NCETA is multidisciplinary Centre that collaborates with a diverse range of institutions and organisations involved in AOD research, policy making, and service provision. We are leaders in the field of translating research into practice and developing practical and accessible resources for both the AOD sector and private, commercial industries. See our current projects and research below along with opportunities for students to work with us.

Current projects and research

NCETA’s 2026–27 workplan will deliver a diverse program of research and resource development addressing emerging priorities, workforce needs and evidence gaps across the alcohol and other drug sector. Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, our plan includes projects spanning opioid dependence, alcohol, tobacco, methamphetamine, medicinal cannabis, workforce development and digital resources.

Key projects will:

  • Examine barriers and enablers to accessing take-home naloxone.
  • Review variations in training and registration requirements for prescribing medications for opioid dependence.
  • Investigate heavy drinking among women and their experiences of accessing treatment.
  • Determine the financial and employment outcomes associated with completing AOD vocational qualifications.
  • Develop medicinal cannabis resources to support Australian workplaces.
  • Examine medicinal cannabis use among employed people.
  • Review methamphetamine use in Australia and identify critical gaps requiring dedicated research.
  • Investigate a new approach to informing the community about alcohol-related harms.
  • Examine patterns of smoking and alcohol consumption among Australian adults.
  • Strengthen the evidence base for addressing smoking prevalence among priority populations.
  • Evaluate how population-level tobacco control interventions affect socioeconomic inequalities in smoking.
  • Review and update the National Alcohol and Drug Knowledgebase, Your Worklife and NCETA websites to reflect the latest evidence.

 

NCETA are also working on the following projects funded by external organisations:

 

Click here to see some of our past projects and research undertaken.

Student Opportunities - 2026/27

We are seeking motivated students with an interest in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector to contribute to current projects addressing real-world industry needs. These opportunities are designed to help students build practical research experience, contribute to meaningful solutions and develop career-ready skills.

Some of the projects currently available are listed below, but we also welcome your ideas.

Interested to know more? Contact us at nceta@flinders.edu.au and we will put you in contact with the right team member.

Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs

  • Investigate the availability of zero-alcohol beverages in Adelaide hospitality venues.
  • Investigate heavy drinking among women and treatment-seeking experiences and practices.
  • Explore a new approach to communicating the harms associated with alcohol consumption to the community.
  • Examine whether increasing awareness of alcohol's environmental impact or vaping-related e-waste could motivate people to reduce their consumption.
  • Consult a selected workforce to understand worker's perspectives on providing take-home naloxone.
  • Investigate employees' experiences of using medicinal cannabis and disclosing its use in the workplace.
  • Analyse online information about medicinal cannabis developed for employees and managers.
  • Examine patterns and profiles of methamphetamine use in Australia.
  • Review contingency management and other psychological interventions for treating methamphetamine use disorder.
  • Conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of severe methamphetamine-related presentations to hospital emergency departments.

 

AOD Workforce Development

  • Undertake a systematic or scoping review of AOD-related absenteeism.
  • Identify barriers, enablers and motivators associated with including AOD-related subjects, course content and student placements in university social work programs through a survey or interviews with program directors, course coordinators and other staff responsible for curriculum and placement design.
  • Conduct a national online survey of current and former AOD vocational education and training students, including those who partially and fully completed qualifications. The survey will examine study hours and completion times, placement experiences, advertised and out-of-pocket fees, access to subsidies and other financial assistance, reasons for non-completion, employment outcomes, career progression and movement into, within or out of the AOD workforce.