Intentional self-harm hospitalisations by local areas Print this page

The rates of hospitalisations for intentional self-harm in small geographic areas can provide insight into the incidence of intentional self-harm in local communities.

Statistical Areas Level 3 (SA3s) is a type of geographical classification defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to provide a regional breakdown of Australia. There are 336 geographical areas which cover states and territories (excluding SA3s associated with overseas territories and other) with boundaries defined by the ABS. Each SA3 generally has a population of between 30,000 and 130,000 people. Allocation to an SA3 for hospitalisation data is based on the patient’s usual place of residence, rather than where they received treatment.

Variations in hospitalisation rates between geographical areas may be due to a range of factors. Crude hospitalisation rates at SA3s should be interpreted with caution as areas with small populations are more sensitive to changes in the number of hospitalisations.

Note: Data behind these maps are available on the Data downloads page: 2021-22 National Morbidity Database – Intentional self-harm hospitalisations. 

Variation across local areas

In 2021–22, rates of hospitalisations for intentional self-harm across SA3 geographies varied widely. 

• Across Australia, rates ranged from 27 per 100,000 population for intentional self-harm hospitalisations in Mandurah (Western Australia) to 482 in Barkly (Northern Territory).  
• For females, rates of hospitalisation ranged from 33 per 100,000 population in Mandurah (Western Australia) to 672 in Barkly (Northern Territory).  
• For males, rates ranged from 14 hospitalisations per 100,000 population in Parramatta (New South Wales) to 536 in Caboolture Hinterland (Queensland). 

Rates of intentional self-harm hospitalisations for different age groups also varied widely between SA3s.

• Rates of hospitalisations for intentional self-harm for those aged 24 and below ranged from 23 hospitalisations per 100,000 population in Bankstown (New South Wales) to 698 in Whitsunday (Queensland). 
• For the 25–44 age group, rates ranged from 20 hospitalisations per 100,000 population in Parramatta (New South Wales) to 799 in Caboolture Hinterland (Queensland).
• For those aged 45 and over, rates ranged from 17 hospitalisations per 100,000 population in Ku-ring-gai (New South Wales) to 353 in Alice Springs (Northern Territory).