The prevalence of asthma in Australia is relatively high, by international standards:
- 14-16% of children (one in six)
- 10-12% of adults (one in nine)

More boys than girls have asthma.  However, after teenage years, asthma is more common in women than in men.  

Asthma is more common among Indigenous Australians, particularly adults, than among other Australians.  

There is a strong link between asthma and allergy: more than 80% of people with asthma have evidence of allergic sensitisation.  

People with asthma report poorer general health and QOL than people without asthma.

More people with asthma suffer from anxiety and Depression than people without asthma.

A greater proportion of people with asthma had days away from work or study in the last two weeks (11.4%) than people without asthma (7.9%) preceding a survey.  

Poorly controlled asthma restricts participation in normal physical and social activities. 

The risk of dying from asthma is highest in the elderly; however, asthma deaths occur in all age groups.  

In 2005, 318 people died from asthma - the latest figures.  

Asthma deaths are more common among those living in less well-off localities in Australia.