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Young people’s health in Australia: statistics from the Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘N’ Roll survey

Every year, Burnet surveys young people about their sexual health, drug use, mental health and wellbeing. The data is used to inform public health policies and programs. 

This annual survey is called Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll. It includes questions around:

  • sexual behaviours 
  • alcohol and other drug use 
  • mental health and wellbeing. 

Each year, we include additional questions based on current and emerging issues or topics of relevance for young people. This includes topics such as COVID-19, pornography use, social media and menstrual health. We began surveying young people at the Big Day Out music festival in 2005. Since 2015, the surveys have been completed online. 

Get involved

Are you 15–29 years old? You can help inform policies that affect you. 

Let us know what health topics we should research by emailing youngpeopleshealth@burnet.edu.au.

Participate in our research – sign up to hear about opportunities.

Who participates?

The survey is open to 15 to 29 year olds in Australia. Our 2024 sample looked like the following: 

  • Average age 22 (range 15-29). 
  • 61% woman, 26% man, 13% non-binary. 
  • 42% heterosexual, 28% bisexual, 15% queer, 12% gay, 9% pansexual.
  • 86% born in Australia. 
  • 60% currently studying at high school, university or TAFE. 
  • 54% live with parents, 20% with friends or housemates, 16% with a partner.
  • 6% identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. 
  • We primarily recruit young people based in Victoria – 53% are based in Greater Melbourne. 

Sexual health trends

From 2015 to 2021, we found that: 

  • fewer people reported lifetime vaginal sex over time, while lifetime anal sex remained stable 
  • among those who had ever had vaginal sex, more reported using long-acting reversible contraceptives (like IUD or implanon) the last time they had vaginal sex 
  • there was no change in STI testing among those who had ever had vaginal or anal sex 
  • consistent condom use with new, casual and regular partners remained stable 
  • knowledge of STIs and sexual health has changed over time – fewer reported knowing that chlamydia can make women infertile, while more reported knowing that taking the pill does not reduce fertility  
  • there was no change in pornography use after adjusting for demographic variables.

Source: Eddy S, Douglass C, Raggatt M, Thomas A, Lim M (2023) Trends in testing of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), sexual health knowledge and behaviours, and pornography use in cross-sectional samples of young people in Victoria, Australia, 2015–21. Sexual Health 20, 164-172. 

Survey findings

Explore survey results by year below.


Published research

Trends in testing of sexually transmissible infections (STIs), sexual health knowledge and behaviours, and pornography use in cross-sectional samples of young people in Victoria, Australia, 2015–21

Eddy S, Douglass C, Raggatt M, Thomas A, Lim M. Sex Health. 2023 Apr;20(2):164-172.

Between 2015 and 2021, uptake of long-acting contraceptives increased, and there was a change in knowledge of sexual health and STIs. There is a need for ongoing public health interventions to improve STI knowledge, testing, and consistent condom use among young people. 

Informing health research

Our data has been used to evaluate public health policies and programs. The survey includes new data on emerging issues facing young people, such as sexting, pornography, and COVID-19. 

The data has informed the following research. Click on the listed item to view the relevant paper.

Work with us

To collaborate or work with us, please contact youngpeopleshealth@burnet.edu.au.

Student projects

We're looking for postgraduate students to join related research projects in 2025. Click on a project for more information.

Sex, drugs and rock’n’roll

Use data collected to investigate patterns of risk behaviours, knowledge, and health outcomes. Findi...

STUDENT PROJECT

Project team