Service sector

A mix of government and non-government agencies deliver publicly funded alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment services. Nationally in 2023–24, 7 in 10 (69%) of AOD treatment agencies were non-government, and these agencies provided 73% of all treatment episodes. In the decade from 2014–15, the proportion of non-government services has increased from 58% to 69% nationally.

Across most states and territories in Australia in 2023–24, the majority of AOD treatment agencies (service outlets) were non-government services, with proportions ranging from 63% in South Australia to 99% in Victoria. The exception was New South Wales, where over half (59%) of AOD treatment agencies were government services (Figure AGENCIES SECTOR 1).

In 2023–24, 3 in 5 (58%) agencies were located in Major cities. Seven in 10 (69%) agencies located in Major cities were non-government agencies (tables Agcy.1–3).

Figure AGENCIES SECTOR 1: Treatment agencies, by service sector and state or territory, 2014–15 to 2023–24

Horizontal bar chart shows the proportion of agencies that were government and non-government by state in 2023–24. Data is filtered by year and trend data for 2014–15 to 2023–24.

Horizontal bar chart shows the proportion of agencies that were government and non-government by state in 2023–24. Data is filtered by year and trend data for 2014–15 to 2023–24.

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

In 2023–24:

  • The most common treatment provided by government services (64,528 episodes) included assessment only (36% of episodes), counselling (31%) and withdrawal management (13%).
  • The most common treatment provided by non-government services (176,430 episodes) included counselling (34% of episodes), support and case management (19%) and assessment only (16%) (Figure AGENCIES SECTOR 2, Table Agcy.7).
  • The most common delivery settings where treatment was provided were non-residential and residential treatment settings for both government (83% and 11%, respectively) and non-government (62% and 18%, respectively) services (Figure AGENCIES SECTOR 2, Table Agcy.8).

Within each service sector in 2023–24:  

  • 1 in 10 treatment episodes provided by non-government services, were for rehabilitation as the main treatment (9.3%), 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 7.4% of treatment episodes provided by non-government services (Figure AGENCIES SECTOR 2, Table Agcy.7).

Figure AGENCIES SECTOR 2: Treatment episodes, by service sector, main treatment type, and treatment delivery setting, state or territory, 2023–24

Horizontal bar chart shows the proportion of episodes provided by government and non-government agencies and state in 2023–24. Data is filtered by main treatment type and treatment delivery setting.

Horizontal bar chart shows the proportion of episodes provided by government and non-government agencies and state in 2023–24. Data is filtered by main treatment type and treatment delivery setting.
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