2024 Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll survey results summary

• The average age was 22 years.
• 86% were born in Australia.
• 60% were currently studying at high school, university, or TAFE.
• 54% lived with their parent/s.

• 61% identified as a woman.
• 26% identified as a man.
• 13% identified as non-binary.

• 42% identified as heterosexual.
• 28% identified as bisexual.
• 15% identified as queer.
• 12% identified as gay.
• 9% identified as pansexual. 

Note: participants could select multiple options for sexual identity.

We asked participants if they knew certain facts about STIs and sexual health. On average, participants knew 5 out of 8 of these facts.

• 82% knew that if left untreated, chlamydia can last for years.
• 79% knew that people infected with STIs do not always have symptoms.
• 63% knew that taking the pill when young does not reduce fertility.
• 71% knew that gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia can all be treated with antibiotics.
• 51% knew that chlamydia can make women infertile.
• 58% knew that chlamydia can be diagnosed by a urine test.
• 90% knew that a healthy vagina contains bacteria.
• 94% knew that a healthy vagina would produce some discharge.

We asked participants: ‘What are the most important aspects of vaginal health?’ The 5 most important aspects were:

1. comfort
2. bacterial balance
3. odour/smell
4. menstrual pain
5. cleanliness. 

This section includes the questions we asked around STI notifications followed by responses. These are hypothetical situations.

Would you notify a sexual partner if you had an STI?

• 91% yes.
• 1% no.
• 7% “It depends”.
• How would you notify them?

A regular partner: 

• 82% face-to-face.
• 47% phone call.
• 45% text message.

A casual partner: 

• 67% text message.
• 37% phone call.
• 28% face-to-face. 

Note: participants could select multiple options.

Would you want to be notified by a sexual partner if you were at risk of an STI? 

• 98% yes.
• 1% no.
• 1% “it depends”.

How would you want to be notified? Note: participants could select multiple options.

A regular partner: 

• 85% face-to-face.
• 54% phone call.
• 49% text message. 

A casual partner: 

• 75% text message.
• 49% phone call.
• 39% face-to-face.

Note: participants could select multiple options.

• 59% of young people had used e-cigarettes.
• Almost two-thirds (65%) had seen advertisements for e-cigarettes. 

We asked how easy it is to access e-cigarettes/vapes.

• On a scale from 0 (not easy) to 100 (easy), 78 was the average score. 

• 90% of participants had drunk alcohol in the past year.
• 66% had ever used recreational drugs (illicit or non-prescribed).
• 38% had used recreational drugs in the past month.

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

• Marijuana (60%).
• MDMA (26%).
• LSD (25%).
• Ketamine (23%).
• Cocaine (23%). 

We asked young people to share their favourite self-care activity. Responses included:

• hot shower or bath
• going for a long walk
• playing video games
• journalling
• knitting or crocheting 
• lying in the sun
• masturbating
• yoga or pilates
• baking
• playing with pets
• making a cup of tea
• reading in bed.