Health in Greater Melbourne, Australia: official figures
62,360 births were registered to mothers living in Greater Melbourne in 2024, and the total fertility rate was 1.40 births per woman, below the national figure (1.54). Boundary: Greater Melbourne, the ABS Greater Capital City Statistical Area (the city and its commuting zone).
What is the death rate in Greater Melbourne?
30,643 deaths were registered in Greater Melbourne in 2024. After adjusting for age, the death rate was 4.9 per 1,000 people, joint 6th lowest of 26 areas, below the national figure (5.3).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne have a long-term health condition?
36.6% of residents of Greater Melbourne reported at least one long-term health condition at the 2021 Census, 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (39.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne have mental health problems?
8.1% of residents of Greater Melbourne had a mental health condition (including depression or anxiety) at the 2021 Census, joint 5th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.8%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne have arthritis?
6.9% of residents of Greater Melbourne had arthritis at the 2021 Census, 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.5%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne have asthma?
7.9% of residents of Greater Melbourne had asthma at the 2021 Census, 14th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (8.1%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne have diabetes?
4.5% of residents of Greater Melbourne had diabetes at the 2021 Census, joint 14th highest of 31 areas, below the national figure (4.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne have heart disease?
3.3% of residents of Greater Melbourne had heart disease (including heart attack or angina) at the 2021 Census, 9th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (3.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne have cancer?
2.5% of residents of Greater Melbourne had cancer (including remission) at the 2021 Census, 7th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (2.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne have dementia?
0.7% of residents of Greater Melbourne 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 Melbourne have lung disease?
1.2% of residents of Greater Melbourne had a lung condition (including COPD or emphysema) at the 2021 Census, joint 6th lowest of 31 areas, below the national figure (1.7%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne need help with daily activities?
5.5% of residents of Greater Melbourne 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 Melbourne have private health insurance?
About 33 in every 100 residents of Greater Melbourne had private health insurance in 2021-22 (1,634,823 people reported cover; Australia 34), 10th lowest of 26 areas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Greater Melbourne are unpaid carers?
12.6% of residents of Greater Melbourne gave unpaid help to a person with a disability at the 2021 Census, above the national figure (11.9%).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow Greater Melbourne compares with other cities in Australia
Age-standardised death rate per 1,000 people, 2024 (2024)
Greater Melbourne ranks 21 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Gold Coast | 4.9 |
| 19 | Canberra | 4.9 |
| 20 | Greater Sydney | 4.9 |
| 21 | Greater Melbourne | 4.9 |
| 22 | Sunshine Coast | 4.8 |
| 23 | Sydney | 4.8 |
| 24 | Greater Perth | 4.8 |
Residents with a long-term health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Melbourne ranks 23 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Canberra | 39.0% |
| 21 | Hobart | 38.9% |
| 22 | Greater Perth | 37.5% |
| 23 | Greater Melbourne | 36.6% |
| 24 | Brisbane | 36.4% |
| 25 | Adelaide | 35.6% |
| 26 | Greater Darwin | 35.5% |
Residents with a mental health condition, 2021 Census (2021 Census)
Greater Melbourne ranks 25 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Gold Coast-Tweed Heads | 8.5% |
| 23 | Gold Coast | 8.4% |
| 24 | Greater Perth | 8.4% |
| 25 | Greater Melbourne | 8.1% |
| 26 | Melbourne | 8.1% |
| 27 | Perth | 8.1% |
| 28 | Cairns | 7.9% |
More on Greater Melbourne: 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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