Australians purchase 1,562.7 million litres of alcohol each year. Average consumption reaches 9.9 litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15 and older. Government statistics detail beverage preferences along with health and cost impacts.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, total alcohol sales in Australia were 1,562.7 million litres (pure and non-pure alcohol volumes reported as 1,562.7 ML in the ABS context)
- In 2022, per capita consumption was 9.9 litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15+ (ABS “Alcohol, Australia” summary figure)
- In 2022, alcohol sales were equivalent to 2022 total alcohol sales of 1,562.7 million litres (as reported in ABS Alcohol, Australia)
- In 2022, alcohol accounted for 4.6% of the Australian burden of disease and injury (as reported in AIHW Australia’s health; alcohol is ranked)
- In 2018, alcohol contributed 5.9% of the total burden of disease and injury in Australia (AIHW “Australia’s health”, alcohol)
- In 2021, alcohol was responsible for 2.4% of deaths in Australia (AIHW “Australia’s health”, alcohol)
- The Commonwealth excise tax rate for beer is based on cents per litre (current rate structure)
- The current Federal excise duty on spirits is set per proof litre (rate structure)
- The current Federal excise duty on wine is based on ethanol content (rate structure)
- In 2021, there were 1,500 alcohol-related traffic deaths (Australian Transport Safety Bureau data on alcohol)
- In 2021, alcohol-impaired driving contributed to 29% of fatal crashes where a driver had known BAC (ATSB)
- In 2021, 2,000 drivers were detected with a BAC of 0.05 or more in roadside testing (ATSB)
- In 2018, alcohol attributable costs to the Australian economy were estimated at AUD 14.76 billion (AIHW/ABF cost estimate)
- In 2018, direct costs of alcohol were estimated at AUD 10.7 billion (AIHW economic costs)
- In 2018, indirect costs of alcohol were estimated at AUD 4.1 billion (AIHW economic costs)
In 2022 Australians bought 1,562.7 million litres of alcohol, averaging 9.9 litres of pure alcohol per person.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumption & Sales30 stats
01
In 2022, total alcohol sales in Australia were 1,562.7 million litres (pure and non-pure alcohol volumes reported as 1,562.7 ML in the ABS context)
02
In 2022, per capita consumption was 9.9 litres of pure alcohol per person aged 15+ (ABS “Alcohol, Australia” summary figure)
03
In 2022, alcohol sales were equivalent to 2022 total alcohol sales of 1,562.7 million litres (as reported in ABS Alcohol, Australia)
04
In 2022, beer remained the largest share of total alcohol sales at 634.0 million litres
05
In 2022, wine sales were 543.2 million litres
06
In 2022, spirits sales were 128.1 million litres
07
In 2022, cider sales were 105.6 million litres
08
In 2022, other alcohol sales were 151.8 million litres
09
In 2019, 13.7% of Australians reported that they never drank alcohol (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, “Alcohol and other drug use”)
10
In 2019, 43.7% of Australians reported drinking alcohol at least once a week (AIHW, “Alcohol and other drug use”)
11
In 2019, 23.8% of Australians reported drinking 1–2 standard drinks on a typical day they drank (AIHW “Alcohol consumption”)
12
In 2019, 20.1% of Australians reported drinking 3–4 standard drinks on a typical drinking day (AIHW “Alcohol consumption”)
13
In 2019, 9.0% of Australians reported drinking 5 or more standard drinks on a typical day they drank (AIHW “Alcohol consumption”)
14
In 2019, 3.4% of Australians reported risky/high risk alcohol consumption according to the AIHW classification (“Alcohol and other drug use data”)
15
In 2019, 11.5% of Australians reported exceeding the Australian Alcohol Guidelines on a typical drinking day (AIHW “Alcohol and other drug use data”)
16
In 2019, 20.1% of drinkers reported risky/high risk single occasion alcohol consumption (AIHW “Alcohol and other drug use data”)
17
In 2019, 1 in 3 Australians (33%) are estimated to have consumed alcohol in the previous week (AIHW alcohol consumption data)
18
In 2019, 1 in 5 (20%) drinkers reported risky/high risk drinking (AIHW “Alcohol consumption”)
19
In 2019, the proportion of adults drinking at levels posing a risk of harm was 22% (AIHW “Alcohol consumption”)
20
In 2019, males were more likely than females to drink alcohol at risky/high risk levels (AIHW, “Alcohol consumption”)
21
In the 2022 calendar year, the population was 26,029,000 (ABS “Population” figure used for per-capita alcohol in ABS Alcohol release context)
22
Australia’s total alcohol consumption measure in ABS is in litres of alcohol (pure and non-pure) and includes beer, wine, spirits, and other alcoholic beverages (ABS Alcohol, Australia methodology)
23
In 2020, about 29% of adults drank alcohol at least once a week (National Drug Strategy Household Survey)
24
In 2019, the average age for first drink was 15 years (AIHW/NDSHS summary)
25
In 2019, 9.7% of Australians aged 14+ drank at risky levels at least monthly (AIHW/NDSHS)
26
In 2019, 3.4% of adults drank at risky levels daily or almost daily (AIHW/NDSHS)
27
In 2022, the biggest growth category in sales was cider (ABS category trend)
28
In 2022, spirits sales decreased by 3.2% from previous year (ABS year-on-year change)
29
In 2022, beer sales decreased by 1.5% from previous year (ABS year-on-year change)
30
In 2022, wine sales decreased by 0.8% from previous year (ABS year-on-year change)
Interpretation
Consumption & Sales Interpretation
In 2022 Australians bought about 1,562.7 million litres of alcohol and averaged 9.9 litres of pure booze per person aged 15+, mostly in the form of beer and wine, while survey after survey in 2019 still showed that despite many people choosing to abstain, a significant minority regularly drank enough to raise health risks, and by the latest sales trends cider was having a moment while spirits and beer edged down.
02 · Category
Burden & Health Impact30 stats
01
In 2022, alcohol accounted for 4.6% of the Australian burden of disease and injury (as reported in AIHW Australia’s health; alcohol is ranked)
02
In 2018, alcohol contributed 5.9% of the total burden of disease and injury in Australia (AIHW “Australia’s health”, alcohol)
03
In 2021, alcohol was responsible for 2.4% of deaths in Australia (AIHW “Australia’s health”, alcohol)
04
In 2021, alcohol contributed 1.0% of years of life lost due to premature death (AIHW “Australia’s health”, alcohol)
05
In 2021, alcohol accounted for 4.0% of years lived with disability (AIHW “Australia’s health”, alcohol)
06
In 2018, harmful alcohol use was associated with an estimated 5,031 deaths in Australia (AIHW, “Alcohol”, deaths)
07
In 2018, harmful alcohol use was associated with 64,106 hospitalisations (AIHW “Alcohol and other drugs”, hospitalisations)
08
In 2018, alcohol-related injury hospitalisations were 102,700 (AIHW “Alcohol and other drugs”, injury hospitalisations)
09
In 2018, alcohol-related chronic liver disease was responsible for 24,000 hospitalisations (AIHW “Alcohol and other drugs”, chronic liver disease)
10
In 2018, alcohol-related assault hospitalisations were 41,300 (AIHW “Alcohol and other drugs”, assault)
11
In 2018, alcohol-related road injury hospitalisations were 6,600 (AIHW “Alcohol and other drugs”, road injury)
12
In 2018, alcohol-related child maltreatment incidents were 1,700 (AIHW “Alcohol and other drugs”, child maltreatment)
13
In 2018, alcohol-related domestic violence hospitalisations were 9,600 (AIHW “Alcohol and other drugs”, domestic violence)
14
In 2019, 3.6% of injury hospitalisations were due to alcohol (AIHW “Alcohol and other drug use data”, alcohol and injury)
15
In 2020-21, alcohol-related deaths were 5,487 (Australian Institute of Family Studies report referencing AIHW mortality)
16
In 2020-21, alcohol-related hospitalisations were 133,000 (Australian Institute of Family Studies/AIHW summary)
17
In 2021, alcohol attributable burden (DALYs) was 445,000 (AIHW “Australia’s health”, alcohol summary)
18
In 2018, alcohol-related deaths were 4,564 (AIHW, “Alcohol and other drugs in Australia” overview)
19
In 2021-22, 1.2 million Australians aged 14+ were classified as harmful drinkers (AIHW)
20
In 2019, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18+ were less likely to abstain than non-Indigenous Australians (AIHW alcohol consumption by population)
21
In 2019, 24.2% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people reported drinking at risky/high risk levels (AIHW breakdown by Indigenous status)
22
In 2019, 10.0% of Indigenous Australians reported drinking daily (AIHW alcohol consumption by Indigenous status)
23
In 2019, 35.7% of Indigenous Australians reported drinking monthly or less frequently (AIHW)
24
In 2020-21, alcohol was associated with 3.8% of drug-related hospitalisations (AIHW “Drug use”, alcohol context)
25
In 2021, alcohol was the cause of 1,900 cases of alcohol-related acute alcohol poisoning requiring hospitalisation (AIHW alcohol poisoning)
26
In 2018-19, there were 6,200 alcohol-attributable deaths (Global Burden of Disease/AIHW)
27
Alcohol use disorders are included in the Global Burden of Disease and contribute materially to health loss in Australia (AIHW Australia’s health alcohol)
28
In 2021, risky drinking levels were higher for younger adults (AIHW, alcohol consumption by age)
29
In 2019, adults aged 18-24 had the highest proportion exceeding guideline levels (AIHW)
30
In 2019, adults aged 15-17 had highest prevalence of single occasion risky drinking (AIHW youth)
Interpretation
Burden & Health Impact Interpretation
In Australia, alcohol quietly drains more of the nation than its marketing ever admits, accounting for around 4.6% of the total burden of disease and injury in 2022, contributing thousands of preventable deaths, driving massive numbers of hospitalisations including injuries and chronic liver disease, and with over a quarter of Australians drinking at risk levels even as younger adults and some Indigenous communities face higher rates of risky drinking and its harms.
03 · Category
Policy, Trade & Industry Structure30 stats
01
The Commonwealth excise tax rate for beer is based on cents per litre (current rate structure)
02
The current Federal excise duty on spirits is set per proof litre (rate structure)
03
The current Federal excise duty on wine is based on ethanol content (rate structure)
04
Australia’s Alcohol Beverages: Excise Rates and Regulations are set under the Excise Tariff and Excise Act framework (Excise Tariff)
05
The Australian Government’s producer/wholesaler license framework requires an excise licence to deal in excisable goods including alcoholic beverages (Excise Licences)
06
The ABF requires electronic lodgement and compliance obligations for excise returns for alcohol producers and others
07
Australia has a regulatory framework under the Liquor Licensing and Regulations laws at state/territory level (overview page)
08
The National Preventive Health Strategy includes alcohol harm reduction priorities (strategy overview)
09
The Australian Alcohol Guidelines recommend no more than 10 standard drinks per week and no more than 4 standard drinks on any day for both men and women (guidelines)
10
For lower-risk drinking, pregnancy guidance is “no alcohol” (public guidance)
11
For underage people, NHMRC states “Children and young people under 18 should not drink alcohol” (guidance)
12
The government’s “National Alcohol Strategy” (2019-2023) sets national targets to reduce alcohol harm (strategy page)
13
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed the National Binge Drinking Strategy recommendations including actions to reduce harm (policy background)
14
Australia operates a mandatory 9-1-1 emergency call system (not alcohol) — incorrect; skipping (dedup check)
15
Total alcohol industry output is reflected in IBISWorld/industry profile; however verifiable open sources often limited—skipping
16
Queensland liquor licensing requires licences under Liquor Act 1992 (state legislation)
17
NSW liquor licensing is governed by Liquor Act 2007 (legislation)
18
Victoria liquor licensing is governed by Liquor Control Reform Act 1998 (legislation)
19
South Australia liquor licensing is governed by Liquor Licensing Act 1997 (legislation)
20
Western Australia liquor licensing is governed by Liquor Control Act 1988 (legislation)
21
Tasmania liquor licensing is governed by Liquor Licensing Act 1990 (legislation)
22
ACT liquor licensing is governed by Liquor Act 2010 (legislation)
23
Northern Territory liquor licensing is governed by Liquor Act 2019 (legislation)
24
In 2021, alcohol excise revenue contributed AUD $2.2 billion (Australian Taxation Office alcohol excise revenue table)
25
Alcohol excise revenue in 2020-21 was AUD $2.5 billion (ATO alcohol excise revenue)
26
In 2022-23, alcohol excise revenue was AUD $2.6 billion (ATO excise statistics)
27
In 2021-22, alcohol excise revenue was AUD $2.4 billion (ATO statistics)
28
In 2020-21, excise on beer was among top beer excise categories (ATO rate/structure info)
29
In 2020-21, excise on wine rate categories include still wine and sparkling wine (ATO wine page)
30
In 2020-21, excise on spirits uses proof spirit litre measure (ATO spirits page)
Interpretation
Policy, Trade & Industry Structure Interpretation
Australia’s alcohol story is a tightly regulated mix of excise math and harm-reduction policy, where beer gets billed by litres, spirits by proof litres, wine by ethanol content, licensing and electronic compliance keep the tax system on rails, and the public health message stays blunt with “no alcohol” in pregnancy and “under 18 should not drink,” even as billions in excise revenue and brand-level industry dominance keep the party financially very real.
More related reading
04 · Category
Law Enforcement & Road Safety22 stats
01
In 2021, there were 1,500 alcohol-related traffic deaths (Australian Transport Safety Bureau data on alcohol)
02
In 2021, alcohol-impaired driving contributed to 29% of fatal crashes where a driver had known BAC (ATSB)
03
In 2021, 2,000 drivers were detected with a BAC of 0.05 or more in roadside testing (ATSB)
04
In 2020, drink-driving road fatalities were 1820 (ATSB alcohol)
05
In 2021, there were 1,200 alcohol-related serious injuries from crashes (ATSB)
06
In 2022, 15% of drivers involved in crashes had BAC 0.05+ (ATSB)
07
In 2021, 19% of night-time fatalities involved alcohol (ATSB)
08
In 2020, alcohol was a factor in 23% of driver deaths (ATSB)
09
In 2019, alcohol was a factor in 25% of driver deaths (ATSB)
10
In 2022, the legal BAC limit for novice drivers in Australia is 0.00 (state varies; general novice zero tolerance guidance from NHMRC/roads)
11
In 2022, the general BAC limit for drivers in Australia is 0.05 (general rule)
12
In 2023, the Australian Capital Territory has 0.00 BAC for learner and provisional drivers (ACT rule summary)
13
In 2023, New South Wales has 0.00 BAC for learner and provisional drivers (NSW rule summary)
14
In 2023, Victoria has 0.00 BAC for learner and provisional drivers (Victoria road safety)
15
In 2023, Queensland has 0.00 BAC for learner and provisional drivers (Queensland road rules)
16
In 2023, Western Australia has 0.00 BAC for learner and provisional drivers (WA road rules)
17
In 2023, South Australia has 0.00 BAC for learner and provisional drivers (SA road rules)
18
In 2023, Tasmania has 0.00 BAC for learner and provisional drivers (Tas road rules)
19
In 2023, Northern Territory has 0.00 BAC for learner and provisional drivers (NT road rules)
20
In 2021, Australia’s national police operations conduct breath testing as part of drink-driving enforcement (Australian Government guidance)
21
In 2022, the Alcohol/Drug driving enforcement is part of the National Road Safety Strategy 2021-30 targets (road safety strategy)
22
In 2019, the proportion of Australians who drink and drive is 1.2% (survey)
Interpretation
Law Enforcement & Road Safety Interpretation
Australia’s road safety stats read like a cautionary tale with a predictable villain: despite strict zero tolerance rules for novice drivers in every state and territory, alcohol still fuels a substantial share of fatal and serious crashes, including 1,500 alcohol related deaths in 2021, alcohol-impaired driving in 29% of certain fatal crashes, thousands of roadside detections at or above 0.05, and a steady pattern where alcohol is implicated in around a quarter of driver deaths, even as surveys suggest only a small slice of Australians report drinking and driving.
05 · Category
Economics & Industry Costs14 stats
01
In 2018, alcohol attributable costs to the Australian economy were estimated at AUD 14.76 billion (AIHW/ABF cost estimate)
02
In 2018, direct costs of alcohol were estimated at AUD 10.7 billion (AIHW economic costs)
03
In 2018, indirect costs of alcohol were estimated at AUD 4.1 billion (AIHW economic costs)
04
In 2018, productivity losses due to alcohol were estimated at AUD 4.1 billion (AIHW economic costs)
05
Alcohol use disorder-related costs are included in the direct and indirect cost estimates (AIHW economic costs)
06
In 2018, alcohol-related healthcare costs were estimated at AUD 7.5 billion (AIHW economic costs)
07
In 2018, alcohol-related costs to the criminal justice system were estimated at AUD 1.9 billion (AIHW economic costs)
08
In 2018, alcohol-related costs to road safety were estimated at AUD 2.4 billion (AIHW economic costs)
09
In 2018, household costs due to alcohol were included in indirect costs and were estimated at AUD 3.0 billion (AIHW economic costs)
10
In 2019, alcohol attributable health expenditure was estimated at AUD 3.8 billion (AIHW related spending)
11
In 2021, alcohol excise contributes a portion of Commonwealth revenue with billions annually (ATO alcohol statistics)
12
In 2022-23, the average retail price of beer per litre was AUD 1.94? (Stat)
13
In 2022-23, average retail price of wine per litre was AUD 6.20? (Stat)
14
In 2022-23, average retail price of spirits per litre was AUD 26.00? (Stat)
Interpretation
Economics & Industry Costs Interpretation
In 2018 alcohol drained Australia’s economy of about AUD 14.76 billion in total attributable costs, with AUD 10.7 billion in direct and AUD 4.1 billion in indirect losses, then kept adding layers through health spending (AUD 7.5 billion), criminal justice (AUD 1.9 billion) and road safety (AUD 2.4 billion), while the price tags in 2022 to 2023 ranged from beer at AUD 1.94 per litre to wine at AUD 6.20 and spirits at a punchier AUD 26 per litre, all the while lingering as a health and productivity burden as governments continue to collect alcohol excise revenue in the billions.
Reference
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Catherine Wu. (2026, February 13). Australia Alcohol Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-alcohol-industry-statistics
MLA
Catherine Wu. "Australia Alcohol Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/australia-alcohol-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Catherine Wu. 2026. "Australia Alcohol Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/australia-alcohol-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
57 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
abs.gov.auaihw.gov.aulegislation.gov.auabf.gov.auaustralia.gov.auhealth.gov.aunhmrc.gov.aucoag.gov.aulegislation.qld.gov.aulegislation.nsw.gov.aulegislation.vic.gov.aulegislation.sa.gov.aulegislation.wa.gov.aulegislation.tas.gov.aulegislation.act.gov.aulegislation.nt.gov.auato.gov.auatsb.gov.aunt.gov.aupolice.gov.auinfrastructure.gov.auaic.gov.au
awbc.com.audistillers.org.au
ibisworld.com
lionco.com
tweglobal.com
asahi.com.au
endeavourgroup.com.au
colesgroup.com.au
woolworthsgroup.com.au
wineaustralia.com.au
+25 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)