Skip to content
Beta
The website is currently in development and some functionality is not yet available. You are welcome to add your feedback as we continue to update content.
Browser not supported. Not optimized for Internet Explorer 11. To get the best possible experience using this site we recommend you use the latest versions of Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Firefox.
Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Community Insights
Skip to navigation

Life expectancy and mortality

Life expectancy at birth for Indigenous Australians is 75.6 years for females and 71.6 years for males
The rate of potentially avoidable deaths among Indigenous Australians fell by 17% between 2006 and 2018
Cancers are currently the leading cause of death among Indigenous Australians

Wayne Quilliam Photography

Overview

Life expectancy is a widely used summary measure of population health. Although Australia’s national life expectancy is high compared with that of other countries, there are significant disparities between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and non-Indigenous Australians.

You can also find regional statistics in the Regional overview dashboard; search for your community and select the relevant topic.

Key facts
71.6 years

Life expectancy at birth for Indigenous males in 2015–2017

75.6 years

Life expectancy at birth for Indigenous females in 2015–2017

60.8 years

Median age at death for Indigenous Australians in 2019

60.7%

of deaths among Indigenous Australians aged 0–74 were potentially avoidable in 2014–2018

13.7 per 1,000

Death rate for Indigenous Australians in Remote and Very remote areas in 2019 (age-standardised)

Indigenous deaths in 2014–2018
Select a state to view more statistics

Export