Do the levels of pharmaceutical drugs in wastewater in Australia vary by geographic location?
Oxycodone and fentanyl use vary substantially between Australian jurisdictions and between capital city and regional areas†. In most jurisdictions, average consumption is higher in capital cities than in regional areas, although some exceptions occur.
Estimated oxycodone consumption for August 2025 in mass consumed per day (left axis) and doses per day (right axis) per thousand people^
Estimated fentanyl consumption for August 2025 in mass consumed per day (left axis) and doses per day (right axis) per thousand people^
Estimated average consumption of oxycodone by state/territory, August 2023 to October 2025 in mg/day per thousand people (left axis) and doses/day per thousand people (right)
Estimated average consumption of fentanyl by state/territory, August 2023 to October 2025 in mg/day per thousand people (left axis) and doses/day per thousand people (right)
^ 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.
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, which measures the major metabolite of oxycodone and fentanyl, two legally prescribed pharmaceuticals with abuse potential. Please note that wastewater analysis cannot differentiate between prescribed use and use for non-medical purposes.