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.
15% of Australians living in New South Wales have used cocaine in their lifetime and 5% have used in the past 12 months.
14% of Australians living in Victoria have used cocaine in their lifetime and 5% have used in the past 12 months.
12% of Australians living in Queensland have used cocaine in their lifetime and 4% have used in the past 12 months.
13% of Australians living in Western Australia have used cocaine in their lifetime and 3% have used in the past 12 months.
12% of Australians living in South Australia have used cocaine in their lifetime and 4% have used in the past 12 months.
8% of Australians living in Tasmania have used cocaine in their lifetime and 1%* have used in the past 12 months.
9% of Australians living in Australian Capital Territory have cocaine in their lifetime and 2% have used in the past 12 months.
17% of Australians living in Northern Territory have used cocaine in their lifetime and 4% have used in the past 12 months.
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.