Peak body urges action to address suicide rates
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the rate of suicide in remote and very remote Australia was more than double that of major cities last year — 24.6 people per 100,000 compared to 9.9.
The data shows some groups remain at significantly higher risk of suicide — particularly men, people in rural and remote areas, First Nations peoples, and those working in certain occupations.
Suicide deaths among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people increased by 8.1 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Key findings from the data include:
- Remote and very remote Australians disproportionately impacted: In the five-year period 2020-2024, the suicide rate in remote and very remote Australia was between 20.5 and 24.6 deaths per 100,000 people — consistently higher than rates in both regional areas and major cities.
- Low rates in major cities: Major cities had the lowest rate across all years, with between 9.9 and 10.9 deaths per 100,000 people.
- Men overrepresented and at risk: The suicide rate for males living in remote and very remote Australia in 2021-2024 was more than double the rate for males living in major cities.
Suicide Prevention Australia has urged immediate action from the government, workplaces and community to address the rates.
“Men, particularly those in regional areas and high-risk occupations, continue to be disproportionately impacted by suicide,” Nieves Murray, chief executive of Suicide Prevention Australia, said.
“It’s encouraging to see the government recognise this through the Special Envoy for Men’s Health. Now we have a real opportunity to build on that commitment with targeted, coordinated action.
“Demand for suicide prevention services is rising, yet many are already stretched to breaking point. The government must respond proportionately to this increase in need.”
Key statistics
In 2024:
Overview
- 3,307 Australians died by suicide in 2024 compared to 3,264 in 2023.
- Taking Australia’s changing population into account, the age-standardised rate of suicide (deaths per 100,000) has decreased from 12.1 in 2023 to 11.8 in 2024 with a decrease of around 8.5 per cent from 2015.
- The median age of death by suicide was 46.0 years, compared to 82.0 for all causes of death.
- Suicide was the 16th leading cause of death overall, remaining unchanged from 2023.
- Suicide accounted for 15.9 per cent of all child deaths in 2024.
Gender
- Males have continued to account for over three quarters (76.5 per cent) of deaths by suicide with males aged 60-64 having the largest increase in age-specific suicide rates from 2023-24 (an 18 per cent increase).
- Females aged between 25-29 years had the highest age-specific suicide rate of females aged under 85 years (9.8 deaths per 100,000), with the highest proportion of suicide occurring in those aged between 25-29 years (12.3 per cent).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Suicide was the 5th leading cause of death for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For men it was the 2nd leading cause and 10th for females in 2024.
- Over the five-year period 2020-2024, suicide was the leading and second leading cause of death for female and male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children respectively.
Regional and remote
- Suicide rates in remote and very remote Australia are the highest in five years, between 20.5 and 24.6 as compared with 9.9 to 10.9 in major cities.
States and Territories - The Northern Territory had the highest age-standardised rate of deaths by suicide at 19.3 per 100,000, while all other states and territories recorded at the same rate or lower comparing 2023 to 2024.
- To get help 24/7, phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467. If you or someone you know are in immediate danger, phone 000 for emergency services.
