Causes of death

Causes of Death, Australia

There were 183,131 deaths in 2023, a 4.1% decline from 2022.
Ischaemic heart disease remained the leading cause of death, but less than 250 deaths separate it from dementia which was the second leading cause.
COVID-19 was the 9th leading cause of death accounting for just over 5,000 deaths.

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Causes of Death, Australia: Doctor Certified Deaths, Summary Tables

Statistics on doctor certified death registrations

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30 October 2025

Deaths due to acute respiratory infections in Australia

In August 2025 there were more deaths from influenza (211) than COVID-19 (153).
Between January and August 2025 deaths involving COVID-19 were lower than 2023 and 2024 while deaths involving influenza and RSV were higher.
In 2025 there have been more deaths of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people involving influenza than either COVID-19 or RSV.

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Provisional Mortality Statistics

72,508 deaths occurred between January and May 2025, 3.1% fewer than 2024 and 2.3% fewer than 2023.
15,685 deaths occurred in May 2025, 3.5% fewer than 2024 and 5.9% fewer than 2023.
Excess mortality by cause to December 2023 now available (see attached article).

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