Do levels of methamphetamine in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?
The amount of methylamphetamine found in Australian wastewater varies substantially between Australian jurisdictions†.
National methylamphetamine consumption reached a record high of 15,791 kg in 2024–25, increasing by 23% from the previous year. New South Wales recorded the highest estimated consumption, followed by Victoria and Queensland. Consumption levels were generally higher in regional areas than in capital cities.
Estimated methylamphetamine consumption for April 2025 in mass consumed per day (left axis) and doses per day (right axis) per thousand people^
Estimated average consumption of methylamphetamine by state/territory, August 2022 to June 2025.
^ The number of collection days varied from 5-7 days
Source: Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (2025). National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program: Report 25. Canberra: ACIC.
† This FAQ uses data from the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program. Methylamphetamine excretion was measured. Methylamphetamine is also commonly known as methamphetamine. No attempt was made to differentiate amphetamine use from the proportion of methylamphetamine excreted as amphetamine.