ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUGSSectorscopeGovernment will consider inquiry evidence when advising on next National Drug Strategy
Alcohol & Other Drugs • Sectorscope
Government will consider inquiry evidence when advising on next National Drug Strategy
The Australian Government has formally responded to a House committee issues paper on alcohol and other drugs, agreeing that departmental advice on the National Drug Strategy will draw on public submissions and evidence from the inquiry. The response does not commit to specific changes or a timetable.
19 September 2026Attention: WatchTiming: Response published 13 March 2026.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The government’s response confirms that the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will use material from the parliamentary inquiry when preparing advice about the National Drug Strategy (NDS). That means stakeholder submissions to the inquiry may influence the evidence base behind future NDS advice, but the response does not itself change policy or commit to revisions across governments.
What the response is
The Australian Government published its formal response in March 2026 to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport’s issues paper on the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs. The two-page response records the government’s positions on at least two recommendations from the inquiry.
What the government confirms
The government notes the committee’s suggestion that a future standing committee consider a full inquiry report (the response records this recommendation as “noted”).
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (named in the response as the department, and identified as formerly the Department of Health and Aged Care) agrees to consider public submissions and evidence received by the inquiry when it prepares advice to government on revisions to the National Drug Strategy (NDS).
The response highlights that the NDS is a whole-of-government document with shared responsibility across Australian, state and territory governments and law enforcement agencies, and that any future NDS proposals will need to be tested with other governments and relevant agencies.
The department also emphasises alignment with commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and notes the disproportionate AOD-related harms experienced by First Nations people and the need for culturally appropriate services.
What the response does not do
The document does not itself: enact any change to the NDS, set a timetable for NDS revisions, or specify new funding, program rules or service changes. It records an intention to draw on inquiry evidence in departmental advice but does not establish what, if any, policy or operational changes will result.
What this could mean in practice
Stakeholder evidence sent to the inquiry has been acknowledged and will be considered at the advice stage; organisations that made submissions have had their material formally recognised as part of the evidence base that the department will use when advising government.
Because the NDS is an intergovernmental document, the department’s advice will be one step in a broader process. Any substantive change to the NDS would require consultation and agreement across jurisdictions and agencies.
What to watch next
Publication of departmental advice to government about the NDS (if released) or an updated NDS or consultation process across jurisdictions.
Any formal intergovernmental testing or consultations referenced by the department that could precede or accompany an NDS revision.
Bottom line
The March 2026 response confirms the government will draw on the inquiry’s submissions and evidence when preparing advice on the National Drug Strategy, while stopping short of committing to specific policy changes, timelines or funding. The response also reiterates the need to align NDS advice with Closing the Gap obligations and to consider culturally appropriate services for First Nations communities.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU
Impact by role
Watch
Participant
What it means: Participants’ submissions or evidence may inform future advice, but the response does not commit to policy or service changes.
What to do: Continue to rely on current supports; consider engaging in any future consultations.
What to watch: Announcements about NDS review outcomes or national consultation processes.
Watch
Allied Health
What it means: Clinical and service-delivery evidence provided to the inquiry may be considered in advice; no operational changes are confirmed.
What to do: Monitor for any calls for evidence, consultations, or guidance linked to NDS advice and keep engagement records.
What to watch: Departmental publications, consultation papers or intergovernmental agreement activity related to the NDS.
Watch
Family / Carer
What it means: Family and carer perspectives submitted to the inquiry are part of the evidence base, but no direct service or support changes are announced.
What to do: Stay informed about potential NDS consultation opportunities and any future announcements about supports.
What to watch: Public consultations and any NDS review outcomes affecting family and carer support arrangements.
Watch
Recovery Coach
What it means: Evidence from frontline and lived-experience submissions has been acknowledged; however, the response does not commit to particular reforms or new service models.
What to do: Retain records of practice insights and submissions and participate in stakeholder consultations if invited.
What to watch: Announcements of NDS review steps, consultation opportunities or changes to service funding models.
Watch
Support Worker
What it means: There is potential for future policy changes informed by inquiry evidence, but no immediate changes to practice or funding are indicated.
What to do: Continue current practice and be alert for guidance or sector consultations that may follow any NDS review.
What to watch: Sector briefings, provider communications and any public consultation on an NDS update.
Watch
Provider / Manager
What it means: Providers’ submissions to the inquiry are formally on the record and may inform the evidence base used in advice to government, but no policy, funding or contractual changes are confirmed by the response.
What to do: Maintain existing service delivery and monitoring. Keep a copy of any submissions made to the inquiry and watch for departmental advice or NDS consultation documents.
What to watch: Publication of departmental advice on the NDS, any intergovernmental consultation processes, or an updated NDS.
OFFICIAL SOURCE
Where to find the original source
Department of Health — Alcohol & Other Drugs updates
Original article: Australian Government response to the Standing Committee Issues Paper relating to the health impacts of alcohol and other drugs in Australia
Published: 13 March 2026
Sectorscope articles combine official source material with editorial analysis. For authoritative wording, consultation details and updates, review the original source.