Health in Greater Brisbane, Australia: official figures
29,687 births were registered to mothers living in Greater Brisbane in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.49 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: Greater Brisbane, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
What is the death rate in Greater Brisbane?
16,839 deaths were registered in Greater Brisbane in 2024. After adjusting for age, the death rate was 5.4 per 1,000 people, joint 13th highest of 26 areas, above the national figure (5.3).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have a long-term health condition?
40.3% of residents of Greater Brisbane reported at least one long-term health condition at the 2021 Census, 15th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (39.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have mental health problems?
10.1% of residents of Greater Brisbane had a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) at the 2021 Census, joint 13th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (8.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have arthritis?
8.0% of residents of Greater Brisbane had arthritis at the 2021 Census, 14th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have asthma?
8.9% of residents of Greater Brisbane had asthma at the 2021 Census, 11th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (8.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have diabetes?
4.4% of residents of Greater Brisbane had diabetes at the 2021 Census, 16th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (4.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have heart disease?
3.9% of residents of Greater Brisbane had heart disease (including heart attack or angina) at the 2021 Census, 16th highest of 31 areas, about the same as the national figure (3.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have cancer?
2.9% of residents of Greater Brisbane had cancer (including remission) at the 2021 Census, joint 14th lowest of 31 areas, about the same as the national figure (2.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have dementia?
0.7% of residents of Greater Brisbane had dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) at the 2021 Census, joint 10th lowest of 31 areas, about the same as the national figure (0.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have lung disease?
1.9% of residents of Greater Brisbane had a lung condition (including COPD or emphysema) at the 2021 Census, joint 13th highest of 31 areas, above the national figure (1.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane need help with daily activities?
5.7% of residents of Greater Brisbane said they needed help with core activities (self-care, mobility or communication) because of a disability, long-term health condition or old age at the 2021 Census, below the national figure (5.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane have private health insurance?
About 32 in every 100 residents of Greater Brisbane had private health insurance in 2021-22 (828,566 people reported cover; Australia 34), 7th lowest of 26 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Brisbane are unpaid carers?
11.5% of residents of Greater Brisbane gave unpaid help to a person with a disability at the 2021 Census, below the national figure (11.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Brisbane compares with other cities in Australia
Age-standardised death rate per 1,000 people, 2024 (2024)
Greater Brisbane ranks 13 of 26, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like. Not published for Significant Urban Areas.
| Rank | City | Age-standardised death rate per 1,000 people, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Hobart | 5.7 |
| 11 | Wollongong | 5.6 |
| 12 | Greater Darwin | 5.6 |
| 13 | Greater Brisbane | 5.4 |
| 14 | Toowoomba | 5.4 |
| 15 | Melbourne | 5.4 |
| 16 | Greater Adelaide | 5.3 |
Residents with a long-term health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Brisbane ranks 15 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Residents with a long-term health condition, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Sunshine Coast | 42.5% |
| 13 | Wollongong | 42.1% |
| 14 | Greater Adelaide | 40.7% |
| 15 | Greater Brisbane | 40.3% |
| 16 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | 40.2% |
| 17 | Cairns | 40.0% |
| 18 | Gold Coast | 39.6% |
Residents with a mental health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Brisbane ranks 13 of 31, highest first. Values cover the 18 city council areas (ABS Local Government Areas), 8 greater capital city areas (Canberra is the whole Australian Capital Territory) and, where the 2021 Census community profile gives the figure, 5 Significant Urban Areas. The areas overlap (for example the City of Brisbane lies inside Greater Brisbane), so compare like with like.
| Rank | City | Residents with a mental health condition, 2021 Census |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Hobart | 10.6% |
| 11 | Townsville | 10.4% |
| 12 | Greater Wollongong | 10.2% |
| 13 | Greater Brisbane | 10.1% |
| 14 | Wollongong | 10.1% |
| 15 | Canberra-Queanbeyan | 10.0% |
| 16 | Canberra | 10.0% |
More on Greater Brisbane: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · all cities in Australia
Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Greater Capital City Statistical Areas and Australia (ASGS Edition 3), all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bf78744b9729…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Data by region 2011-2025: Local Government Areas (ASGS Edition 3), 18 city councils, all indicators, read 28 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 788eca55906d…)
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