Summary

Getting enough sleep is crucial for our overall health and wellbeing. While most Australians are meeting national recommendations for how much sleep is required each night, many still experience some form of sleep problem. Poor sleep can seriously affect a person’s quality of life and increase the risk of developing chronic health conditions. It also has a substantial impact on the Australian economy.

This report summarises available national and international evidence on sleep problems as a risk factor for chronic conditions. It presents data on sleep in Australia, including the prevalence of sleep problems. It also highlights the limitations of existing data and identifies potential new data sources for monitoring sleep in Australia.