While it is possible to access the maps through a mobile phone, due to the amount of available data displayed in the maps, we recommend using a desktop or a laptop computer for an optimal experience. We also strongly recommend using a  modern browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge.

While IE11 continues to receive security updates, compatibility fixes, and technical support, it is effectively frozen in time as far as active development is concerned, and lacks modern features and standards compliance. Supporting IE, which is below 5% of browser market share, would involve compromising performance. Therefore we recommend using a modern browser such as Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Edge.

Currently state totals are provided in a separate map on the AODstats website. You would need go AODstats home page and then select the Explore Data button and choose the dataset of interest. Select the Victoria State map (link under the dataset heading).

Yes, you can download all the data at once for each indicator (e.g. all years and categories for Hospitalisations). To do this, first select your indicator of choice (i.e. Hospital) and then click the download data button () in the bottom right corner. Note: this is different to the download image button explained in the FAQ below.

There is a data download sheet for each map available (i.e. State or LGA) for each indicator. Therefore for most indictors, there will be three data download sheets to download.

For another indicator you would need to select that first (i.e. Ambulance) and then repeat the process above.

Yes, you can download an image of the map or trend series for each of the indicators as required. To do this, select the indicator of interest first (e.g. Ambulance), and then apply any filters (i.e. certain substance type or age group). There is an icon in Tableau -next to the Share button- for downloading an image () in the bottom right corner. You can then select the format (e.g. Image/PDF) as per your requirements.

Please note that only individual data (i.e. a selected LGA) can be downloaded as an image on the map/trend series within Tableau. To download all data for each indicator, you would need to download the entire data sheet as explained in the FAQ above.

No, the data is not available at postcode or suburb level. Whilst Turning Point does have some indicator data by postcode and suburb level, not all indicators are provided at this level and are only provided at an LGA or state level. Also, the issue with providing data at a smaller level than LGA may not be useful as many values will not be reported due to being a small cell size (i.e. less than five).

Rates are calculated using the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimated resident population (ERP) data. For a calendar year the ERP used is mid-year of the same year (taken at June – e.g. 2015 data uses June 2015 ERP). For a financial year the EPR used is mid-year of the beginning of the financial year (e.g. 2014-15 data uses June 2014 ERP).

Population rates for AODstats are calculated in several ways. These are crude rates, age-specific rates and age and gender-standardised rates. Rates for Total, Male and Female populations in the map and trend visualisations and download sheets are crude rates. Age group population rates in the map visualisation, trend series visualisations and download sheets are age-specific rates. Rates for the population pyramid visualisations are age and gender-standardised rates.
Crude rates allow for adjustment of population size across different areas. However, they do not adjust for certain demographic attributes (specifically age and sex). From a public health perspective there are advantages to standardising for age and/or sex, as it allows comparisons across areas to be made more accurately. However, from a policy perspective, knowing what is impacting the rates is equally important. Given that age and gender are key contributors to alcohol harms and use, if an area has more or fewer men and younger people than other areas, this information is important in terms of developing and delivering targeted policies and services.

The rate calculated is dependent upon the estimated resident population (ERP) used. Where possible, the most recent ERP available is used. However, due to the release schedule of AODstats data and the ERP file being periodically updated by ABS, the ERP used for the rate calculation may not have been updated to the most recent value. Therefore, the rate may be different to one you have calculated. In this case, we will endeavour to update to the most recent ERP value as soon as possible.

Many indicators do not collect other demographic information such as ethnicity and so this data is typically not available.

Any illicit drug primarily involved in a case, including heroin, other opioids, amphetamines, cannabis, stimulants, GHB, hallucinogens, inhalants, synthetic cannabis, or other illicit drugs not explicitly mentioned. 

Any prescription drug primarily involved in a case, including antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, analgesics, sedatives, pharmacotherapy, steroids or another medication (prescribed or non-prescribed) not explicitly mentioned.

Indicator data is updated on an annual basis. These updates occur three times per year, dependent upon and scheduled when each indicator usually becomes available. These updates will typically occur around December/January, April/May, and August/September, with a few datasets being updated at each time point.

When data is updated, a new year of data is added to the existing dataset and the oldest year of data is removed, to provide the most recent 10 year trend.

Only the most recent 10 years of data are included on AODstats dashboards and download sheets. Therefore, a newer data download sheet will not include the same years as the data sheet you may have previously downloaded.

Also, there will be instances where data are amended over time and therefore it is important to note that data on AODstats are subject to change. These changes could be due to new processes or new cases being added/deleted from datasets. In these instances, a backlog of data are collected and multiple retrospective years may be updated at the time of adding new data. Therefore, it is advised to use the most recently available data sheet.

The information on which datasets and the year/s being updated is communicated via email to our AODstats subscribers a minimum of three times per year.

Yes, you can choose single or multiple age groups by checking the tick box for the age group/s of interest.

The deaths data on AODstats are obtained from the Australian Coordinating Registry cause of death unit record file. Deaths are coded from death certificates compiled by the collective jurisdictional Registries of Birth, Deaths and Marriages, and State and Chief Coroners, using ICD10 codes. Any alcohol or drug information for deaths were extracted by applying an aetiological fraction to the underlying cause of death ICD10 code.

However, this data may differ from data collected directly from coroner’s systems, such as through the Coroner Prevention Unit or NCIS, as they have further documents and information relating to the death (e.g. pathology or toxicology reports) which may include drugs contributing to or involved in the death. This drug information may be included on the death certificate as a contributing cause of death, but not the underlying cause of death and therefore data presented on AODstats will most likely be an underrepresentation of alcohol or drug-related deaths.

The attribution of a drug or substance as being involved in the event is formed on the basis of ambulance paramedic mention of the involvement of these substances, established through paramedic clinical assessment, patient self-report or information provided by someone else at the scene, such as family or associates. The core criterion project staff use in determining the involvement of a drug or substance is: “Is it reasonable to attribute the immediate or recent (not merely chronic) over- or inappropriate ingestion of the substance or medication as significantly contributing to the reason for the Ambulance Victoria attendance?”

Currently state totals are provided in a separate map on the AODstats website, as are metropolitan/regional totals. You need to go to the Explore data button and then select the Victoria State map or the Metro/regional map.

Turning Point,  (insert year). AODstats: Victorian alcohol and drug statistics, www.aodstats.org.au. Date accessed: (insert date)