Use
This section provides information about the ways in which Australians use cocaine. It addresses how much and how often Australians use cocaine, the most common types used, and methods and locations of use.
The primary source of data used in this section is the 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2024). The NDSHS is a triennial general population survey of Australians' awareness, attitudes, and behaviours relating to alcohol and other drug use. It is the best data source available to provide a national population demographic profile of Australians’ cocaine use behaviours.
Given the small proportion of Australian youth who use cocaine, there is little reliable and meaningful data about this population group available. As a result, this section presents only one FAQ, drawn from the 2022-23 Australian Secondary School Students’ Alcohol and Drug (ASSAD) Survey (Cancer Council Victoria, 2024).
What proportion of Australians have used cocaine?
Fourteen percent of Australians have used cocaine in their lifetime, 5% have used in the past 12 months, 2% have used in the past month, and 0.5% have used in the past week.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Has the prevalence of cocaine use in Australia changed over time?
In 2001, 4% of Australians had used cocaine in their lifetime and 1% had used in the past 12 months. By comparison, in 2022-23, 14% of Australians had used in their lifetime and 5% in the past 12 months.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Are men or women in Australia more likely to have used cocaine?
Australian men are significantly more likely than women to have used cocaine in their lifetime (15% vs 12%) and in the past year (5% vs 4%).
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Please note: Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers. Significance is established at p<0.05.
Are younger or older Australians more likely to have used cocaine?
In general, cocaine use is highest among young adults in Australia, particularly those aged 25-39 years. After the age of 40, use declines with age. Teenagers (aged 14-17) also have low rates of use.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Significance is established as p<0.05.
* 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.
Is the employment status of Australians related to cocaine use?
Australians who are currently employed are significantly more likely to have used cocaine in the past 12 months. Six percent of employed Australians used cocaine in the past 12 months, compared to 4% of unemployed Australians, and 1% of Australians who are not in the labour force.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Significance is set at p<.05.
Employment Status: Whether an individual is currently: a) employed; b) unemployed; or c) not in the labour force.
Employed: Self-employed or working for salary or wages.
Not in the Labour Force: Engaged in home duties, volunteer/charity work, student, retiree/pensioner, other.
Unemployed: Those who are not currently working and are actively seeking employment.
What is the average age at which Australians start to use cocaine?
Among Australians (aged 14 years and older) who have ever used cocaine, the average age at which they first tried it was 24 years.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
What is the main form of cocaine used by Australians?
Among Australians who used cocaine in the past 12 months, the majority (99%) reported that cocaine powder was the main form that they used. Less than 1% used other forms of cocaine.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
Types of cocaine included in the ‘other’ category include crack cocaine (smokeable crystal) and other forms.
Has the main form of cocaine used by Australians changed over time?
In 2007, 96% of Australians reported that powder was the main form of cocaine that they used, compared to 99% in 2022-23.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
* 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.
Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
Data is not available for ‘other’ forms of cocaine in 2010 and 2013 due to small numbers, confidentiality or other concerns about the quality of the data.
How do Australians use cocaine?
Among Australians who used cocaine in the past 12 months, most (98%) reported that snorting was their main method of use.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Methods of use included in the ‘other’ category include smoking, swallowing, injecting, and other.
Does cocaine use in Australia vary by geographic location?
Australians who live in major cities are significantly more likely to have used cocaine in their lifetime and in the past year, compared to those who live in regional/remote locations.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Significance is set at p<.05
Does cocaine use in Australia vary by jurisdiction?
Cocaine use varies according to jurisdiction. Rates of lifetime and past year cocaine use in different jurisdictions are presented in the graph below.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Where do Australians obtain cocaine?
The majority (69%) of Australians who used cocaine in the past 12 months usually obtained it from a friend, followed by a dealer (23%).
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey
How often do Australians use cocaine?
Among Australians who used cocaine in the past 12 months, most (58%) used it once or twice per year.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey.
Do men or women in Australia use cocaine more often?
Among Australians who used cocaine the past 12 months, the majority of both women and men used once or twice per year. Men were significantly more likely that have used about once per month.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Please note: Australians who identify as non-binary or a different gender identity were not able to be included in the current analyses due to small numbers. Significance is established at p<0.05.
* Estimate has a relative standard error of 25% to 50% and should be used with caution.
Do younger or older Australians use cocaine more often?
In general, Australians of all ages tend to use cocaine with similar frequency, with the largest proportion of all age groups using once or twice per year.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). 2022-23 National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NCETA secondary analysis, 2024).
Significance is established as p<0.05.
* 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.
Percentages may not tally to 100% due to rounding.
Do levels of cocaine in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?
The amount of cocaine found in Australian wastewater varies substantially between Australian jurisdictions†.
In general, consumption was higher in capital cities compared to regional areas, with Sydney recording the highest mean consumption.
Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2024). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 23. Canberra: ACIC.
† This FAQ uses data from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. Further information on the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program is available here.
- What proportion of Australians have used cocaine?
- Has the prevalence of cocaine use in Australia changed over time?
- Are men or women in Australia more likely to have used cocaine?
- Are younger or older Australians more likely to have used cocaine?
- Is the employment status of Australians related to cocaine use?
- What is the average age at which Australians start to use cocaine?
- What is the main form of cocaine used by Australians?
- Has the main form of cocaine used by Australians changed over time?
- How do Australians use cocaine?
- Does cocaine use in Australia vary by geographic location?
- Does cocaine use in Australia vary by jurisdiction?
- Where do Australians obtain cocaine?
- How often do Australians use cocaine?
- Do men or women in Australia use cocaine more often?
- Do younger or older Australians use cocaine more often?
- Do levels of cocaine in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?