Don't lose your standards

Wallet card for young people, outlining alcohol guideline 3B.

PDF printable version of Don't lose your standards (PDF 189 KB)

Standard drinks

A standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol, but the drinks you buy often contain more than one standard drink. There are no common glass sizes used in Australia.

The label on an alcoholic drink container tells you the number of standard drinks in the container.

Beer

Glass
1.1
285ml
Full strength
4.8% alc. vol

Glass
1.6
425 ml
Full strength
4.8% alc.vol

Bottle
1.4
375ml
Full strength
4.8% alc.vol

Can
1.4
375ml
Full strength
4.8% alc. vol

Wine

Glass
1.4
150ml
Average restaurant serving of sparkling wine
12% alc. vol

Glass
1.6
150ml
Average restaurant serving of red wine
13.5% alc.vol

Glass
1.4
150ml
Average restaurant serving of white wine
11.5% alc.vol

Bottle
8
750ml
Bottle of red wine
13.5% alc. vol

Spirits

Bottle
1.2
330ml
Full strength
Ready-to-drink
5% alc. vol

Glass
1
30ml
High strength
Spirit nip
40% alc.vol

Can
1.5
375ml
Full strength
Pre-mix spirits
5% alc.vol

Can
1.6
300ml
High strength
Pre-mix spirits
7% alc. vol

Tips

You need to count your drinks even if you're not driving.

Most young people don't drink on a daily basis, yet often drink heavily once or twice a week which can damage your health.

It is possible to drink at a level which is less risky, while still having fun. There are a number of things you can do to make sure you stay within low risk levels and don't get to a stage where you are no longer capable of controlling your drinking.

How much you drink is your choice. Here's some tips to help you make informed choices and help keep your risk of alcohol-related accidents, injuries, diseases and death, low - both in the short and long term.

• Set limits for yourself and stick to them
• Start with non-alcoholic drinks and alternate with alcoholic drinks
• Drink slowly
• Keep an eye on your drink. Don't leave your drink unattended.
• Try drinks with a lower alcohol content
• Eat before or while you are drinking
• If you participate in rounds of drinks try to include some non-alcoholic drinks
• Plan safe transport home

The advice in this brochure does not replace advice from your health care provider.

For more information about the new Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol go to www.alcohol.gov.au

Contacts

If you or someone you know needs support and treatment to reduce your alcohol intake, you should contact:

• Your doctor
• Your local community health service
• An alcohol or other drug helpline in your state/territory:
  ACT (02) 6205 4545
  NSW (02) 9361 8000 (Sydney), 1800 422 599 (NSW country)
  NT (08) 8922 8399 (Darwin), (08) 8951 7580 (Central Australia), 1800 131 350 (territory wide)
  Qld 1800 177 833
  SA 1300 131 340
  Tas 1800 811 994
  Vic 1800 888 236
  WA (08) 9442 5000 (Perth), 1800 198 024 (WA country)