Do Australians eat a lot of sugar? A closer look at consumption and health

December 15, 2025 •

3 min read

According to a 2018 ABC News report referencing University of Sydney research, more than half of Australians exceed the World Health Organisation's recommended daily intake of added sugars. This statistic suggests that, yes, Australians do eat a lot of sugar, particularly from hidden sources in processed foods and beverages.

Quick Summary

This article explores Australian sugar consumption patterns, contrasting national intake with global health guidelines. It examines hidden sugar sources in everyday foods, discusses specific consumption trends among different age groups, and outlines the significant health consequences associated with excessive intake.

Key Points

High Consumption Rate: Over 50% of Australians exceed the World Health Organisation's recommended daily limit for added sugar, with national intake remaining high.
Hidden Sugars are a Major Factor: Much of the high intake comes from hidden sugars in processed products, not just obvious sweets.
Teenagers are Particularly Vulnerable: Adolescents have some of the highest sugar consumption rates, largely driven by sugar-sweetened beverages.
Significant Health Impacts: Excessive sugar intake contributes to obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and poor dental health.
Confusing Labelling: Australia lacks clear regulations on labelling added sugars, making it hard for consumers to identify and limit their intake.
Political Debate on a Sugar Tax: Public health advocates, including the AMA, have pushed for a tax on sugary drinks to combat overconsumption.

A National Sweet Tooth: How Much Sugar Do Australians Really Eat?

Evidence suggests Australians consume significant amounts of sugar, especially free and added sugars found in processed foods and drinks. While some data indicates a slight decrease compared to previous decades, overall intake remains above international health recommendations. The average Australian consumes more sugar than the World Health Organisation's (WHO) suggestion of a maximum 10% of daily energy from free sugars. Certain groups, such as teenagers, show even higher daily intake levels. This overconsumption is largely due to hidden sugars in the modern food supply.

The Sneaky Sources of Hidden Sugars

Beyond obvious culprits like lollies and soft drinks, hidden sugars are prevalent in many foods, making it difficult to track intake. This practice makes adhering to guidelines challenging and can lead to consistent overconsumption.

Key sources of hidden sugar include:

Breakfast cereals.
Sauces and condiments.
Flavoured dairy products.
Pre-packaged meals.
Juices and sports drinks.

Demographics and High-Risk Groups

Sugar consumption varies across Australian age groups, with some demographics having significantly higher intake. Targeted strategies and education are needed.

Teenagers: Over 75% of 14 to 18-year-olds exceed WHO guidelines, largely from sugary drinks.
Children: Younger children also consume high levels, despite some recent improvements. Marketing of sugary items to this group remains a concern.
Young Adults: The 19 to 30-year-old group also frequently exceeds recommended limits.

The Health Consequences of Excessive Sugar Intake

High sugar intake has serious health consequences, extending beyond dental issues to increasing the risk of chronic diseases.

Excessive sugar consumption is linked to:

Weight gain and obesity.
Type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular disease.
Dental decay.
Liver disease.

Comparing Australian Sugar Intake to Health Recommendations

Comparing Australian intake to benchmarks highlights the disparity. This table shows the difference between recommendations and actual consumption for some Australians.


Measure	WHO Recommendation	Average Australian Adult Consumption (approx.)	High-Risk Australian Teenager (approx.)
Free Sugar Limit	Less than 10% of total energy (ideally <5%)	Exceeds 10%	Up to 13% of total energy
Teaspoons Per Day	6 teaspoons (for optimal health)	Up to 14 teaspoons	Up to 38 teaspoons
Annual Sugar Intake	Approx. 9kg (based on 6 tsp/day)	Approx. 22kg	Well over 50kg

The Lack of Clear Labelling

A significant obstacle to reducing sugar intake in Australia is the absence of clear labelling. Unlike other countries, Australia doesn't require distinguishing between added and naturally occurring sugars. This makes informed choices difficult, as manufacturers use various names for added sugars.

Conclusion

Despite some reduction, Australians still consume significant amounts of sugar, consistently above global health recommendations. Hidden sugars in processed foods and marketing to young demographics remain key issues. Given the health consequences, improved labelling and public health education are crucial. Addressing high sugar intake is vital for tackling obesity and reducing chronic diseases in Australia. https://www.choice.com.au/food-and-drink/nutrition/sugar/articles/five-things-you-didnt-know-about-added-sugar

Can a sugar tax solve Australia’s sugar problem?

Some propose a tax on sugary drinks as a public health measure to reduce consumption. The Australian Medical Association (AMA) supports taxing sugar-sweetened beverages due to links with chronic diseases. A tax could encourage healthier choices by increasing prices, but concerns exist about the impact on lower-income households. Critics also note it wouldn't address hidden sugars in packaged foods.

Tips for Reducing Your Sugar Intake

Reducing sugar is achievable with simple changes and awareness. Practical tips include:

Reading ingredient labels carefully.
Limiting sugary drinks.
Choosing whole foods.
Cooking more at home.
Being cautious of 'health' foods.
Reducing condiment use.
Gradually cutting back sugar intake.

Australia’s Sugar Consumption and Its Global Context

Australia's high consumption is not unique but remains concerning. Processed foods contribute to the issue globally. However, Australia's lack of transparent added sugar labelling disadvantages consumers compared to countries with better regulations. This makes personal monitoring particularly difficult for the average Australian shopper.

Frequently Asked Questions

In 2011/12, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported that Australians consumed an average of 60 grams of free sugars per day, which equates to approximately 14 teaspoons.

The World Health Organisation recommends that adults and children consume less than 10% of their total daily energy from free sugars, with a further reduction to 5% (around 6 teaspoons) providing additional health benefits.

Soft drinks, cordial, fruit juice, cakes, and sugary spreads are among the most common sources of free and added sugars in the Australian diet.

Australian food labels do not distinguish between added and natural sugars, and manufacturers use dozens of different names for added sugar on ingredient lists, making it confusing for consumers.

Studies have shown that children and teenagers typically exceed sugar guidelines more than adults, with some teenage boys consuming very high levels of added sugar.

Excessive sugar intake is strongly linked to weight gain, obesity, dental decay, and chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has publicly called for a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to address high consumption and associated health problems, but the government has historically ruled out such a tax.