Drinking Habits
What is the average age at which Australians start to drink alcohol?
In 2022-23, 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.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
How many litres of alcohol do Australians drink each year?
There were approximately 225 million litres of pure alcohol made available in Australia in 2019-20, an 8.1% increase from 2019-20. This comprised approximately 71 million litres of beer, 95 million litres of wine, 54 million litres of spirits, and 6 million litres of cider.
This equates to approximately 10.5 litres of pure alcohol available for consumption per capita (aged 15+), or 4.4 litres of wine, 3.3 litres of beer, 2.5 litres of spirits and 0.3 litres of cider.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024). Apparent Consumption of Alcohol, in Australia.
Please note: The pure alcohol available for consumption figures will overestimate the true level of alcohol consumed as beverages, as adjustments cannot be made for wastage and other factors such as for alcohol used in cooking.
How much money do Australian households spend on alcohol each week?
Australian households spent an average of AU$31.95 per week on alcohol beverages in 2015-16.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2017). Household Expenditure Survey 2015-16.
Which alcohol beverages do Australians usually drink?
The alcohol beverages most commonly consumed by Australians are bottled wine (33%), regular strength beer (19%), and bottled spirits/liqueur (16%).
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
Do Australian men and women drink different types of alcohol beverages?
Australian men and women drink different types of alcohol beverages. Men are significantly more likely to drink regular strength beer whilst women are significantly more likely to drink bottled wine, pre-mixed spirits and cider.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. Significance is established as p<0.05. Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Do younger and older Australians drink different types of alcohol beverages?
Younger and older Australians drink different types of alcohol beverages. Those aged 14-17 years are significantly more likely to drink pre-mixed spirits, the popularity of which tends to decrease with age. Those aged 30 years and older are significantly more likely to drink bottled wine, the popularity of which tends to increase with age.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. Some values have not been published because of small numbers, confidentiality, or other concerns about the quality of data. Significance is established as p<0.05.