Alcohol and other drug treatment services in Australia annual report 2024–25

In 2024–25, 244,411 treatment episodes were provided by a mix of government and non-government agencies who deliver publicly funded alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services.

In 2024–25:

• 7 in 10 (69%) of AOD treatment agencies (service outlets) were non-government.
  • Non-government agencies provided 72% of all treatment episodes.
• Across states and territories, the proportion of non-government services ranged from 62% in South Australia to 99% in Victoria.
  • The exception was New South Wales, where 3 in 5 (58%) of AOD treatment agencies were government services (Figure 1).
• Over half (55%) of all agencies were located in Major cities.
  • 7 in 10 (70%) of agencies located in Major cities were non-government agencies (tables Agcy.1–3).

Between 2015–16 and 2024–25, the proportion of non-government services increased from 58% to 69% nationally.

The main treatment type and treatment delivery setting where AOD treatment was provided varied depending on the agency sector (government or non-government agency). 

In 2024–25:

• The most common AOD treatment provided by government services (67,235 episodes) included:
  • assessment only (36%)
  • counselling (31%)
  • withdrawal management (13%) (Figure agencies sector 2, Table Agcy.7).
• The most common delivery settings where AOD treatment was provided by government services included:
  • non-residential treatment settings (83%)
  • residential treatment settings (11%) (Figure 2, Table Agcy.8).
• The most common AOD treatment provided by non-government services (177,176 episodes) included:
  • counselling (32%)
  • support and case management (22%)
  • assessment only (15%) (Figure 2, Table Agcy.7).
• The most common delivery settings where treatment was provided was by non-government services included:
  • non-residential treatment settings (63%)
  • residential treatment settings (17%) (Figure 2, Table Agcy.8).
• Within each service sector in 2024–25:  
  • 1 in 10 treatment episodes provided by non-government services were for rehabilitation as the main treatment (9.4%) compared to 0.7% of treatment episodes provided by government services.
  • 1 in 8 treatment episodes provided by government services were for withdrawal management as the main treatment (13%) compared to 6.7% of treatment episodes provided by non-government services (Figure 2, Table Agcy.7).