Are younger or older Australian school students aged 12-17 years more likely to drink alcohol?
The likelihood of Australian school students aged 12-17 years consuming alcohol increases with age. Those who are younger are more likely to have never consumed alcohol. Older students are more likely to have consumed alcohol in the past year, past month and past week compared to younger students.
In 2017, 57% of Australian students aged 12 years had never consumed alcohol; 17% had consumed alcohol in the past year, 8% in the past month and 4% in the past week.
In 2017, 48% of Australian students aged 13 years had never consumed alcohol; 27% had consumed alcohol in the past year, 11% in the past month and 6% in the past week.
In 2017, 36% of Australian students aged 14 years had never consumed alcohol; 40% had consumed alcohol in the past year, 18% in the past month and 10% in the past week.
In 2017, 26% of Australian students aged 15 years had never consumed alcohol; 56% had consumed alcohol in the past year, 31% in the past month and 17% in the past week.
In 2017, 18% of Australian students aged 16 years had never consumed alcohol; 68% had consumed alcohol in the past year, 45% in the past month and 25% in the past week.
In 2017, 15% of Australian students aged 17 years had never consumed alcohol; 76% had consumed alcohol in the past year, 54% in the past month and 33% in the past week.
Source: Cancer Council Victoria (2018). ASSAD 2017 Statistics & Trends: Australian secondary school students' use of tobacco, alcohol, over-the-counter drugs, and illicit substances.
Please note: Percentages do not tally to 100% as drinking categories (past week, past month, & past year) overlap.