National Opioid Pharmacotherapy Statistics Annual Data collection

Dependence on opioids (including drugs like codeine, oxycodone or heroin) is associated with a range of health and social harms that affect people who use these drugs, their family and friends, and the wider community. Several medications (pharmacotherapies) are used to treat dependence on alcohol and other drugs, these can be prescribed for a short, medium or long-term duration. Pharmacotherapies can reduce cravings for other opioids, help clients to manage the effects of opioid dependence and improve overall quality of life. Pharmacotherapies are prescribed by approved prescribers and dispensed either through a community pharmacy or a specialist clinic.

What is opioid dependence?

Opioids are often prescribed for the management of strong pain. However, they can produce euphoria and are sometimes used for non-medical reasons. Long-term or non-medical use of opioids can lead to health problems such as drug dependence and overdose (WHO 2021).

When people use opioids regularly or over a long period of time, they are at an increased risk of developing opioid drug dependence (ADF 2025). Opioid dependence is characterised by a strong desire to use opioids and loss of control over use. 

The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th revision (ICD-10) (WHO 2010) defines dependence syndrome due to the use of opioids as:

'A cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state (Code F11.2).'

What are the impacts of opioid dependence?

Opioid dependence is linked to a range of health and social harms, for both individuals who use opioids and the wider community. 

These include:

• Loss of life through overdose.
• Medical and mental health impacts, including transmission of hepatitis C, hepatitis B and HIV, and depression.
• Social impacts, including on relationships, employment, education, housing, parenting, finances and crime.
• Financial costs related to health and social services and judicial systems (NSW Ministry of Health 2018).

What treatment is available?

Treatments for opioid use disorders aim to reduce the harms associated with dependence (NSW Ministry of Health 2018). Opioid pharmacotherapy treatment, also known as opioid agonist therapy, is one of the most common treatments used for opioid drug dependence in Australia. Opioid pharmacotherapy involves replacing the opioid drug of dependence with a longer-lasting, medically-prescribed opioid. 

Opioid pharmacotherapy can reduce drug cravings and other withdrawal symptoms in clients (Gowing et al. 2014). Pharmacotherapy can also have positive impacts on physical and mental health, social functioning and economic participation, and reduce drug-related crime (Ritter and Chalmers 2009). Clients can receive pharmacotherapy for dependence on a range of opioids, including illicit drugs (such as heroin) and pharmaceutical opioids (such as codeine and oxycodone) (AIHW 2018). 

In Australia, 4 medications are registered as pharmacotherapy treatment for people with opioid dependence (Table INTRO 1). Two depot formulations of buprenorphine (Buvidal® and Sublocade®) were registered for use in the treatment of opioid dependence across Australia in recent years. These long-acting injections (described in this report as buprenorphine LAI) were reported where possible for the first time in the 2020 NOPSAD collection. For more information on opioid pharmacotherapy medications in Australia, see Glossary.

Policy context

Opioid pharmacotherapy treatment is administered according to the law of the relevant state or territory, and within a framework that includes medical, social and psychological treatment. The Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care has published National Guidelines for Medication-Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependence (Gowing et al. 2014). These guidelines provide a broad policy context and framework for states and territories when developing their own policies and guidelines for the medication-assisted treatment of opioid dependence. However, policies differ between states and territories.

On 1 July 2023, opioid pharmacotherapy medicines became part of the Section 100 Highly Specialised Drugs (HSD) Program (Community Access) arrangements (PBS 2023). Changes include:

• Under the Section 100 HSD Program, eligible patients can access up to 28 days’ supply of opioid pharmacotherapy treatment under PBS co-payment. 
• In addition, a community pharmacy program for opioid pharmacotherapy medicines was established, introducing nationally consistent payment arrangements for pharmacotherapy services provided by community pharmacists. 

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), provides timely, reliable and affordable access to necessary medicines for Australians, subsidised by the Commonwealth Government (PBS 2022). 

For more information, see Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Opioid Dependence Treatment Program.