How much caffeine is in different drinks in Australia?

January 1, 2026 •

3 min read

According to the Australian Beverages Council, Australians consume over 5 billion cups of coffee per year, making it a primary source of caffeine. If you've ever wondered exactly how much caffeine is in different drinks in Australia, you're not alone. The content varies significantly depending on the beverage type, brand, and serving size, with strict regulations for commercial products.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the typical caffeine content found in popular drinks in Australia, including coffee, tea, energy drinks, and cola beverages. It also explains the regulations set by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and offers a comparison to help you manage your daily intake.

Key Points

Espresso Variation: Caffeine in cafe-style coffee varies significantly based on bean type and preparation, with an average espresso shot around 100mg but a wide potential range.
Energy Drink Regulation: Australian law caps energy drinks at 320mg of caffeine per litre, meaning a standard 250ml can contains 80mg.
Daily Intake Guidelines: Healthy Australian adults can typically have up to 400mg of caffeine daily, but pregnant women should limit intake to 200mg.
Factors Affecting Caffeine: The caffeine content in drinks like coffee and tea is influenced by brewing time, temperature, and bean or leaf variety.
Source of Caffeine: Coffee is the leading source of caffeine in Australia, with consumption increasing over the past decade.
Labeling Requirements: All formulated caffeinated beverages in Australia must clearly state their caffeine content and include advisory warnings.

Coffee: The Daily Grind

Coffee is a staple for many Australians, but its caffeine content is not uniform. The amount can vary widely based on the bean type, grind, brewing method, and portion size.

Cafe-Style vs. Instant Coffee

Espresso-based coffee: A standard cafe espresso shot (approximately 30ml) can contain around 100mg of caffeine, but this can fluctuate from 25mg to over 200mg depending on the outlet and preparation. A cappuccino or latte (250ml) often contains a single or double shot, bringing the average to around 160mg, though some sources report higher.
Instant coffee: A 250ml cup of instant coffee typically contains 60-80mg of caffeine, although the range can vary depending on the amount of powder used.
Brewed coffee: A 250ml cup of home-brewed filter coffee can range from 80-240mg depending on strength and roast. Robusta beans have significantly higher caffeine content than Arabica beans, a factor in commercial roasts.

Tea: A Milder Alternative

While generally lower in caffeine than coffee, tea's content also depends on its type and brew time. Longer steeping and hotter water result in more caffeine extraction.

Black tea: A standard 250ml cup of black tea typically contains 25-110mg of caffeine.
Green tea: With a lower caffeine concentration, a 250ml cup usually contains between 30-50mg.
Herbal tea: Most herbal teas, such as chamomile or peppermint, are naturally caffeine-free.

Energy and Soft Drinks: The Commercial Boost

The caffeine content in commercial energy and soft drinks is regulated by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to ensure consumer safety.

Energy Drinks

Energy drinks are classified as 'Formulated Caffeinated Beverages' and have strict limits on caffeine content.

Caffeine limit: By law, energy drinks cannot contain more than 320mg of caffeine per litre. This means a standard 250ml can contains a maximum of 80mg, though larger cans will contain more caffeine in total.
Examples: A 250ml Red Bull has 80mg, while a 500ml can of Monster or Rockstar can contain up to 160mg.

Soft Drinks

For cola-type soft drinks, the caffeine content is also regulated, though at a much lower limit.

Caffeine limit: Total caffeine must not exceed 145mg/kg.
Examples: A 375ml can of regular Coca-Cola contains around 36mg of caffeine, with Diet Coke having a slightly higher content at 48mg. Pepsi contains around 40mg per 375ml can.

A Comparison of Caffeine Levels in Australian Drinks

To illustrate the wide range of caffeine levels, the following table compares typical values per standard serving size based on Australian data.


Drink Type	Standard Serving Size	Typical Caffeine Content (mg)
Espresso-based coffee	250ml cup (with 1-2 shots)	105–160
Instant coffee	250ml cup	60–80
Brewed/Plunger coffee	250ml cup	80–240
Black Tea	250ml cup	25–110
Green Tea	250ml cup	30–50
Energy Drink	250ml can	80
Energy Drink (Large)	500ml can	160
Cola-type Soft Drink	375ml can	36–48
Dark Chocolate	60g	10–50

Recommended Daily Intake

According to FSANZ, a healthy adult can safely consume up to 400mg of caffeine per day from all sources, while pregnant or breastfeeding women should limit their intake to 200mg. This is a general guideline, and individual tolerance can vary greatly.

The Role of Preparation

Factors other than the type of beverage impact the final caffeine level. For example, a home-brewed coffee's strength depends on the amount of coffee grounds used, the water temperature, and brewing time. Similarly, a cup of tea can have more caffeine the longer the leaves are steeped. Commercial products are more consistent, with labels clearly stating the caffeine content to help consumers track their intake.

Conclusion

Understanding how much caffeine is in different drinks in Australia is crucial for managing your daily consumption and being aware of its effects. From the high potency of a cafe-style coffee to the regulated quantities in energy drinks, the content varies significantly. Being mindful of these figures, alongside FSANZ recommendations, can help you make informed choices about your caffeine consumption for better health and energy management.

For more detailed information on food standards and regulations in Australia, refer to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) website.

Frequently Asked Questions

For healthy adults in Australia, the recommended daily caffeine intake is no more than 400mg from all sources. This figure is lower for pregnant or lactating women, who should limit their intake to 200mg per day.

A standard espresso shot can contain around 100mg of caffeine, but a larger cafe coffee might contain more, while a standard 250ml energy drink is capped at 80mg by Australian law.

Yes, they differ. Instant coffee typically contains less caffeine per cup (60-80mg per 250ml) compared to brewed coffee, which can vary significantly depending on preparation, ranging from 80mg to well over 200mg per 250ml cup.

No, only cola-type soft drinks and other specifically formulated drinks have added caffeine. Even among cola drinks, the caffeine content is capped at 145mg/kg by Australian standards.

No, the caffeine content varies. Black tea generally has a higher caffeine content than green tea, and herbal teas are typically caffeine-free. Brew time and water temperature also affect the final amount.

Energy drinks are regulated by the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. They cannot contain more than 320mg of caffeine per litre and must be labelled with the caffeine quantity per serve and warnings.

The caffeine content in cafe coffee can vary due to factors like the type of coffee beans used (Arabica vs. Robusta), the amount of ground coffee in a shot, and the brewing technique, which may differ between baristas and franchises.