The most recent National Drug Strategy Household Survey (2022-23) shows that rates of alcohol and other drug (AOD) use amongst lesbian, gay & bisexual (LGB) people continue to be significantly higher than the general population.  In the 12 months prior to the survey, LGB people were 8.6 times as likely than their heterosexual peers to have used inhalants, 6.6 times as likely to have used meth/amphetamines, and 3.4 times as likely to have used ecstasy.  

This data supports the findings of Private Lives 3, a survey conducted in 2020 across Australian LGBTQ communities.  The report also highlighted low levels of service access by LGBTQ people experiencing problematic AOD use, with many unaware of available or appropriate support.  

Working It Out’s own research shows that 55.7% of Tasmanian LGBTQA+ people think alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drug use in the LGBTIQA+ community is a concern.  

Although LGBTIQA+ Tasmanians are recognised as a priority population in the Tasmanian Government’s Alcohol Tobacco & Other Drugs strategy, no activities have been funded or planned to address these needs. Similarly, there are currently no services, either through WIO or mainstream organisations, that specifically address AOD use within Tasmania’s LGBTIQA+ communities. 

Working It Out, with support from Pride Foundation Australia, is working to change this. 

The phases of the project are (subject to change): 

• Project planning: COMPLETE 

• Community consultation: September - October 2025 

• Asset development: November 2025 - January 2026 

• Sector consultation and advisory group: February - March 2026 

• Creation of sector training package: March - June 2026 

• Roll-out of social media assets: June 2026 onwards 

• Statewide training delivery: July 2026 onwards 

The social media assets will be loaded to this page later in the project. You’ll hopefully see them on your favourite social media channels – but which channels exactly will be decided by the community during our community consultation phase. 

Generally, you are likely to see the assets shared on our Meta accounts (Facebook and Instagram) but they might also appear elsewhere. 

Because consultation with the lesbian community was undertaken in November 2024. We would love it if lesbians could complete our new survey when it is released. Please stay tuned and look out for it on social media.

• Sign up to participate in our focus groups here

• Complete our community opinions survey – check back here Sept/October, subscribe to the WIO WordsOUT newsletter or like and follow our social media to be notified when the survey is online.

Members of the LGBTQA+ community who have lived or living experience of alcohol and/or other drug use 

• Email Bethany at bethany@workingitout.org.au to receive an invitation to our future consultation sessions 

AOD workers including the lived/living experience workforce  

• Complete the Sector Survey here: https://forms.office.com/r/j3Hfe1dTdS 

• Email Bethany at bethany@workingitout.org.au to receive an invitation to our future consultation sessions 

• Encourage your organisation to sign up to the training when it is launched next year 

Training dates will be announced early/mid 2026. We invite you to be part of the consultations informing the creation of the training content prior to its delivery. 

We would also love your input via our Sector Survey here https://forms.office.com/r/j3Hfe1dTdS 

To participate in the consultations, and/or to go on the mailing list to be invited to the training when it launches, please email Bethany at bethany@workingitout.org.au 

Contact: Bethany – AOD Project Coordinator 
bethany@workingitout.org.au 
(03) 6231 1200