We collaborate with a wide network of leading respiratory experts to deliver programs and initiatives that lead the improvement of asthma care in Australia.
The National Asthma Council's Australian Asthma Handbook provides the national asthma management guidelines for health professionals and forms the foundation of all our educational activities and resources.
It provides evidence-based, clinical recommendations and practical guidance for health professionals diagnosing and managing asthma in adults, adolescents and children in primary health care settings.
The Australian Asthma Handbook was first published in 1990, initially as the Asthma Management Plan and then as the Asthma Management Handbook. The Handbook was one of the first Australian guidelines addressing the diagnosis and management of a chronic condition.
In 2014 it was published online as the Australian Asthma Handbook. This enabled applicable and timely updates to ensure primary health care professionals are always at the forefront of asthma management, nationally and internationally.
Since then, several updates have occurred, including the current Handbook, Version 3.0, published in September 2025, and launched by The Hon. Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health Ageing at a National Asthma Council webinar.
The 2025 update involved extensive research with health professionals and a major revision of the evidence and clinical guidance. The NAC Guidelines Committee undertook an extensive overview of the latest asthma guidelines from around the world and the outcome is practical recommendations for Australian primary care based on the best available evidence, and a completely revised website.
Visit the Australian Asthma Handbook.
As the leading provider of peer-led, best-practice asthma and respiratory management education, we deliver training to general practitioners, primary health care nurses and allied health professionals across Australia.
Learn more about our renowned education program.
As a trusted authority in asthma care we have led the collaborative development of national asthma strategies since 1999. Each strategy enables asthma stakeholders to work together to develop a national plan which ensures Australia continually improves asthma health outcomes.
Find out more about the Strategy
The National Asthma Council's Sensitive Choice® program helps the millions of Australians and New Zealanders with asthma and allergies live and breathe better.
Created by the National Asthma Council Australia in 2006, Sensitive Choice® informs the public about asthma and allergy management and empowers consumers to identify asthma and allergy-aware products and services.
Products and services that are Sensitive Choice® approved carry the iconic blue butterfly symbol on their packaging. These products have been rigorously reviewed and approved by an independent expert panel that determines their potential benefit to people with asthma and allergies.
Visit the Sensitive Choice website: www.sensitivechoice.com.
We actively encourage research into asthma across various disciplines and interest areas through a joint fellowship with the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ).
Learn more about our research awards.
We have a well-established international reputation. The NAC contributes to an international voice working together and sharing evidence, knowledge and resources to raise awareness about asthma and lung health and improve care and management globally.
Learn more about our international partnerships and activities.
Founded in 1999 by the NAC, the Parliamentary Friends of Asthma gives Members and Senators of the Australian Parliament an opportunity to meet with Australia’s two national asthma organisations and learn about the latest developments in asthma and its effect on the Australian community.
The National Asthma Council’s Australian Asthma Handbook is Australia's national guidelines for asthma management.
Our renowned education program and webinars are suitable for primary health care and allied professionals.
Helping people with asthma and allergies to make informed choices.
The latest news and updates about resources, campaigns, education and events.
Trusted, evidence-based information for health professionals, people with asthma and their carers.
The National Asthma Strategy is the national plan for reducing the impact of asthma on individuals, the community and the economy.
We offer a major fellowship and several smaller awards to encourage research into asthma by researchers across various disciplines and interest areas.
The group aims to raise awareness of the issues of people living with Asthma whilst at the same time considering strategies to assist Australians…