Quantity of Consumption
How much alcohol do Australians usually drink?
On a single occasion of drinking, the majority of Australians (59%) usually consume 4 or less standard drinks.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2018).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. In addition, the proportion of abstainers may differ from the proportion presented in the Risky Consumption section due to differences in response rates for this measure.
Single Occasion of Drinking: Any time a person consumes one or more drinks containing alcohol, and during this period of time their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does not return to zero.
Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.
Do men or women in Australia drink more alcohol?
Australian men usually drink more alcohol than women on a single occasion of drinking. Women are more likely than men to drink 1-2 standard drinks per occasion, and are also more likely to be abstainers.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2018).
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. In addition, the proportion of abstainers may differ from the proportion presented in the Risky Consumption section due to differences in response rates for this measure.
Single Occasion of Drinking: Any time a person consumes one or more drinks containing alcohol, and during this period of time their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does not return to zero.
Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.
Do younger or older Australians drink more alcohol?
The quantity of alcohol usually consumed on a single occasion of drinking differs by age group. Australians aged 18-24 years generally drink more standard drinks on a single occasion than any other age group. Those aged 70+ years are most likely to drink 2 or less standard drinks.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2016 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2018).
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
** Estimate has a relative standard error greater than 50% and is considered too unreliable for general use.
Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. In addition, the proportion of abstainers may differ from the proportion presented in the Risky Consumption section due to differences in response rates for this measure.
Single Occasion of Drinking: Any time a person consumes one or more drinks containing alcohol, and during this period of time their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) does not return to zero.
Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.
Do levels of alcohol in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?
The amount of alcohol found in Australian wastewater varies across jurisdictions†.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission reported that the Northern Territory had the highest levels of alcohol, whilst regional South Australia had the lowest. In other parts of Australia, alcohol levels were generally similar. On average, alcohol use was similar in regional and capital cities.
Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2019). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 7.
†This FAQ uses data from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. Alcohol consumption refers to ethanol consumption. Further information on the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program is available here.