Do men or women in Australia drink more alcohol?

Australian men usually drink more than women on a day they have alcohol. Women are more likely than men to drink two or less standard drinks per occasion (63% vs 43%).

Among Australian men who drink alcohol, 43% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 27% have 3-4 standard drinks; 13% have 5-6 standard drinks; 11% have 7-10 standard drinks; 2% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 4% have 13 or more standard drinks.

Among Australian women who drink alcohol, 63% usually have 2 or less standard drinks on a day they drink alcohol; 21% have 3-4 standard drinks; 7% have 5-6 standard drinks; 6% have 7-10 standard drinks; 0.9% have 11-12 standard drinks; and 1% have 13 or more standard drinks.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2019 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2021).

Please note: Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding. 

Standard Drink: A drink that contains 10 grams (or 12.5 millilitres) of alcohol.