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Deaths by suicide, by local areas

Suicide incidence data in local communities provide insight into small populations and the variability of suicide rates across Australia. This is particularly pertinent for suicide prevention activities.

Deaths by suicide data have been aggregated (pooled) over two 5 year periods (2014–18 and 2015–2019) at Statistical area level 3 (SA3) to maximise coverage, while still addressing privacy concerns. To allow for further disaggregation by sex, these data are reported at the Statistical area level 4 (SA4).

Direct estimates of suicide rates based on small numbers can be highly variable from year to year. Rates based on 20 or fewer deaths over the 5-year period in each small geographic area have not been reported due to privacy and confidentiality issues and statistical concerns. See Technical notes to ensure the data are interpreted appropriately.

How to use these maps

Use the zoom and search functions to explore the map. Click on an area in the map to view additional information. Change maps by clicking on the folder icon in the top right. The colour shading indicates different rates of deaths by suicide, with darker shades indicating a higher rate.

For the best experience, use Chrome, Edge or Firefox browsers. For more information on browser compatibility, see Supported browsers

Deaths by suicide by SA3 areas, Australia, 2015–19.

The map shows the crude rate and number of deaths by suicide for persons by all ages for SA3 areas in Australia aggregated over 5 years, 2015–19). Users can also choose to view maps showing crude rates and numbers of deaths by suicide for males and females by SA4 areas. Over the 5-year period 2015–19, reportable suicide rates in persons at SA3 level were highest in Kimberley in Western Australia (35.4 deaths per 100,000 population) and a number of Queensland regions including Burnett (29.1), Outback – South (27.3),  and Tablelands (East) – Kuranda (26.8). Reportable suicide rates were lowest in the SA3 areas of Kogarah - Rockdale and Parramatta (all areas in Sydney, New South Wales) (all about 6 deaths per 100,000 population) and Keilor in Victoria (6.3).

Visualisation not available for printing

Note: Data behind these maps are available on the Data downloads page: National Mortality Database—Suicide (ICD-10 X60–X84, Y87.0).

Over the 5-year period 2015–2019, reportable age-standardised suicide rates in persons at the SA3 level, were:

  • highest in the SA3 areas of Kimberley in Western Australia (35.4 deaths per 100,000 population), and a number of Queensland regions including Burnett (29.1), Outback – South (27.3),  and Tablelands (East) – Kuranda (26.8)
  • lowest in the SA3 areas of Kogarah - Rockdale and Parramatta (both areas of Sydney, New South Wales) (each 6 deaths per 100,000 population) and Keilor in Victoria (6.3).

Over the same period (2015–2019), reportable suicide rates in males, at the SA4 level, were:

  • highest in the SA4 areas of Wide Bay in Queensland (37.3 deaths per 100,000 population), Cairns in Queensland (35.4), Northern Territory – Outback and Queensland – Outback (both 34.7)
  • lowest in the SA4 areas of Sydney - Ryde, Sydney - Inner South West, and Sydney - Parramatta (all New South Wales) (9.9, 10.2 and 10.4 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively).

For females, suicide rates over the 5-year period 2015–2019, at the SA4 level, were:

  • highest in the SA4 areas of Western Australia - Outback (North) (14.4 deaths per 100,000 population), Queensland - Outback (13.0), Western Australia - Outback (South) (12.4) and Northern Territory - Outback (12.3)
  • lowest in the SA4 areas of Sydney - South West, Sydney – Parramatta and Sydney - Blacktown (all New South Wales) (3.1, 3.2 and 3.5 deaths per 100,000 population, respectively).

The AIHW is committed to continually improving the quality, ease-of-use, and timeliness of its products. In this product, we are using a new data visualisation tool to present results by geographical areas using maps. We welcome any feedback on this new presentation and hope that it will provide useful insights into the topic. As this tool is a relatively new addition to our website, we will be continuing to work to enhance its use and would welcome any feedback.

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