Asthma Deaths in Australia Reach 484 in 2025
The National Asthma Council Australia reported 484 asthma deaths in 2025, up from 481 the year before, alongside updated treatment guidance.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Asthma
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The National Asthma Council Australia released Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing 484 Australians died from asthma in 2025. The 2025 total includes 315 females and 169 males, compared with 481 deaths recorded in 2024.
Why it matters
The figures come as updated Australian Asthma Handbook recommendations shift treatment toward inhalers containing inhaled corticosteroids, which affects how patients and clinicians manage the condition across the country.
Australian Bureau of Statistics mortality data shows 484 asthma deaths in 2025, up from 481 in 2024, with women over 75 accounting for 44% of all asthma deaths. The reasons for the year-on-year change were not addressed in the data released.
The players
National Asthma Council Australia
The national body that represents asthma care in Australia and publishes its clinical guidance and mortality data.
Australian Bureau of Statistics
Australia's national statistical agency, which compiles the official death data used in the asthma mortality figures.
The details
The National Asthma Council Australia released the figures, which mark the tenth year it has published asthma mortality data. The council also pointed to updated Australian Asthma Handbook guidance that recommends budesonide-formoterol for people with mild asthma and inhaled corticosteroid-formoterol for maintenance and reliever therapy.
Timeline
2024: 481 asthma deaths recorded in Australia.
2025: 484 asthma deaths recorded in Australia.
Last year: updated Australian Asthma Handbook guidelines released.
Big Picture
The updated Australian Asthma Handbook moves recommended treatment toward inhaled corticosteroid-containing regimens for both reliever and maintenance use. The 2025 death toll is reported against that new guidance.
People with asthma are encouraged to review their reliever use with a pharmacist, since community pharmacists can check inhaler technique and discuss the risks of relying on salbutamol alone. Pharmacists can also carry out Home Medicine Reviews to improve asthma control.
The takeaway
Asthma is a condition where recent guidance stresses that reliever-only treatment is not enough for many patients. Asking a pharmacist to review your inhaler use is a practical first step.
Further reading
For broader background on the condition, see Asthma.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Retail Pharmacy.
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