Leukaemia in Australia statistics

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

Leukaemia incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C91 (lymphoid leukaemia), C92 (myeloid leukaemia), C93 (monocytic leukaemia), C94 (other leukaemias of specified cell type) and C95 (leukaemias of unspecified cell type).

New cases

In 2021, there were 4,504 new cases of leukaemia diagnosed in Australia (2,755 males and 1,749 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 5,315 new cases of leukaemia will be diagnosed in Australia (3,268 males and 2,047 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 62 (or 1.6%) risk of being diagnosed with leukaemia by the age of 85 (1 in 50 or 2.0% for males and 1 in 82 or 1.2% for females).

In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 18 cases per 100,000 persons (23 for males and 13 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 19 cases per 100,000 persons (25 for males and 14 for females). The incidence rate for leukaemia is expected to increase with age.

The number of new cases of leukaemia diagnosed increased from 1,655 (952 males and 703 females) in 1982 to 4,504 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate increased from 16 cases per 100,000 persons (22 for males and 13 for females) in 1982 to 18 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021.

Deaths 

In 2023, there were 2,047 deaths from leukaemia in Australia (1,257 males and 790 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 2,191 deaths (1,374 males and 817 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 167 (or 0.60%) risk of dying from leukaemia by the age of 85 (1 in 130 or 0.77% for males and 1 in 235 or 0.43% for females)

In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 7.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (11 for males and 5.6 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 7.9 deaths per 100,000 persons (11 for males and 5.4 for females). The mortality rate for leukaemia is expected to increase with age.

The number of deaths from leukaemia increased from 966 (529 males and 437 females) in 1982 to 2,047 in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 10 deaths per 100,000 persons (13 for males and 8.1 for females) in 1982 to 7.9 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023. 

Survival 

In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with leukaemia had a 66% chance (66% for males and 67% 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 leukaemia improved from 43% to 66%. 

Prevalence 

At the end of 2021, there were 3,763 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia that year, 15,803 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 42,912 people living who had been diagnosed with leukaemia in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021).

For more information, see Leukaemia 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.