In which industries are Australian employees more likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury?

In general, Australians employed in mining and construction are most likely to drink at levels that increase their risk of alcohol-related disease or injury.

20% of Australians employed in agriculture abstain from alcohol, 39% drink alcohol at low risk levels, and 41% drink alcohol at levels that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.

10% of Australians working in mining abstain from alcohol, 37% drink alcohol at low risk levels, and 53% drink alcohol at levels that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.

19% of Australians employed in manufacturing abstain from alcohol, 48% drink alcohol at low risk levels and 32% drink alcohol at levels that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.

10% of Australians employed in utilities abstain from alcohol, 44% drink alcohol at low risk levels, and 46% drink alcohol at levels that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.

13% of Australians employed in construction abstain from alcohol, 41% drink alcohol at low risk levels, and 46% drink alcohol at levels that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.

20% of Australians employed in wholesale abstain from alcohol, 43% drink alcohol at low risk levels, and 36% drink alcohol at levels that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.

21% of Australians employed in retail abstain from alcohol, 47% drink alcohol at low risk levels, and 32% drink alcohol at levels that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.

26% of Australians employed in hospitality abstain from alcohol, 42% drink alcohol at low risk levels, and 32% drink alcohol at levels that increased their risk of alcohol-related disease of injury.

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.

Increased risk of alcohol-related disease or injury: Consumed more than 10 standard drinks per week, or drank more than 4 standard drinks on a single day at least once a month, on average (as per the Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking

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