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Deaths by suicide, by local areas

Suicide rates reported for small geographic areas can provide information on the incidence of deaths by suicide in local communities. Understanding the attributes of populations that tend to influence the rate of suicide in different areas is important for suicide prevention activities.

In order to maximise the coverage of reportable data across small geographic areas, data on deaths by suicide have been aggregated (pooled) over 5 years (2014–18) and the lowest level of geography applied (Statistical area level 3; SA3). To allow for further disaggregation by sex, data are reported at a larger 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 tab at the bottom. The colour shading indicates different rates of deaths by suicide, with darker shades indicating a higher rate.

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Deaths by suicide by SA3 areas, Australia, 2014–18.

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, 2014–18). 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 2014–18, reportable suicide rates in persons at SA3 level were highest in Kimberley in Western Australia (41.9 deaths per 100,000 population), Outback – South in Queensland (30.7), Litchfield in the Northern Territory (26.7), Tablelands (East) – Kuranda in Queensland (26.4) and Burnett in Queensland (25.9). Reportable suicide rates were lowest in the SA3 areas of Chatswood - Lane Cove, Kogarah - Rockdale, and Carlingford (all areas of Sydney, New South Wales) (about 6 deaths per 100,000 population).

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Suicide & self-harm monitoring

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

Over the 5-year period 2014–2018, reportable suicide rates in persons at SA3 level, were:

  • highest in the SA3 areas of Kimberley in Western Australia (41.9 deaths per 100,000 population), Outback – South in Queensland (30.7), Litchfield in the Northern Territory (26.7), Tablelands (East) – Kuranda (26.4) and Burnett (25.9)—both in Queensland
  • lowest in the SA3 areas of Chatswood - Lane Cove, Kogarah - Rockdale, and Carlingford (all areas of Sydney, New South Wales) (about 6 deaths per 100,000 population).

Over the same period (2014–2018), reportable suicide rates in males, at SA4 level, were:

  • highest in the SA4 areas of Mandurah, Western Australia (36.1 deaths per 100,000 population), Wide Bay, Queensland (36.0), Queensland - Outback (35.8), Cairns, Queensland (35.5) and Western Australia – Outback (South) (33.0)
  • lowest in the SA4 areas of Sydney - Ryde, Sydney - Parramatta, and Sydney - Inner South West (all New South Wales) (8.7, 9.7 and 10.1 deaths per 100,000 population).

While for females, suicide rates over the 5-year period 2014–2018, at SA4 level, were:

  • highest in the SA4 areas of Western Australia - Outback (North) (14.2 deaths per 100,000 population), Northern Territory - Outback (13.6), Western Australia - Outback (South) (11.9), Queensland - Outback (11.5) and Bunbury in Western Australia (10.9)
  • lowest in the SA4 areas of Melbourne - North West (Victoria) and Sydney - Blacktown and Sydney - South West (both New South Wales) (3.2 and 3.3 deaths per 100,000 population).

From 2014 to 2018 the SA3 areas consistently reporting the highest yearly suicide rates were:

  • Kimberley (Western Australia), Burnett (Queensland), Daly – Tiwi – West Arnhem (Northern Territory), Tablelands (East) – Kuranda (Queensland) and Goldfields (Western Australia).

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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