Deaths by suicide, by local areas

Suicide incidence data in local communities provide insight into small populations and the variability of suicide rates across Australia. This is particularly pertinent for suicide prevention activities. 

Deaths by suicide data have been aggregated (pooled) across five 5-year periods (2014–18, 2015–2019, 2016–2020, 2017–2021, and 2018–2022). Data are provided at Statistical Area Level 3 (SA3s) and Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4s). Data at SA4s are further disaggregated by sex.

SA3s and SA4s are a standardised measure of geography and part of the Main Structure of the Australian Statistical Geography Standard, developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. All data are presented by year of registration, which is not necessarily the same as the year the death occurred. For more information, see Technical notes.

Direct estimates of suicide rates based on small numbers can be highly variable from year to year. As such, age standardised rates based on 20 or fewer deaths over the 5-year period have not been reported. Additionally, some areas with small numbers of deaths have had a random number of deaths assigned to them (instead of the true number) to protect the confidentiality of individuals. See Technical notes to ensure the data are interpreted appropriately. 

How to use these maps

Use the zoom and search functions to explore the map. Click on an area in the map to view additional information. The colour shading indicates different rates of deaths by suicide, with darker shades indicating a higher rate.

For the best experience, use Chrome, Edge or Firefox browsers. For more information on browser compatibility, see Supported browsers.

Over the 5-year period 2018–2022, reportable age-standardised suicide rates in persons at the SA3 level, were:

  • highest in the SA3 areas of Kimberley in Western Australia (32.9 deaths per 100,000 population), Burnett in Queensland (32.3) and Daly - Tiwi - West Arnhem in Northern Territory (31.4)
  • lowest in the SA3 areas of Baulkham Hills in New South Wales (5.3 deaths per 100,000 population) Canterbury in New South Wales (5.5) and Tullamarine - Broadmeadows in Victoria (5.8).

Over the same period (2018-2022), reportable suicide rates in males, at the SA4 level, were:

  • highest in the SA4 areas of Wide Bay, Queensland (37.6 deaths per 100,000 population), Northern Territory - Outback (35.6) and Western Australia - Outback (North) (35.4).
  • lowest in the SA4 areas of Sydney - Inner South West (9.7 deaths per 100,000 population), Sydney - Baulkham Hills and Hawkesbury (9.8) and Sydney - Ryde (9.9).

For females, reportable suicide rates over the 5-year period 2018-2022, at the SA4 level, were:

  • highest in the SA4 areas of Northern Territory - Outback (15.7 deaths per 100,000 population), Western Australia - Outback (North) (13.1), and Queensland - Outback (11.3)
  • lowest in the SA4 areas of Sydney - South West (1.7 deaths per 100,000 population) and Sydney - Blacktown (3.4) and Sydney - Parramatta (3.7).

The AIHW is committed to continually improving the quality, ease-of-use, and timeliness of its products. In this product, we are using a new data visualisation tool to present results by geographical areas using maps. We welcome any feedback on this new presentation and hope that it will provide useful insights into the topic. As this tool is a relatively new addition to our website, we will be continuing to work to enhance its use and would welcome any feedback.