This information sheet provides concise information for primary care health professionals, based on the National Asthma Council’s updated Australian Asthma Handbook.
Too many Australians with asthma are at risk of severe asthma exacerbations due to over-reliance on short-acting beta2 agonists (SABAs).
Relying on SABA, without treating airway inflammation, increases risk of severe exacerbations that require systemic corticosteroid treatment or hospitalisation.
SABA use more than 2 days per week on average indicates failure to maintain good asthma control and increased risk of severe asthma exacerbations.
The National Asthma Council's Australian Asthma Handbook recommendations for asthma treatment have changed:
No-one aged 12+ years should manage their asthma solely with a SABA. Switch to as-needed budesonide–formoterol.
For patients aged 12+ years, maintenance and-reliever therapy with beclometasone formoterol or budesonide-formoterol is now recommended, instead of maintenance inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus as-needed SABA.
As-needed SABA alone is inadequate asthma treatment for most patients aged 6–11 years, and for many patients aged 1–5 years. Maintenance ICS treatment is recommended for most children.
Acknowledgements
Developed by the National Asthma Council Australia in collaboration with:
Clinical Associate Professor Debbie Rigby
Advanced practice pharmacist
Professor Amanda Barnard
General practitioner
Professor Bandana Saini
Pharmacist and lead researcher
Professor Tom Skinner
Respiratory physician
This information was developed independently by the National Asthma Council Australia with support from Chiesi Australia
Disclaimer
Although all care has been taken, this information is a general guide only, which is not a substitute for assessment of appropriate courses of treatment on a case-by-case basis. The National Asthma Council Australia expressly disclaims all responsibility (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or personal injury resulting from reliance on the information contained herein.
© National Asthma Council Australia 2026
An information sheet for health professionals based on the Australian Asthma Handbook
An information sheet for health professionals based on the Australian Asthma Handbook
An essential guide to selecting and adjusting asthma medication for adults and adolescents available in Australia, updated December 2025.
