In 2019, the average age at which Australians aged 14 years and older consumed their first serve of alcohol was 17 years. However, the average age at which 14-24 year olds consumed their first serve of alcohol was 16 years.

There were approximately 209 million litres of pure alcohol made available in Australia in 2019-20, a 0.7% decrease from 2018-19. This comprised approximately 72 million litres of beer, 87 million litres of wine, 44 million litres of spirits, and 5 million litres of cider. 

This equates to approximately 10 litres of alcohol available for consumption per capita (aged 15+), or 4 litres of wine, 4  litres of beer, 2 litres of spirits and 0.3 litres of cider.

Australian households spent an average of AU$31.95 per week on alcohol beverages in 2015-16.

The alcohol beverages most commonly consumed by Australians are bottled wine (34%), regular strength beer (19%), and bottled spirits/liqueur (15%).

Australian men and women drink different types of alcohol beverages. Men are most likely to drink regular strength beer whilst women are most likely to drink bottled wine.

Younger and older Australians drink different types of alcohol beverages. Those aged 14-17 years are most likely to drink pre-mixed spirits, the popularity of which tends to decrease with age. Those aged 30 years and older are most likely to drink bottled wine, the popularity of which tends to increase with age.