4307.0.55.001 - Apparent Consumption of Alcohol, Australia, 2003-04 (Reissue)  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 27/06/2005  Reissue
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  • Explanatory Notes

INTRODUCTION

1 This publication contains estimates of apparent alcohol consumption based on the availability of alcohol in Australia. For beer and wine, estimates of total quantity available for consumption and apparent per person consumption for persons aged 15 years and over are included for both the products themselves and in terms of alcohol content. For spirits, estimates of total quantity available for consumption and apparent consumption are expressed in terms of alcohol content only. In the context of this publication, 'consumption' is not 'intake'. Available for consumption data are derived using information relating to supply which means that the data are an approximate estimate of alcohol available.

2 In this, and future Apparent Consumption of Alcohol publications, import clearance data are used to measure the quantity of alcohol imported into Australia. Estimates contained in the previous publication were based on imports data. The use of import clearance data better reflect the quantity of imported alcohol available for consumption in Australia in a particular time period. Time series data using the current methodology, back to 1989-90, are available on request from Karen Connaughton on (02) 6252 5337 or karen.connaughton@abs.gov.au.

SCOPE AND COVERAGE

3 The scope of this collection is beer, wine and spirits available for consumption. Other alcoholic beverages which do not fall within that group, eg ciders, are not included.

4 The apparent consumption of beer and wine includes an estimated component for home production.

5 Alcohol intake from wine is derived from import clearance data and domestic sales of Australian produced wine assuming the following concentrations of alcohol:

Wine type% Alcohol
Fortified17.9
Sparkling and carbonated10.6
Table wine10.8
Other wine n.e.i.14.4

6 Alcohol intake from beer is obtained from import clearance data and excise data on Australian production. Since 2003-04 the excise data used in these calculations has been obtained from the Australian Taxation Office. In previous years excise data was obtain from the Australian Custom Service. As the non excisable component of alcohol (the first 1.15%) was estimated by these Departments, the 2003-04 data may not be directly comparable with previous years.

7 Alcohol intake from spirits is obtained from import clearance data and excise data on Australian production with an adjustment to account for the excise paid on imported spirits which are commercially mixed with locally manufactured softdrinks after importation. Since 2003-04 the excise data used in these calculations has been obtained from the Australian Taxation Office. In previous years excise data was obtain from the Australian Customs Service.

8 Due to the relatively small quantities involved, no adjustments have been made for alcohol which is imported into Australia, cleared through the bonded warehouse and then subsequently re-exported.

9 Apparent consumption data included in this publication are calculated by dividing the quantity available for consumption by the Estimated Resident Population of persons aged 15 years and over in Australia at 31 December each year.

10 Population data are derived from those published in Australian Demographic Statistics (cat.no. 3101.0). Figures are revised as more recent data become available.

11 The following table includes number of persons 15 years and over, 18 years and over and the total population figure at 31 December. The number of people 15 years and over is used to calculate the apparent per person consumption in this issue:

Individual years
at 31 December
Persons 15 years and over
Persons 18 years and over
Total population
1999
15,078,048
14,283,823
19,043,862
2000
15,295,004
14,489,968
19,272,644
2001
15,542,347
14,728,574
19,529,274
2002
15,770,345
14,955,303
19,754,844
2003
16,012,061
15,192,792
19,997,785