Alcohol-Induced Deaths Rise in Australia as Women’s Toll Increases

Canberra — Alcohol-induced deaths in Australia rose to 1,829 in 2025, with women accounting for an increasing share of fatalities, a new national mortality data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has shown.

The figures show that alcohol-induced deaths among women increased from 462 in 2024 to 522 in 2025, while the death rate climbed from 3.1 to 3.4 per 100,000 people.

Men continued to die at a higher rate, recording 8.8 deaths per 100,000 people, compared with 3.4 among women.

The latest data has renewed calls for stronger government measures to reduce alcohol-related harm, including tighter controls on advertising, online sales and home delivery.

Ayla Chorley, Chief Executive of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), said the figures represented lives lost and families left dealing with bereavement, while highlighting the growing impact on women.

“Historically, alcohol harm has disproportionately been experienced by men, but this data brings to light that alcohol continues to have a significant impact across our community, including for women, whose rates of alcohol-induced death have increased over the past year,” Chorley said.

She argued that stronger safeguards were needed to counter the influence of commercial interests and limit the availability of alcohol.

“When alcohol becomes more accessible and available, harms increase. The expansion of targeted marketing alongside rapid home delivery has put more people at risk,” she said.

Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education Chief Executive, Ayla Chorley.

FARE is urging the federal government to act on recommendations made in September by a Parliamentary committee examining the health impacts of alcohol and drugs in Australia.

The committee recommended a mandatory regulatory framework for alcohol advertising and marketing, alongside national standards governing online alcohol sales and delivery.

Chorley said the recommendations provided the government with practical options to strengthen protections for communities, children and families.

“The Australian Government has a clear roadmap for action. These are practical, common-sense measures that will reduce harm, protect children and families, and improve the health and safety of communities across the country.

“With so many lives lost to alcohol each year, we can’t afford to delay action," she said.

The figures distinguish deaths specifically classified as alcohol-induced from the broader range of deaths in which alcohol may contribute.

The latest release adds to ongoing debate over how governments should regulate alcohol availability and promotion while addressing its health and social consequences.

FARE said anyone affected by alcohol or other drug use can contact the National 24/7 Alcohol and Other Drugs Hotline on 1800 250 015, or Lifeline available on 13 11 14, and 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for people experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence.