Statistics and Indicators

In 2017, around three-quarters (77.1%) of secondary students surveyed described themselves as non-drinkers. Males (78.3%) were no more likely than females (75.9%) to be non-drinkers.

The 2009 NHMRC Australian drinking guidelines recommend no alcohol consumption as the safest option for people under 18. 

Please note that this indicator was updated in 2022 and replaces all previous versions. 

The following estimates have a relative standard error between 25% and 50% and should be used with caution:

2014 and 2017 persons who describe themselves as light drinkers
2011, 2014 and 2017 males who describe themselves as light drinkers
2008, 2011 and 2014 females who describe themselves as light drinkers
2017 persons who describe themselves as party drinkers
2017 males who describe themselves as party drinkers
2014 and 2017 females who describe themselves as party drinkers
2011 and 2014 persons who describe themselves as heavy drinkers
2008, 2011 and 2014 males who describe themselves as heavy drinkers
1999 females who describe themselves as heavy drinkers

The following estimates have not been published due to a relative standard error greater than 50% or small numbers:

2017 females who describe themselves as light drinkers
2017 persons who describe themselves as heavy drinkers
2017 males who describe themselves as heavy drinkers
1996, 2002, 2005, 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2017 females who describe themselves as heavy drinkers

For the purpose of reporting the Australian Secondary Students' Alcohol and Drug survey data on HealthStats, if the 95% confidence intervals of the estimates do not overlap, they are considered to be significantly different.