2026 Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll survey results

In 2026, we conducted our annual Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘n’ Roll survey. From May to June, 1049 young people aged 15 to 29 completed the online survey.

We asked them about their knowledge of sexual health and sexual health preferences. We also asked about sexual behaviours, pornography use, and alcohol and other drug use.

Our findings are summarised below.

The average age was 22 years.

• 84% were born in Australia.
• 58% were currently studying at high school, university, or TAFE.
• 52% lived with their parent/s.

Gender

Participants could choose more than one option.

• 44% identified as a woman.
• 36% identified as a man.
• 13% identified as non-binary.

Sexuality

Participants could select multiple options for sexual identity.

• 42% identified as heterosexual
• 28% identified as bisexual
• 16% identified as queer
• 12% identified as gay.

Sexual health

We asked participants questions about STIs and sexual health. On average, participants answered 4 out of 6 questions correctly.

• 81% of participants knew that people infected with STIs do not always have symptoms.
• 81% of participants knew that if left untreated, chlamydia can last for years.
• 58% of participants knew that chlamydia can be diagnosed by a urine test.
• 62% of participants knew that taking the pill when young does not reduce fertility.
• 67% of participants knew that gonorrhoea, syphilis and chlamydia can all be treated with antibiotics.
• 51% of participants knew that chlamydia can make women infertile.

Vaping and e-cigarettes

• 64% of young people had used e-cigarettes.

We asked:

How harmful are e-cigarettes/vapes on a scale of 0 (not harmful) to 100 (harmful)?

• 89 was the average score.

How affordable are e-cigarettes/vapes on a scale of 0 (affordable) to 100 (unaffordable)?

• 53 was the average score.

How easy to access are e-cigarettes/vapes on a scale of 0 (easy) to 100 (not easy)?

• 22 was the average score.

We asked participants how often they used cigarettes/vapes

Alcohol and other drugs

• 90% of participants had drunk alcohol in the past year
• 76% had ever used recreational drugs (illicit or non-prescribed)
• 60% had used recreational drugs in the past month

The most common recreational drugs participants have ever used are as follows (participants could select multiple options):

• Marijuana: 71%
• MDMA: 38%
• LSD: 36%
• Ketamine: 36%
• Cocaine: 36%.

Social media 

• 46% of people think that the social media ban for under 16 will be very or somewhat helpful.
• 52% people regard it as very or somewhat unhelpful. 
• 2% of people selected 'I don't wish to say'.

Pornography

• Average age of having watched porn unintentionally = 11
• Average age of watching porn intentionally = 13
• 69% of people reported watching porn often (daily, weekly and monthly).
• 10% of people reported having never watched porn

Sexual experiences

• Average age first engaged in sexual touch = 15
• Average age first engaged in oral sex = 16
• Average age first engaged in vaginal sex = 17
• Average age first engaged in anal sex = 18

Contraception

53% of people reported using contraception last time they had sex

Out of the 53%:

• 44% used a condom
• 29% used a pill
• 20% used withdrawal
• 14% used an IUD.

Participants could select multiple options

Favourite type of music

• Alternative (ALT) 27.2%
• Classical (CLA) 1.2%
• Country (COU) 2.0%
• Dance (DAN) 4.4%
• Hip Hop (HIP) 4.3%
• House (HOU) 4.3%
• Metal (MET) 8.3%
• Pop (POP) 16%
• Rap (RAP) 3.6%
• Retro (RET) 3.1%
• RNB (RNB) 3.9%
• Techno (TEC) 6.3%
• Other (OTH) 12.5%
• I dont wish to say (DEC) 2.7%.