Alcohol Quick Stats
For further data on Alcohol please visit NADK.
Alcohol:
- Costs Australian businesses an estimated $8 billion per year in lost productivity and absenteeism
- Is involved in over 10% of workplace accidents.
- Males are more likely than females to drink at risky levels.
- 87% of Australian workers drink alcohol.
- Approximately 17% (or 1.7 million) of Australian workers drink at risky levels weekly i.e., drinking 4 or more standard drinks in a session.
Some workers and industries are at increased risk of alcohol-related harm:
- Over 1 in 3 workers in construction and utilities drink weekly at risky levels
- Over 1 in 4 workers in hospitality, arts and recreation, utilities, and mining drink at risky levels on a monthly basis
- Young workers under 29 years are:
- most likely to engage in short-term risky drinking
- a high-risk group for workplace injuries.
Traditionally the focus has been on young people but the number of young people drinking at risky levels has reduced significantly. However, increases are occurring among mid-aged and older workers.
Women working from home and home schooling children during the COVID-19 pandemic, appear to be at risk of increased alcohol consumption, whereas men appear to be drinking less. This may be linked to the stress and anxiety associated with juggling heavy domestic loads, working from home, while also trying to home school children. A 2020 article in The Conversation further highlights this issue and the implications for workplaces.
