Crime
This section provides information about cocaine-related crime (including arrests and trafficking), as well as Australian legislation regarding cocaine use.
The primary data source utilised in this section is the Australian Crime Commission's Illicit Drug Data Report 2020-21. This report contains illicit drug data collected annually by the Australian Crime Commission from state and territory police services, the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Customs and Border Protection Services, and forensic laboratories.
What are the legal penalties for using cocaine?
Cocaine is a controlled drug in Australia. According to the Therapeutic Goods (Poisons Standard—June 2026) Instrument 2026, cocaine is a ‘Schedule 8’ drug.
It is generally illegal to possess, use, manufacture, import, export or supply cocaine without lawful authority. Penalties vary between Australian jurisdictions and may include fines, imprisonment, and disqualification from driving. It is also an offence in all jurisdictions to drive under the influence of cocaine, and in most jurisdictions to drive with cocaine present in oral fluid, blood or other prescribed bodily samples.
Some states and territories operate police or court diversion programs that may provide treatment or education options for people apprehended with small quantities of illicit drugs, including cocaine, instead of proceeding through the criminal justice system.
Source: Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Poisons Standard (2025); Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Illicit Drug Data Report.
How many cocaine arrests are made each year in Australia?
In 2020-21, there were 5,958 arrests related to cocaine in Australia. Of these, 73% were consumer arrests and 27% were provider arrests.
Source: Australian Crime Commission (2023). Illicit Drug Data Report 2020-21.
Consumer Arrests: The Australian Crime Commission differentiates between people who have been apprehended for trading in, as opposed to using, illicit drugs. Those charged with user-type offences (possessing or administering drugs for their own use) are classified as consumers.
Provider Arrests: The Australian Crime Commission differentiates between people who have been apprehended for trading in, as opposed to using, illicit drugs. Those charged with supply-type offences (importation, trafficking, selling, cultivation and manufacture) are classified as providers.
How much cocaine is seized by police each year in Australia?
In 2020-21, there were 6,452 cocaine seizures in Australia, weighing a total of 4,421 kilograms. The weight of cocaine seized more than doubled since the last reporting period, increasing 181% from 1,574 kilograms in 2019–20.
Source: Australian Crime Commission (2023). Illicit Drug Data Report 2020-21.
How much cocaine is trafficked each year in Australia?
In 2020-21 there were 2,169 cocaine border detections in Australia. This amounted to a total weight of 2,576 kilograms, more than double the previous record weight in 2016–17 (1,110 kilograms).
Source: Australian Crime Commission (2023). Illicit Drug Data Report 2020-21.