Do younger and older Australian school students aged 12-17 years usually drink different alcohol beverages?

Both younger and older Australian school students aged 12-17 years who drank alcohol in the past week usually drank premixed spirits. Wine was more common among younger students.

In 2017, 32% of Australian school students aged 12-15 years and 40% of those aged 16-17 years, who drank alcohol in the past week, usually drank premixed spirits.

In 2017, 25% of Australian school students aged 12-15 years and 20% of those aged 16-17 years, who drank alcohol in the past week, usually drank beer.

In 2017, 19% of Australian school students aged 12-15 years and 20% of those aged 16-17 years, who drank alcohol in the past week, usually drank spirits.

In 2017, 7% of Australian school students aged 12-15 years and 9% of those aged 16-17 years, who drank alcohol in the past week, usually drank alcoholic energy drinks.

In 2017, 7% of Australian school students aged 12-15 years and 4% of those aged 16-17 years, who drank alcohol in the past week, usually drank wine.

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 only the five most common beverage types selected are reported.