Overview

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as the presence of impaired or reduced kidney function lasting at least 3 months. A person who has the most severe form of CKD, kidney failure (also known as end-stage kidney disease), usually requires a kidney transplant or dialysis to survive. The elderly, Indigenous Australians and people living in remote and socioeconomically disadvantaged areas are at an increased risk of CKD.

Featured summary

37% of treated kidney failure cases in 2021 were caused by diabetes
17% of total hospitalisations (2 million) were associated with CKD in 2020–21
The number of people with kidney failure receiving kidney replacement therapy more than doubled between 2000 and 2021, from 11,700 to 28,500
12% of deaths (20,000) in 2021 involved CKD

Australian Centre for Monitoring Population Health

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Latest findings

2 million hospitalisations recorded CKD as a diagnosis in 2020–21 – 17% of all hospitalisations in Australia

In 2021, 28,500 people with kidney failure received kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in Australia

In 2021, 15,200 people with kidney failure received dialysis and 857 kidney transplant operations were performed

By Primary Health Network, type 2 diabetes rates were generally higher in regional than in metropolitan areas

The highest chronic kidney disease hospitalisation rate by Population Health Area was 23 times the national average

Self-reported heart, stroke and vascular disease rates ranged from 2.9% to 8.4% across Primary Health Networks

The AIHW undertakes national surveillance and monitoring of a number of prominent chronic conditions, including chronic kidney disease, along with their comorbidities and associated risk factors. The AIHW seeks to enhance the evidence on the impact of chronic conditions, including chronic kidney disease, through these monitoring activities by providing information and advice, addressing key policy priorities and filling key information gaps.