Australian Alcohol Guidelines

Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol

The Australian Alcohol Guidelines (2009) aim to help you make an informed choice about your alcohol use to reduce the risk of alcohol-related harm. The Guidelines are based on research from Australia and around the world on the effects of alcohol.

GUIDELINE 1: Reducing the risk of alcohol-related harm over a lifetime. 

The lifetime risk of harm from drinking increases with the amount consumed. For healthy men and women, drinking no more than two standard drinks on any day reduces the lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury. 

GUIDELINE 2: Reducing the risk of injury on a single occasion

On a single occasion of drinking, the risk of alcohol-related injury increases with the amount consumed. For healthy men and women, drinking no more than four standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion.

GUIDELINE 3: Children and young people under 18 years of age

For children and young people under 18 years of age, not drinking alcohol is the safest option.

A. Parents and carers should be advised that children under 15 years of age are at the greatest risk of harm from drinking and that for this age group, not drinking alcohol is especially important

B. For young people aged 15-17 years, the safest option is to delay the initiation of drinking for as long as possible.

GUIDELINE 4: Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Maternal alcohol consumption can harm the developing fetus or breastfeeding baby.

A. For women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, not drinking is the safest option.

B. For women who are breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.