The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) is the key population survey among Australian people aged 14 years and older regarding use of, and attitudes towards, alcohol, tobacco, e-cigarettes/vapes, and illicit drug use in Australia. The survey also gathers information about drug-related attitudes, perceptions and support for government policies. The NDSHS has been conducted roughly every three years since 1985. The 2025 NDSHS will mark the 15th in the series and the 10th managed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) with funding from the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. The survey aims to gather data from at least 20,000 Australian people aged 14 and over. It will collect data on: 

  • Demographic characteristics 
  • Attitudes of Australians towards a range of drug-related issues including their perception of the health risk associated with drug use 
  • Patterns of drug use, method of use, source of supply and patterns of injecting drug use 
  • Experiences of drug-related verbal and/or physical abuse and activities undertaken while under the influence of alcohol or illicit drugs 
  • Attitudes towards drug-related policy, interventions and legislation 
  • Health status and mental health. 

Results from the survey will inform policy, monitor trends and evaluate progress under the National Drug Strategy 2017–26.

Collection details
Variables to support reporting and linkage
  • Age (Date of birth)
  • Sex/gender
  • Indigenous status
  • RA
  • SA1
  • SA2
  • SA3
  • SA4
  • SEIFA
  • Statistical linkage key

Temporal coverage 

from 23/06/2025

Geographical coverage

National and State

Other

Data availability

  • Publications
  • Summary tables published in electronic form
  • Statistics
Client specified tables on request which may be subject to data provider approval (charges apply); Restricted unit record access subject to Ethics Committee approval and/or the agreement of all relevant data custodians in all states and territories (charges may apply).

Data scope 

Private dwellings from people aged 14 years or older. Excluded from sampling were non-private dwellings (hotels, motels, boarding houses, etc.) and institutional settings (hospitals, nursing homes, other clinical settings such as drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres, prisons, military establishments and university halls of residence). Persons who were homeless were also excluded as well as the territories of Jervis Bay, Christmas Island and Cocos Island.

Methodology 

Survey

External links and information 

National Drug Strategy Household Survey 2025

Contact

[email protected]