Reports Print this page

People with mental illness can access a variety of support services, which are delivered by governments, and by the private and not-for-profit sectors. Mental health treatment, care and support is provided in a range of settings and services, including:

• specialised hospital services – public and private
• residential mental health services
• community mental health care services
• primary care services.

People living with mental illness, and in particular severe (and often long-term) mental illness, such as a psychotic disorder like schizophrenia, are more likely to develop comorbid physical illness and tend to die earlier than the general population. 

Mental health is a key component of overall health and wellbeing. Mental illnesses include anxiety disorders, affective disorders, psychotic disorders and substance use disorders.

Stress and trauma affect the physical and emotional wellbeing of millions of Australians. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to unfold and there is a significant amount of uncertainty, it is normal for people to experience symptoms of emotional distress.

Mental health services: in brief 2019 is the companion publication to the online report Mental health services in Australia (MHSA). The in brief provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians.

Mental health services: In brief 2018 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians.

Mental health services: in brief 2017 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians.

Mental health services – In brief 2016 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. It is designed to accompany the more comprehensive data on Australia’s mental health services.

Mental health services—in brief 2015 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. It is designed to accompany the more comprehensive data on Australia’s mental health services available online at .

Mental health services—in brief 2014 provides an overview of data about the national response of the health and welfare system to the mental health care needs of Australians. It is designed to accompany the more comprehensive data on Australia’s mental health services available online at mhsa.aihw.gov.au.

Alcohol, tobacco and other drug use is a major cause of preventable disease, illness and death in Australia. This report consolidates recent information on the availability and consumption of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs in Australia, and related impacts, harms and treatment.

This report is regularly updated with data from a range of sources. There are differences in the source year and frequency of publication. See the Summary of main data sources and Notes for more information. Content is correct as at 31 March 2023. Reports released after this date will be included in the next scheduled release.

People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are identified as a priority population in a number of key Australian Government health strategies. This web report is part of a program of work on the health status of CALD people in Australia and presents data on the prevalence of chronic conditions reported by CALD Australians in the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ 2021 Census of Population and Housing.

The AIHW Specialist Homelessness Services Collection includes information about clients receiving homelessness services support from 1 July 2011 onwards. These data have been analysed to examine service usage patterns and demographics for specific cohorts. Additional insights will be added regularly to this report.

Australia’s health 2022: data insights is a collection of 10 in-depth articles on selected health topics, including a focus on the health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the evolution of the health system over the last 100 years, and the importance of a strong evidence base for supporting the health of Australians.

Australia’s health 2022 is the 18th biennial health report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. This edition's full product suite comprises:

• Australia's health 2022: data insights
• Australia’s health: topic summaries
• Australia’s health 2022: in brief.

People experiencing both homelessness and mental health issues are a vulnerable sub-group of SHS clients. Longitudinal SHSC data can be used to provide deeper insights into the experiences of these SHS clients over time.

Childhood is an important time for healthy development, learning, and establishing the foundations for future wellbeing. Most Australian children are healthy, safe and doing well. However, childhood is also a time of vulnerability and a child’s outcomes can vary depending on where they live and their family’s circumstances. This report brings together a range of data on children’s wellbeing and their experiences at home, school and in the community. Highlights are presented in Australia’s children: in brief.

This report summarises evidence on the prevalence of sleep problems and their relationship with chronic health conditions. It shows that Australian adults commonly report sleep problems, and that getting too much or too little sleep is associated with an increased risk of several conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke. Data limitations and opportunities for monitoring sleep are also discussed.

Australia’s welfare 2021: data insights presents an overview of the welfare data landscape and explores selected welfare topics – including the social determinants of wellbeing, and the impact COVID-19 has had on employment and income levels, the housing system and wellbeing – in 8 original articles.

Australia’s welfare 2021 is the 15th biennial welfare report of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. This Australia’s welfare 2021: data insights report is part of an expanded product suite that includes:

• Australia’s welfare snapshots
• Australia’s welfare 2021: in brief
• Australia’s welfare indicators.

This report looks at the direct and indirect health effects of COVID-19 in Australia. It includes information on case numbers, deaths and burden of disease as well as the impact on other diseases, health services, changes in health behaviours and social determinants. By 20 June 2021, there had been just over 30,000 cases and 910 deaths from COVID-19 in Australia. Some groups in the population were more affected than others.

Most young people in Australia are happy, feel positive about the future and are satisfied with their lives overall. However, some young people suffer poor mental health.

Part of: Australia's youth