Australian Life Expectancy by State and Territory Data
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 11 May 2017 - Updated: 30 Aug 2026
Publication Type: Data & Statistical Analysis
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
Synopsis
This statistical reference presents official data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing life expectancy figures broken down by state and territory, revealing significant regional variations in longevity outcomes. The information proves particularly valuable for healthcare planners, researchers studying aging populations, and individuals with disabilities who may face different health outcomes depending on geographic location. These figures help identify where resources might be needed most - such as the Northern Territory, which shows notably lower life expectancy rates compared to the Australian Capital Territory - and provide benchmarks for evaluating health interventions. For seniors and people with disabilities, understanding regional health trends can inform decisions about where to access care and what support systems might be available.
At a Glance
- 1 - The Australian Capital Territory records the highest figures at 81.2 years for males and 85.3 for females. The Northern Territory sits lowest at 75.7 and 78.5 years.
- 2 - Australia's combined life expectancy at birth reached 82.4 years for 2013 to 2015. That figure runs 11.9 years above the world average of 70.5 years.
- 3 - Over the decade to 2015, the Northern Territory saw the largest male gain at 3.2 years. Australians now outlive most people in comparable nations such as Canada and the United States.
- 4 - Coronary heart disease is the leading health threat, causing about 10% of premature deaths. Lung cancer follows at 9%, then suicide at 5%, the top cause of death among young Australians.
Topic Definition
- Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth is an estimate of the average number of years a newborn baby could expect to live if the current age-specific death rates in a population stayed the same throughout that child's entire life. It is worked out using a statistical tool called a life table, which takes the present-day death rates for each age and sex within a population and uses them to gauge the likelihood of a person dying before their next birthday. Because it rests on today's mortality conditions rather than any attempt to predict the future, the figure functions as a snapshot of current health across a whole nation or a smaller region such as a state or territory. Health planners, researchers, and governments lean on this measure to compare places, follow trends over time, and pinpoint where longevity lags and additional support may be needed.
Overview
No wonder Australia is called the "lucky country", Australians have a higher life expectancy(i), for both males and females, than similar countries such as Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the USA. In fact Australian babies born today have the highest estimated life expectancy ever recorded in Australia.
Australian life expectancy hit a new high in 2015, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The average Australian born today will live well into their 80s, surviving longer than most people in the world. Life expectancy at birth estimates represent the average number of years that a newborn baby could expect to live, assuming current age-specific death rates are experienced throughout his/her lifetime.
Life expectancy for Australian males at birth reached 80.4 years in 2015, and female life expectancy increased to 84.5 years. In 2013-2015 the combined (m/f) life expectancy at birth estimate for Australia was 82.4 years - 11.9 years higher than the world average of 70.5 years in 2010-2015.
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has the highest life expectancy for both males and females - 81.2 years and 85.3 years respectively (2015 statistics). And the Northern Territory (NT) has the lowest life expectancy of 75.7 years for males and 78.5 years for females.
The current biggest health threat in Australia is coronary heart disease, which accounts for approximately 10% of all premature deaths, in fact CVD's are the leading cause of premature death for Australians who die under the age of 75. The next largest cause of premature death in Australia is lung cancer at 9%, followed by suicide, the leading cause of death among young people in Australia, at 5%.
| Australian States Average Life Expectancy Age | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian State or Territory | 2003-2005 | 2013-2015 | 10 Yr Increase | ||||
| M | F | M | F | M | F | ||
| years | years | years | years | years | years | ||
| New South Wales | 78.5 | 83.3 | 80.4 | 84.6 | 1.9 | 1.3 | |
| Victoria | 79.0 | 83.6 | 81.1 | 84.7 | 2.1 | 1.1 | |
| Queensland | 78.3 | 83.2 | 80.0 | 84.3 | 1.7 | 1.1 | |
| South Australia | 78.1 | 83.4 | 80.3 | 84.4 | 2.2 | 1.0 | |
| Western Australia | 78.8 | 83.8 | 80.5 | 85.0 | 1.7 | 1.2 | |
| Tasmania | 77.2 | 82.1 | 78.9 | 82.8 | 1.7 | 0.7 | |
| Northern Territory | 72.5 | 78.2 | 75.7 | 78.5 | 3.2 | 0.3 | |
| Australian Capital Territory | 79.9 | 84.0 | 81.2 | 85.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 | |
| Australian Average | 78.5 | 83.3 | 80.4 | 84.5 | 1.9 | 1.2 | |
Data Sourced from The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
(i) Life expectancy is calculated using a statistical tool called a life table. A life table is generated from current age and sex-specific death rates in a given population. The resulting values are used to estimate the likelihood of someone in a hypothetical population dying before their next birthday.
Also see our Average Life Span Expectancy Chart - a list of male and female lifespan expectant averages by country and average age to death.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average life expectancy in Australia
The combined life expectancy at birth for Australia was 82.4 years for 2013 to 2015, among the highest recorded anywhere in the world.
Which Australian state has the highest life expectancy
The Australian Capital Territory leads, at 81.2 years for males and 85.3 years for females based on 2015 statistics.
Which territory has the lowest life expectancy
The Northern Territory records the lowest, at 75.7 years for males and 78.5 years for females.
How does Australia compare with other countries
Australians outlive people in similar nations such as Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States for both sexes.
How long do Australian men and women live
In 2015, life expectancy reached 80.4 years for Australian males and 84.5 years for Australian females at birth.
What is the leading cause of premature death in Australia
Coronary heart disease is the biggest threat, accounting for about 10 percent of all premature deaths in Australia.
Where does the Australian life expectancy data come from
The figures are sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, which compiles them using life tables built from death rates.
How much has Australian life expectancy increased
Over the decade to 2015, Australian male life expectancy rose by about 1.9 years and female by roughly 1.2 years on average.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: While Australians enjoy some of the world's longest lifespans, the stark differences between territories reveal an uncomfortable truth: where you live significantly affects how long you'll live. The 5.5-year gap in male life expectancy between the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory isn't just a statistic - it represents real disparities in healthcare access, socioeconomic conditions, and health outcomes that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including Indigenous Australians and those living with disabilities. These numbers challenge us to ask not just how long Australians are living, but whether all Australians have equal opportunity to reach their full life potential regardless of their postcode.
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability, a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.