Young People
This section contains information about the cannabis use patterns of Australian school students who are under 18 years of age.
Data on Australian school students aged 12-17 years is derived from the 2022-23 Australian Secondary School Students’ Alcohol and Drug (ASSAD) Survey (Cancer Council Victoria, 2024).
What proportion of Australian school students aged 12-17 years have used cannabis?
The majority (87%) of Australian school students aged 12-17 years have never used cannabis. Twelve percent have used cannabis in the past year; 7% in the past month; and 4% in the past week.
Source: Scully, M, Koh, I, Bain, E, Wakefield, M, & Durkin, S (2023). ASSAD 2022-23: Australian secondary school students' use of alcohol and other substances. Cancer Council Victoria, Australia.
Are male or female Australian school students aged 12-17 years more likely to have used cannabis?
Similar proportions of male and female students aged 12-17 years have used cannabis.
Source: Scully, M, Koh, I, Bain, E, Wakefield, M, & Durkin, S (2023). ASSAD 2022-23: Australian secondary school students' use of alcohol and other substances. Cancer Council Victoria, Australia.
Please note: This FAQ uses data from the Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug Survey, in which differences were considered significant at p<.01.
Are younger or older Australian school students aged 12-17 years more likely to have used cannabis?
Among Australian school students aged 12-17 years, cannabis use increases with age. Older students (16-17) are significantly more likely to have used cannabis in their lifetime, in the past year, past month and past week compared to younger students.
Source: Scully, M, Koh, I, Bain, E, Wakefield, M, & Durkin, S (2023). ASSAD 2022-23: Australian secondary school students' use of alcohol and other substances. Cancer Council Victoria, Australia.
Please note: This FAQ uses data from the Australian Secondary Students’ Alcohol and Drug Survey, in which differences were considered significant at p<.01.
What are the most common ways Australian school students aged 12-17 years use cannabis?
Among Australian school students aged 12-17 years who used cannabis in the past year, 56% smoked it in a bong and 30% smoked it as a joint.
Source: Scully, M, Koh, I, Bain, E, Wakefield, M, & Durkin, S (2023). ASSAD 2022-23: Australian secondary school students' use of alcohol and other substances. Cancer Council Victoria, Australia.
Where do Australian school students aged 12-17 years usually use cannabis?
Among Australian school students aged 12-17 years who used cannabis in the past year, 39% used at a friend’s home, 19% in their own home, 15% at a party, and 14% in a park on the most recent occasion.
Source: Scully, M, Koh, I, Bain, E, Wakefield, M, & Durkin, S (2023). ASSAD 2022-23: Australian secondary school students' use of alcohol and other substances. Cancer Council Victoria, Australia.