Asthma can usually be controlled with effective clinical care, appropriate medications, and by following a written asthma action plan. Asthma can, however, be fatal.

The National Asthma Council Australia (NAC) was formed in about 1989, partly in response to the high number of asthma-related deaths at that time. As a result of a wide range of initiatives led by the NAC and in collaboration with many other asthma stakeholders, asthma-related deaths have since fallen dramatically.

Asthma-related deaths in Australia have now dropped from a peak of 964 in 1989 to less than half that number today. Yet every asthma death is a tragedy, and people of all ages must continue to take asthma seriously.

Latest statistics

In 2010, asthma caused the deaths of 416 Australians.

To read about what this means for the asthma community, go to our media release: Rise in child asthma deaths concerning

For a detailed breakdown of the 2010 statistics, please download the ABS Customised Report 2010.
A sub-set of the paediatric data can be downloaded here: Paediatric Data 2005-2010

For data from 2001 to 2010, please view the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) report: 3303.0 Causes of Death Australia, 2010

Note: Asthma-related deaths are shown under the codes Asthma & Status Asthmaticus (J45 & J46).

Past analysis

In 2009, asthma caused the deaths of 411 Australians.
For a detailed breakdown of the 2009 statistics, please download the ABS Customised Report 2009.

Due to changes in ABS reporting, comparative analysis of these figures with earlier data is no longer possible.

Reports for 1960 to 2008 can be downloaded here: Asthma deaths 1960-2008 update

Further information

Detailed asthma statistics and analysis are available from:

Australian Centre for Asthma Monitoring (ACAM)
ACAM aims to assist in reducing the burden of asthma in Australia by developing, collating and interpreting data relevant to asthma prevention, management and health policy.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
AIHW is Australia's national agency for health and welfare statistics and information.