Lung cancer in Australia statistics

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

Lung cancer incorporates ICD-10 cancer codes C33 (Malignant neoplasm of trachea) and C34 (Malignant neoplasm of bronchus and lung).

New cases 

Lung cancer was the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australia in 2021. It is estimated that it will be the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2025. 

In 2021, there were 13,376 new cases of lung cancer diagnosed in Australia (7,239 males and 6,137 females). In 2025, it is estimated that 15,108 new cases of lung cancer will be diagnosed in Australia (7,694 males and 7,414 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 21 (or 4.8%) risk of being diagnosed with lung cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 21 or 4.8% for males and 1 in 21 or 4.7% for females). 

In 2021, the age-standardised incidence rate was 54 cases per 100,000 persons (62 for males and 47 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised incidence rate will be 55 cases per 100,000 persons (60 for males and 51 for females). The incidence rate for lung cancer is expected to increase with age, up to 85–89 years. 

The number of new cases of lung cancer diagnosed increased from 5,948 (4,688 males and 1,260 females) in 1982 to 13,376 in 2021. Over the same period, the age-standardised incidence rate decreased from 60 cases per 100,000 persons (110 for males and 23 for females) in 1982 to 54 cases per 100,000 persons in 2021. 

Deaths

In 2023, lung cancer was the most common cause of cancer death in Australia. It is estimated that it will remain the most common cause of death from cancer in 2025. 

In 2023, there were 8,976 deaths from lung cancer in Australia (5,194 males and 3,782 females). In 2025, it is estimated that there will be 8,994 deaths (5,001 males and 3,993 females). In 2025, it is estimated that a person has a 1 in 36 (or 2.8%) risk of dying from lung cancer by the age of 85 (1 in 33 or 3.1% for males and 1 in 40 or 2.5% for females). 

In 2023, the age-standardised mortality rate was 34 deaths per 100,000 persons (43 for males and 27 for females). In 2025, it is estimated that the age-standardised mortality rate will be 33 deaths per 100,000 persons (39 for males and 27 for females). The mortality rate for lung cancer is expected to increase with age. 

The number of deaths from lung cancer increased from 5,288 (4,227 males and 1,061 females) in 1982 to 8,976 persons in 2023. Over the same period, the age-standardised mortality rate decreased from 54 deaths per 100,000 persons (103 for males and 19 for females) in 1982 to 34 deaths per 100,000 persons in 2023.  

Survival

In 2017–2021, individuals diagnosed with lung cancer had a 27.3% chance (22.7% for males and 33.0% 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 lung cancer increased from 9.5% to 27.3%.  

Prevalence

At the end of 2021, there were 9,252 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer that year, 27,675 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in the previous 5 years (from 2017 to 2021) and 44,547 people living who had been diagnosed with lung cancer in the previous 40 years (from 1982 to 2021). 

For more information, see Lung cancer 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.