Overview
The National Alcohol Strategy 2019–2028 provides a national framework to prevent and minimise alcohol-related harms in Australia. It sets out priority areas and evidence-based policy options aiming for a 10% reduction in harmful alcohol consumption by 2028.
Aims and Strategic Principles
- Aim to prevent and minimise alcohol-related harms among individuals, families, and communities.
- Target a 10% reduction in harmful alcohol use, including both single-occasion and lifetime risk consumption.
- Emphasise harm minimisation, evidence-based action, collaboration, innovation, and people-centred responses.
- Acknowledge the need for both population-wide and targeted strategies based on jurisdictional priorities.
Alcohol-Related Harm in Australia
- Overall per capita alcohol consumption is stable or declining, but 1 in 4 Australians drink at risky levels.
- Alcohol is linked to over 4,000 deaths annually, significant violence, crime, and productivity losses.
- Certain populations (e.g., Indigenous people, those in remote areas, pregnant women, youth, older adults, LGBTIQ, CALD groups) are disproportionately affected.
- Many harms include disease burden, violence, road trauma, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, and workplace impacts.
Priority Areas of Focus
Improving Community Safety and Amenity
- Reduce alcohol-related violence, crime, and anti-social behaviour.
- Support evidence-informed policies for safer public and private drinking environments.
- Promote initiatives addressing drink driving and repeat offences.
Managing Availability, Price, and Promotion
- Strengthen controls on alcohol access and licensing, particularly to protect minors.
- Employ pricing/taxation reforms (such as minimum floor price) to reduce risky consumption.
- Limit alcohol advertising, especially to youth, and address digital media exposure.
Supporting Individuals and Systems to Respond
- Ensure timely access to a range of treatment, support, and referral services.
- Encourage screening and early intervention in primary care and other settings.
- Promote specialist services and targeted information for at-risk populations (e.g., pregnant women, those with FASD).
Promoting Healthier Communities
- Increase awareness and understanding of alcohol-related harms, especially among high-risk groups.
- Support public health campaigns and evidence-based guidelines (e.g., NHMRC guidelines).
- Encourage cultural change towards lower-risk drinking.
Governance and Monitoring
- Oversight by Ministerial Drug and Alcohol Forum (MDAF) and National Drug Strategy Committee (NDSC).
- Regular progress reporting, including a mid-point review and three-yearly reports.
- Utilise comprehensive data sources and performance indicators to track strategy impact.
Policy Options and Approaches
- Restrict trading hours and outlet density.
- Ban discounts/promotions linked to risky drinking.
- Enforce responsible service of alcohol and dry community declarations.
- Expand digital health and information resources.
- Invest in workforce development and cross-sectoral partnerships.
Australian Alcohol Guidelines (Summary)
- No more than two standard drinks daily for lifetime risk reduction.
- No more than four standard drinks per single occasion to lower injury risk.
- Abstinence for those under 18, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Action Items
- Annual – NDSC: Submit progress reports and framework updates to MDAF.
- Triennially – NDSC: Provide comprehensive report to COAG on reduction of harmful alcohol use.
- TBD – All Jurisdictions: Implement evidence-based actions tailored to local priorities, focusing on identified priority groups and policy options.