Cancer Australia is currently updating the statistics on this page in alignment with the new Cancer Data in Australia report published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on 8 October 2025.
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Kidney cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer code C64 (Malignant neoplasm of kidney).
New cases
Kidney cancer was the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2020. It is estimated that it will remain the seventh most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2024.
In 2020, there were 4,179 new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed in Australia (2,794 males and 1,382 females). In 2024, it is estimated that 4,771 new cases of kidney cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (3,250 males and 1,521 females). In 2024, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 66 (or 1.5%) risk of being diagnosed with kidney cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 48 or 2.1% for males and 1 in 106 or 0.95% for females).
Graph: statistic-kidney-incidence-counts-2024
In 2020, the age-standardised incidence rate was 15 cases per 100,000 persons (23 for males and 11 for females). In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 18 cases per 100,000 persons (25 for males and 11 for females). The incidence rate for kidney cancer is expected to increase with age, up to 70–74 years.
Graph: statistic-kidney-age-standardised-incidence-rate-2024
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of new cases of kidney cancer diagnosed increased from 793 (534 males and 259 females) in 1982 to 4,179 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 7.6 cases per 100,000 persons (12 for males and 4.5 for females) in 1982 to17 cases per 100,000 persons in 2020.
Deaths
In 2022, there were 1030 deaths from kidney cancer in Australia (680 males and 350 females). In 2024, it is estimated that there will be 966 deaths (648 males and 318 females). In 2024, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 365 (or 0.27%) risk of dying from kidney cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 261 or 0.38% for males and 1 in 612 or 0.16% for females).
Graph: statistic-kidney-mortality-counts-2024
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
In 2022, the age-standardised mortality rate was 4.0 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.8 for males and 2.5 for females). In 2024, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 3.6 deaths per 100,000 persons (5.2 for males and 2.1 for females). The mortality rate for kidney cancer is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistic-kidney-age-standardised-mortality-rate-2024
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
The number of deaths from kidney cancer increased from 488 (296 males and 192 females) in 1982 to 1030 in 2022. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 4.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (6.8 for males and 3.5 for females) in 1982 to 4.0 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2022.
Survival
In 2016–2020, individuals diagnosed with kidney cancer had an 82% chance (82% for males and 83% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1991–1995 and 2016–2020, five-year relative survival for kidney cancer improved from 56% to 82%.
Graph: statistic-kidney-5-year-relative-survival-2024
Notes
- Data sourced from AIHW Cancer Data in Australia 2022 web report and supplementary data tables
Prevalence
At the end of 2020, there were 3,392 people living who had been diagnosed with kidney cancer that year, 16,264 people living who had been diagnosed with kidney cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2016 to 2020) and 41,144 people living who had been diagnosed with kidney cancer in the previous 39 years (from 1982 to 2020).
For more information on cancer data, see the NCCI website
The National Cancer Control Indicators (NCCI) are a set of indicators across the continuum of cancer care, from Prevention and Screening through to Diagnosis, Treatment, Psychosocial care, Research and Outcomes. The NCCI website allows users to see visual representations of data on each indicator through interactive charts.
Useful links
- American Cancer Society, Kidney cancer
- Renal Cell Cancer Treatment (PDQ®)
- Kidney Health Australia
- Australian Cancer Trials
Last updated 17 June 2024
