The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) today released Report 25 of the National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program, laying bare the scale, sophistication and relentless growth of Australia’s illicit drug markets over the past year. Drawing on anonymised wastewater samples from sites across the country, the report exposes powerful evidence of entrenched drug demand, the expanding reach of serious and organised crime groups, and clear signals of emerging substances shaping the nation’s illicit drug landscape.
Across the reporting period, wastewater analysis shows methylamphetamine consumption reached the highest levels recorded since the program commenced in 2016, with both capital cities and regional areas exceeding all previous annual averages. Cocaine consumption also reached record highs nationally, continuing a multi-year upward trajectory, while MDMA use showed a wave-like pattern, peaking in late 2024 before moderating. Heroin consumption has fluctuated over the period, with record capital city consumption in October 2025 and regional consumption in August 2025 the second highest on record.
Regional areas continued to record substantially higher per capita consumption of methylamphetamine, cannabis and oxycodone compared with capital cities, while cocaine, heroin and ketamine consumption remained consistently higher in capital cities. These capital–regional differences have persisted across multiple reporting periods and jurisdictions.
The findings confirm that Australia continues to face a highly dynamic, resilient and profit-driven drug market, fuelled by transnational supply chains, innovative concealment methods, and increasingly adaptive criminal syndicates. In addition, the report reveals compelling multi-year trends, with the additional data enabling clearer visibility of how drug markets evolve in response to global shocks, supply-chain disruptions and major law enforcement actions. This long-term lens shows a sustained and increasing national demand for key illicit drugs, particularly stimulants.
The findings also underscore the crucial role of wastewater intelligence in Australia’s national security and public health architecture. By providing timely, population level insights into drug consumption that are unavailable through any other dataset, the program enables agencies to identify emerging threats, forecast shifts in the drug market, deploy responsive interventions and measure the effectiveness of interventions. The ACIC’s wastewater monitoring program remains a cornerstone of cross-agency cooperation, shaping enforcement priorities, informing harm-reduction strategies and supporting evidence-based policymaking across all levels of government. The report and more information are available on the ACIC website.
If you witness suspicious behaviour connected to drugs report it immediately. Speaking up can help protect the community and support ongoing investigations. To provide anonymous information, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report online.
There are a range of treatment and support options available if you or someone you care about is experiencing problems associated with drugs. If you are unsure of what help might best meet your needs, contact your local doctor, visit Counselling Online or call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015 to discuss your situation and work out what might be the best option.
ACIC Media
media@acic.gov.au
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Notes to media
In accordance with current wastewater analysis conventions, the terms of the contract and to protect the integrity of the ACIC’s wastewater program, the exact sampling locations cannot be publicly released by the ACIC. To maintain the confidentiality of the participating site, each site was allocated a unique code to de-identify their results, however trends in particular states and territories can be identified. Media are encouraged to include help-seeking information in stories about illicit drugs to minimise any negative impact on people in the community.
Quotes attributable to ACIC CEO Heather Cook
Serious and organised crime – the illegal market that never sleeps
“Australia’s illicit drug market continues to grow, driven by transnational criminal networks.
“The wastewater findings show persistent, elevated demand for major drugs across jurisdictions.
“The data reinforces the critical need for sustained, coordinated national responses.
“Serious and organised crime groups continue to exploit Australia’s high demand environment.
“Adaptive behaviour shows responsiveness to law enforcement pressure and action.
“Wastewater intelligence helps us see through the fog of criminal activity. It gives us insight into changes in drug markets, sometimes before they become visible elsewhere.
“These findings reaffirm that coordinated national intelligence is critical to protecting Australia’s security, stability and public safety.”
Criminal innovation
“Our intelligence continues to show that serious and organised crime groups are not only persistent but highly innovative. Every time law enforcement closes a door, they find a window – and then attempt to climb through it with increasingly complex concealment strategies.
“What we are seeing in this report is a stark reminder that Australia remains a lucrative target for transnational crime. The scale of the markets, reflected in the wastewater data, shows just how determined these groups are to maintain supply.
“This is a national challenge, and one that demands constant vigilance, evolving tools and strong collaboration across all jurisdictions.”
Emerging substances and early warning
“Wastewater analysis can show clear signals of emerging substances entering the Australian market. These shifts can occur rapidly, and wastewater data is sometimes the first indicator of change.
“Early warning capabilities are essential. By detecting these trends at the earliest stage, we give health agencies, policy makers and law enforcement the tools they need to respond.”
Communities under pressure
“The data presents an unfiltered look at the pressures facing Australian communities. High‑risk stimulant use continues to burden emergency services, families and frontline responders.
“These aren’t abstract figures – they represent real harm and real consequences playing out in hospitals, homes and communities across the country.
“The National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program is crucial because it shows us where the pressure points are, helping agencies intervene earlier and more effectively.”
Public health impacts continue to escalate
“High‑risk stimulant use remains a major contributor to national harm.
“Limited treatment options, particularly for methylamphetamine, constrain demand and harm reduction efforts.
“Integrated, multi‑agency approaches are essential to reducing harm.”