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Online Sale and Delivery of Alcohol

Closing loopholes in online alcohol retail

Online sale and rapid delivery makes alcohol more accessible at home – the most common place for people to use alcohol.

This increases alcohol harms in the home, such as self-harm and family violence.

A FARE survey showed rapid delivery within two hours is associated with risky drinking – with 38 per cent of people drinking more than 11 standard drinks on the day of delivery.

There are studies suggesting delivery is used to extend drinking sessions and people report receiving deliveries while intoxicated.

Studies have also found alcohol companies do not consistently verify age when selling and delivering alcohol, sometimes leaving deliveries at the door.

Poor checks and balances mean alcohol could be delivered to people who are intoxicated and people underage.

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The expansion of online sale and delivery is making alcohol more accessible at home, increasing the risk of harm.

Add your name to pledge that you’ll stay involved to help fix Australia’s outdated liquor laws to make sure they protect the health and wellbeing of our community.

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Alcohol companies have a responsibility not to cause harm to our communities.

But laws across Australia haven’t kept pace with the changing ways alcohol companies do business. Alcohol companies have been taking advantage of these loopholes.

New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia have been the first to take action on this, introducing targeted laws to reduce harm.

It’s time for the rest of Australia to follow suit – updating community protections to match how alcohol is now marketed and sold.

We’re advocating for:

A delay of two hours between order and delivery for alcohol-only orders
No alcohol deliveries between 10 pm and 10 am to reduce the known risks of alcohol-related family violence and suicide, which peak late at night
Online age verification to ensure alcohol isn’t sold to children
ID checks upon delivery to ensure alcohol isn’t supplied to children or intoxicated people

Click here to read our policy position on this topic.

We’re advocating for:

A delay of two hours between order and delivery for alcohol-only orders
No alcohol deliveries between 10 pm and 10 am to reduce the known risks of alcohol-related family violence and suicide, which peak late at night
Online age verification to ensure alcohol isn’t sold to children
ID checks upon delivery to ensure alcohol isn’t supplied to children or intoxicated people

Click here to read our policy position on this topic.

"I have noticed a huge increase in ads for alcohol on social media and streaming websites... my mother has an alcohol dependence and to see this type of explicit advertising at a particularly vulnerable time for her and many people is beyond unethical."

- Johana

"I've noticed an increase in alcohol advertising on [streaming services]. As someone who has been proudly sober for 12 years, I wish I could opt out of certain kinds of ads appearing in my playlists as this makes listening to music, something I usually use to soothe me, triggering."

- Alicia

“Ads whilst watching YouTube, as well as advertising at bus stops, and on sports banners. It’s unfair for recovering alcoholics to have to look at a bottle shop every time we enter a supermarket, let alone deal with blocking constant alcohol advertising [online] also.”

- Barbara

“It is disgraceful this issue is not governed more strictly. The same with online gambling. The advertising on TV and social media is criminal and ruining lives & families.”

- Cate

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Research in the spotlight

Addressing harmful industries’ digital marketing in Australia

Every day we are bombarded with alcohol advertising. Have you experienced alcohol advertising online? Share how this has affected you, your family or your community.

Young Australians and the promotion of alcohol on social media

FARE has partnered with The University of Queensland to undertake a three-year study to better understand how young people are targeted by alcohol companies via social media. The study is using novel computational and machine learning methods to collect and analyse alcohol marketing from more than 480 alcohol pages on social media. The research is supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage Project grant.

Digital Youth: An intelligent systems approach to monitor harmful online marketing to children and young adults

FARE is a partner on the #DigitalYouth project being led by the Global Obesity Centre (GLOBE) and the Institute for Health Transformation. The research will use novel methods to develop the first thorough snapshot of youth exposure and engagement with digital marketing in Australia. The research is supported with a grant from The Ian Potter Foundation.

Learn more about how online alcohol retail affects our communities

2020 Annual Alcohol Poll: Attitudes and Behaviours

On-demand alcohol delivery services and risky drinking

Alcohol home delivery services: An investigation of use and risk

Western Australia alcohol home delivery project: Online survey final report

Latest news

Proposed Queensland regulatory framework for online liquor sale and delivery

16/05/2023

Alcohol harm is exacerbated by the online sale and delivery of alcohol, which has vastly increased availability and accessibility. This is part of a broader trend towards digitisation of transactions and mobility of products in society. But alcohol is no ordinary product like groceries or books. It is a drug that requires controls on how it is sold and supplied so that communities are protected from potential harm.

Online sale and delivery of alcohol – A growing risk to our community

27/04/2023

At the moment, alcohol causes harm to far too many Australians through contributing to chronic diseases, family violence, self-harm and suicide. Alcohol harm is exacerbated by the online sale and delivery of alcohol, which has vastly increased availability and accessibility, creating unique risks to community health and safety.

VIDEO: ‘Our phone has become a bottle shop’

17/03/2023

With online connection more important in our everyday lives than ever, it’s essential we ensure a safe and healthy digital environment for everyone.

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Australians deserve to have a say in the role that alcohol plays in their lives and communities.

At FARE, we want to amplify community voices about the impact of alcohol, to make sure people are put first when it comes to decisions that affect their health.

With your support, local advocates and grassroots organisations can create the change they want to see in their communities.

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FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

©2023 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C

FARE acknowledges the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters on which we operate throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and recognise the continuing connection to country of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

©2021 FARE
Privacy Statement
T&C