Skip to main content

The government is now operating in accordance with the Guidance on Caretaker Conventions, pending the outcome of the 2025 federal election.

Mesothelioma in Australia statistics

Explore statistics on mesothelioma, including the number of new cases, deaths, survival rates, and overall prevalence.

904 Estimated number of new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in 2022
0.56% Estimated % of all new cancer cases diagnosed in 2022
761 Estimated number of deaths from mesothelioma in 2022
1.5% Estimated % of all deaths from cancer in 2022
6.8% Chance of surviving at least 5 years (2014–2018)
1,040 People living with mesothelioma at the end of 2017 (diagnosed in the 5 year period 2013 to 2017)

The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

Mesothelioma incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C45 (Mesothelioma).

New cases

In 2018, there were 811 new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed in Australia (637 males and 174 females). In 2022, it is estimated that 904 new cases of mesothelioma will be diagnosed in Australia (714 males and 190 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 319 (or 0.31%) risk of being diagnosed with mesothelioma by the age of 85 (1 in 204 or 0.49% for males and 1 in 765 or 0.13% for females).

Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2022
Figure 1. Estimated cancer incidence in Australia, 2022

Notes 

In 2018, the age-standardised incidence rate was 2.7 cases per 100,000 persons (4.6 for males and 1.1 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 2.6 cases per 100,000 persons (4.4 for males and 1.1 for females). The incidence rate for mesothelioma is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for mesothelioma, 1982 to 2018, by sex
Figure 2. Age-standardised incidence rates for mesothelioma, 1982 to 2018, by sex

Notes

The number of new cases of mesothelioma diagnosed increased from 157 (135 males and 22 females) in 1982 to 811 in 2018. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate remained similar from 1.2 cases per 100,000 persons (2.3 for males and 0.3 for females) in 1982 to 2.7 cases per 100,000 in 2018.

Deaths 

In 2020, there were 701 deaths from mesothelioma in Australia (550 males and 151 females). In 2022, it is estimated that there will be 761 deaths (604 males and 157 females). In 2022, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 396 (or 0.25%) risk of dying from mesothelioma by the age of 85 (1 in 247 or 0.41% for males and 1 in 1,046 or 0.096% for females).

Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2022
Figure 3. Estimated cancer mortality in Australia, 2022

Notes 

In 2020, the age-standardised mortality rate was 2.1 deaths per 100,000 persons (3.7 for males and 0.8 for females). In 2022, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 2.2 deaths per 100,000 persons (3.8 for males and 0.8 for females). The mortality rate for mesothelioma is expected to increase with age, highest for those aged 85–89 years.

Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for mesothelioma, 1997 to 2020, by sex
Figure 4. Age-standardised mortality rates for mesothelioma, 1997 to 2020, by sex

Notes

The number of deaths from mesothelioma increased from 416 (353 males and 63 females) in 1997 to 701 in 2020. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate remained similar from 2.4 deaths per 100,000 persons (4.5 for males and  0.7 for females) in 1982 to 2.1 deaths per 100,000 in 2020. 

Survival 

In 2014–2018, individuals diagnosed with mesothelioma had a 6.8% chance (5.3% for males and 13% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1989–1993 and 2014–2018, five-year relative survival for mesothelioma improved from 5.6% to 6.8%. 

Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for mesothelioma, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex
Figure 5. 5-year relative survival for mesothelioma, 1989–1993 to 2014–2018, by sex

Notes

Prevalence 

At the end of 2017, there were 552 people living who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma that year, 1,040 people living who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma in the previous 5 years (from 2013 to 2017) and 1,279 people living who had been diagnosed with mesothelioma in the previous 36 years (from 1982 to 2017).

For more information, see Mesothelioma on 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.

Cancer Australia

Cancer Australia was established by the Australian Government in 2006 to benefit all Australians affected by cancer, and their families and carers. Cancer Australia aims to reduce the impact of cancer, address disparities and improve outcomes for people affected by cancer by leading and coordinating national, evidence-based interventions across the continuum of care.

If you would like an interpreter to help you understand any information on this website, please call TIS National on 131 450 and ask them to call Cancer Australia on 02 9357 9400. Our business hours are 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

© 2025 Cancer Australia. All rights reserved.