In 2008-09, apparent consumption of alcohol through ready to drink, pre-mixed beverages was 13.1m litres, or 0.74 litres per person. This was a fall from 18.7m litres in 2007-08, or 1.08 litres per person.
This contrasts to an increase in the apparent consumption of alcohol in the form of spirits, which rose from 20.2m litres, or 1.17 litres per person, in 2007-08, to 22.9m litres, or 1.29 litres per person, in 2008-09.
The apparent consumption of beer and wine also increased, by 1.7% and 2.2% respectively. In total, there was very little change (0.1%) in the apparent consumption of pure alcohol between 2007-08 and 2008-09.
Overall, there were 10.1 litres of pure alcohol available per person aged 15 years and over in 2008-09, equivalent to a little more than two standard drinks per person per day. Nearly half of the 10.1 litres of alcohol was in the form of beer (4.5 litres) with about a third in wine (3.6 litres).
In terms of alcohol content, more white table wines (30.2m litres) are available for consumption than red table wines (22.8m litres). Apparent total consumption of alcohol in full strength beer was 65.3m litres, compared with 9.9 for medium strength beers, and 4.3m litres for low strength beers.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics
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