All cancers in Australia
The following material has been sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
All cancers combined incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C00–C96 (Malignant neoplasms of specific sites), D45 (Polycythaemia), D46 (Myelodysplastic syndromes), and D47.1, D47.3, D47.4 and D47.5 (Myeloproliferative diseases), and with mortality also incorporating C97 (Malignant neoplasms of independent (primary) multiple sites); but excludes basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin. BCC and SCC, the most common skin cancers, are not notifiable diseases in Australia and are not reported in the Australian Cancer Database.
New cases
In 2021, there were 153,526 new cases of cancer diagnosed in Australia (85,685 males and 67,823 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 169,759 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (94,956 males and 74,803 females). It is estimated that around 2 in 5 people (or 43%) will be diagnosed with cancer by the age of 85.
Graph: statistics-all-cancers-figure-1-estimated-cancer-incidence-persons-2025
In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 609 cases per 100,000 persons (722 for males and 512 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 614 cases per 100,000 persons (727 for males and 516 for females). The incidence rate for cancer is expected to increase with age, up to 85–89 years.
Graph: statistics-all-cancers-figure-2-age-standardised-incidence-rates-2025
The number of new cases of cancer diagnosed increased from 47,465 (25,414 males and 22,051 females) in 1982 to 153,526 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 476 cases per 100,000 persons (606 for males and 395 for females) in 1982 to 609 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021.
Deaths
In 2023, there were 51,724 deaths from cancer in Australia (29,274 males and 22,450 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 53,545 deaths (30,150 males and 23,395 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 7 (or 15%) risk of dying from cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 6 or 17% for males and 1 in 8 or 13% for females).
Graph: statistics-all-cancers-figure-3-estimated-cancer-mortality-persons-2025
In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 198 deaths per 100,000 persons (247 for males and 159 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 194 deaths per 100,000 persons (240 for males and 156 for females). The mortality rate for cancer is expected to increase with age.
Graph: statistics-all-cancers-figure-4-age-standardised-mortality-rates-2025
The number of deaths from cancer increased from 24,915 (14,199 males and 10,716 females) in 1982 to 51,724 in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 270 deaths per 100,000 persons (367 for males and 206 for females) in 1982 to 198 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023.
Survival
In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with cancer had a 72% chance (71% for males and 73% for females) of surviving for five years compared to their counterparts in the general Australian population. Between 1987–1991 and 2017–2021, five-year relative survival for cancer improved from 50% to 72%.
Graph: statistics-all-cancers-figure-5-5-year-relative-survival-2025
Prevalence
At the end of 2021, there were 132,739 people living who had been diagnosed with cancer that year, 527,711 people living who had been diagnosed with cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 1,428,595 people living who had been diagnosed with cancer in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).
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.
