Does methamphetamine / amphetamine use in Australia vary by jurisdiction?
Australians living in Victoria or Tasmania are significantly more likely to have used methamphetamine or amphetamine† in the past 12 months compared to those living in Queensland. Other jurisdictions were similarly likely to have used methamphetamine or amphetamine.
0.9% of Australians living in New South Wales have used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months.
1.4% of Australians living in Victoria have used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months.
0.6% of Australians living in Queensland have used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months.
0.8% of Australians living in Western Australia have used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months.
1.1% of Australians living in South Australia have used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months.
2.2% of Australians living in Tasmania have used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months.
1.4*% of Australians living in Australian Capital Territory have used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months.
1.8% of Australians living in Northern Territory have used methamphetamine or amphetamine in the past 12 months.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Significance is established as p<0.05.
† Methamphetamine or amphetamine: The NDSHS asked about the use of methamphetamine and amphetamine (including the street names speed, crystal and ice) in 2022–2023. In 2019 and prior years, the NDSHS asked about the use of “Meth/amphetamines”, which also included the non‑medical use of pharmaceutical amphetamines, such as Ritalin (methylphenidate) and pseudoephedrine based cold and flu tablets. The change represents a break in the timeseries. Results for methamphetamine and amphetamine in 2022–2023 should not be compared to meth/amphetamines results from previous survey waves.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.