The number of young Australians experiencing mental health disorders has surged by 13 percent between 2007 and 2022, according to a new health overview report released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). The report indicates that mental disorders among those aged 16 to 24 increased from 26 percent to 39 percent during this period.
Between 2020 and 2022, approximately one in five Australians aged 16 to 85 reported experiencing a mental health condition. Young people were identified as the most frequent users of Medicare-subsidised mental health services, with women accessing these services twice as often as men.
Beyond mental health, the report also detailed a significant rise in chronic illnesses, with 61 percent of Australians living with at least one chronic condition in 2022. The five conditions that accounted for the most years of healthy life lost were cancer, mental health conditions and substance use disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, cardiovascular disease, and neurological conditions. Dementia emerged as the leading cause of death in Australia, contributing to nearly one in every 10 deaths, while coronary heart disease was the primary cause of death for those living outside major urban centers.
AIHW spokesperson Louise Gates stated that the report provides crucial insights for government action. "Our health is shaped by many different factors, including our environment, lifestyle and access to the services we need," Gates said. "Good health helps Australians stay connected to their communities, continue learning and working, and live long fulfilling lives."
Health spending in Australia is substantial, with an estimated $270.5 billion allocated to health goods and services between 2023 and 2024, amounting to approximately $10,037 per person. This figure represents an increase from $8,615 per person in 2014-2015, when adjusted for inflation, and includes contributions from government, insurance providers, individuals, and non-government sources. However, the report suggests that increased government expenditure may be necessary to overcome significant barriers preventing Australians from accessing healthcare.
Data from the report indicates that one in four Australians aged 15 and over who needed to see a general practitioner (GP) in 2024–25 delayed their appointment. "Potential barriers to Australians seeing a GP include cost, service availability and waiting times," Ms. Gates noted. The proportion of GP visits that were bulk billed declined from 85 percent in 2015-16 to 78 percent in 2024-25.
Ms. Gates concluded that while many health outcomes are improving, the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions, poor mental health, and an aging population underscore the critical importance of prevention and effective, equitable, and coordinated care across health, disability, aged care, and other welfare systems.