A recent University of Sydney-led study estimates that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) affects approximately 3.64% of Australians, roughly one child per classroom.
FASD, resulting from Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE), is a preventable disability. Often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, it stands as the leading non-genetic cause of developmental disability in Australia.
Published in the Drug and Alcohol Review, the study is the first to use national data to estimate the prevalence of FASD in Australia. It is based on a meta-analysis of 78 studies conducted between 1975 and 2018.
The study highlights the critical need for early diagnosis and intervention, particularly in vulnerable populations like youth in detention, children in foster care, and remote Aboriginal communities, where prevalence rates are notably higher.
“Our finding is a wake-up call,” FASD Hub Australia Chair Professor Elizabeth Elliott said.
“We need action across multiple sectors – health, education, justice – to ensure we prevent future cases and support people living with FASD.”
The study was led by the late Dr Tracey Tsang, who spearheaded the research with a deep passion for supporting children with FASD. Professor Elliott shared that the team sees this work as a powerful reflection of Dr Tsang’s unwavering commitment to advancing children’s health.
Drug and Alcohol Review: Tsang, T., Rosenblatt, D., Parta, I., Elliott, E. (2025). Estimating the Prevalence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder in Australia
