Leslie Massey
Australia has seen its fair share of disasters and tragedies, resulting in the loss of many lives. From the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 that claimed 35 lives to the more recent bushfires in 2020, which devastated the east coasts of New South Wales and Victoria, resulting in a death toll of at least 17 and rising. The country has also faced other challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the overall death toll in recent years. In 2023, there were 183,131 registered deaths in Australia, with variations in mortality rates across different states and territories.
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What You'll Learn
Total deaths in Australia in 2023: 183,131
In 2023, there were 183,131 registered deaths in Australia, a decrease of 7,808 since 2022. The standardised death rate decreased to 5.1 deaths per 1,000 people, down from 5.5 in 2022. Infant deaths decreased by 47 to 911.
There were 96,180 male deaths and 86,951 female deaths, resulting in a sex ratio of 110.6 male deaths for every 100 female deaths. Less than 1% of all deaths were among children aged 0–4 years, while over two-thirds (68%) were among people aged 75 and over.
The leading underlying cause of death for males was coronary heart disease, accounting for 10,343 (11%) deaths, followed by dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. For all age groups, males had a higher death rate compared to females, with the rate ratio being largest in the youngest age group and smallest in the oldest age group.
COVID-19 was the 8th or 9th leading cause of death, with 5,001 deaths (2.7% of all deaths). This represented a 49% decrease from 2022, when there were 9,862 deaths due to COVID-19. More than half (55%) of COVID-19 deaths occurred among those aged 85 and over.
There were 5,256 deaths registered where the person was identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, an increase of 171 deaths nationally from 2022. The Northern Territory and Queensland recorded decreases, while all other states and territories recorded increases. New South Wales recorded the largest numerical increase, with 1,779 deaths compared to 1,691 in 2022.
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First Nations deaths in 2021-23: 12,947
In 2023, there were 183,131 registered deaths in Australia, a decrease from 2022. The standardised death rate also decreased from 5.5 deaths in 2022 to 5.1 deaths.
Between 2021 and 2023, there were 12,947 registered deaths of First Nations people in Australia. This figure only includes data from the 5 jurisdictions with sufficient levels of identification and numbers of deaths to support mortality analysis: New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory. The crude death rate for First Nations people was 492 deaths per 100,000 population.
The leading causes of death for First Nations people in this period were coronary heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Suicide was also a leading cause of death, particularly for First Nations males, who died by suicide at a rate of 42 per 100,000 population. First Nations people also died from potentially avoidable causes at a much higher rate than non-Indigenous Australians. Between 2021 and 2023, 58% of deaths of First Nations people under 75 were from potentially avoidable causes.
The higher death rate among First Nations people is partly due to their lower life expectancy compared to non-Indigenous Australians. First Nations people are more likely to die at younger ages, and their median age at death has been increasing over time. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has also introduced enhancements to the derivation of Indigenous status, which has led to an increased number of recorded deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Leading causes of death: heart disease, diabetes, COPD
Australia recorded 183,131 deaths in 2023, a decrease of 7,808 since 2022. The leading causes of death in 2023 were ischaemic heart disease, dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), cerebrovascular disease, lung cancer, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. Ischaemic heart disease accounted for 9.2% of deaths, while dementia accounted for 9.1%.
Heart disease is a condition that affects the heart's blood supply. It includes a range of diseases that narrow or block the blood vessels, leading to heart attacks and angina. Ischaemic heart disease is a common type of heart disease characterised by reduced blood flow to the heart, typically due to a build-up of plaque in the arteries. While age-standardised mortality rates have decreased in recent years, ischaemic heart disease remains a leading cause of death in Australia.
Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot regulate blood sugar levels effectively. It can lead to serious complications, including kidney damage, nerve damage, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. While diabetes may not always be the direct cause of death, its complications can be fatal. In 2022, diabetes contributed to around 21,900 deaths in Australia, with a higher prevalence among males and older age groups. Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, diabetes-related deaths were significantly higher, with a rate 4.6 times that of non-Indigenous people.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for long-term lung conditions, including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and bronchiectasis. COPD affects about 1 in 20 Australians aged 45 and over, and it is more prevalent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, affecting 1 in 10. It is a major cause of death in Australia, particularly in farming communities.
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Infant mortality rate: 911 deaths
In 2023, there were 911 infant deaths in Australia, a decrease of 47 from 2022. This is the lowest number of infant deaths ever recorded in Australia, with the rate of deaths per 1,000 live births falling to 3.2 in 2023, down from 68.5 in 1911 and 3.3 in 2017. This is one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world.
The infant mortality rate is a key indicator of the health status of a population and can provide insights into the effectiveness of the maternal and perinatal health system. In 2023, the infant mortality rate in Australia was 3.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, a significant decrease from previous years. This rate includes all deaths of children under 1 year of age during the calendar year.
While the overall number of infant deaths in Australia has decreased, there are still disparities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. In 2023, the crude death rate for First Nations people was 492 deaths per 100,000 population, with First Nations people dying at 1.8 times the rate of non-Indigenous Australians. However, the life expectancy and median age at death for First Nations people have been increasing over time.
The leading causes of infant deaths in Australia include symptoms, signs, and abnormal findings, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS accounted for 3% of all infant deaths, with the rate declining since the beginning of national public education campaigns in 1991. Other leading causes include complications of placenta, cord, and membranes, as well as disorders of short gestation and low birth weight.
Overall, the decreasing infant mortality rate in Australia reflects improvements in healthcare and maternal and perinatal health systems, contributing to increasing life expectancy and a healthier population.
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Deaths in March 2025: 14,310
In March 2025, there were 14,310 deaths in Australia, a decrease of 688 (4.6%) from 2024 and 558 (3.8%) from 2023. The age-standardised death rate (SDR) for March was 37.9 deaths per 100,000 people, lower than the rates for 2023 (41.1) and 2024 (42.0). This decrease in the number of deaths in Australia is consistent with the general trend of declining death rates in the country.
Respiratory diseases were a significant cause of death in March 2025, with a 3.9% increase from 2024 and a 5.7% increase from 2023. Influenza was a notable contributor, causing 44 deaths in March 2025 compared to 18 and 11 in 2024 and 2023, respectively. However, deaths from pneumonia and chronic respiratory diseases were lower in 2025 than in the previous two years.
While deaths from cerebrovascular diseases remained unchanged from 2024, they showed a 5.7% decrease from 2023. Additionally, deaths from cancer, dementia, ischaemic heart disease, other cardiac conditions, and diabetes were lower in March 2025 compared to the previous two years.
COVID-19 was a contributing factor listed on 32 death certificates in March 2025, indicating a decrease in its impact as the underlying cause of death. Overall, the leading causes of death in Australia in recent years have been coronary heart disease, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
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Frequently asked questions
At least 23 people died in the Australia fires in 2020, with the number predicted to rise.
Wildfires in Australia have killed up to 18 people in a 24-hour period.
There were 183,131 registered deaths in Australia in 2023.
The Port Arthur massacre in 1996 claimed 35 lives.
The 1950 Australian National Airways Douglas DC-4 crash claimed 29 lives. The 1946 Australian National Airways DC-3 crash killed 25 people.
