This report presents the latest national analysis of overdose and other drug-induced deaths in Australia, covering the period from 2005 to 2024. It examines long-term trends by age group, sex, jurisdiction, remoteness, intent and drug type, alongside emerging patterns in the characteristics of these deaths. The findings provide an evidence base to support public health policy, service planning, prevention initiatives and responses to emerging drug-related harms.

Overall drug-induced deaths: Australia recorded 2,005 drug-induced deaths in 2024, equivalent to 7.3 deaths per 100,000 Australians. This is the highest number of deaths observed during the 20-year monitoring period, although the mortality rate is below that observed between 2014 and 2020.

Preliminary revised data indicate a 7.4% increase in the national age-standardised rate of drug-induced deaths in Australia between 2023 and 2024, reversing the downward trend observed since the 2017 peak.

Populations most affected: Drug-induced mortality continued to disproportionately affect males, with the highest mortality rates observed among people aged 45-54 years, followed by those aged 35-44 years and 55-64 years. Most deaths occurred among residents of major cities, although mortality rates were similarly high in major cities and inner regional areas.

The increase between 2023 and 2024 was driven primarily by males aged 25-34 years, whose mortality rate increased by 37%, together with increases in mortality among residents of major cities and unintentional overdose deaths.

Drug types driving trends: Opioids remained the leading drug class involved in overdose deaths; however, recent changes in mortality were characterised by marked increases in deaths involving amphetamine-type stimulants and cocaine. These findings indicate that recent changes in Australia's overdose profile have been driven increasingly by stimulant-related harms, rather than broad increases across all drug classes.

Data revision: Although 2024 estimates are preliminary and may increase with future ABS revisions, they already exceed the revised estimates for 2023, suggesting that the decline observed since 2017 may have stalled.