Fact sheets contain statistical information on coronial cases. If you or someone you care for is in need of assistance, support services are available.
The NCIS releases fact sheets on coronial data held in the collection. Fact sheets include statistical information on deaths reported to a coroner and cover specific topics of public interest. Fact sheets are intended to support the work of death investigators and researchers. The NCIS does not provide further comment on the facts sheets.
Explanatory notes provide more information on data sources and limitations. For detailed information on any topic below, request a data report.
NCIS data is used for research and policy development by government agencies and other organisations. For reporting on other key topics, see research.
Any reproduction or reporting of intentional self-harm data contained in these fact sheets should consider the Mindframe guidelines (External link) regarding reporting of suicide.
Mortality data series
The NCIS Mortality data series examines closed case external cause deaths reported to Australian and New Zealand coroners. The series is published annually and provides yearly data to enable comparisons over time.
Australia
Deaths due to injury, drug contribution and intentional self-harm on a calendar year basis.
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
New Zealand
Deaths due to injury and drug contribution on a calendar year basis.
From the 2019 series onwards, the intentional self-harm fact sheet is no longer published as part of the New Zealand Mortality data series. Information about suicide in New Zealand can be found at the New Zealand Ministry of Health (External link) website.
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Intentional self-harm series
Intentional self-harm deaths among specific populations. Fact sheets in this series are produced for Australian data only.
Intentional self-harm deaths of farmers and farm workers in Australia
The wellbeing of farmers and farm workers is essential for maintaining Australia’s agricultural sector. However, these workers face a variety of environmental, economic and social issues that impact their suicide risk.
Intentional self-harm deaths of health professionals in Australia
Health professionals are employed across a variety of occupations and settings within the health workforce, with over 700,000 health professionals employed throughout Australia. Their work can involve considerable exposure to stress and trauma, and some occupations within this workforce are at elevated risk of suicide.
Intentional self-harm deaths of emergency services personnel in Australia
There are over 105,000 emergency services personnel employed in an operational or non-operational capacity across the police, ambulance and fire services throughout Australia. Emergency services personnel work to protect the safety of the community. This work involves routine exposure to stress and trauma.
Intentional self-harm deaths of young persons in Australia
Intentional self-harm was the 14th leading cause of death in Australia and the leading cause of death for people aged 15-24 years in 2018.
Intentional self-harm deaths of older persons in Australia
Intentional self-harm is the 13th leading cause of death in Australia. In 2017, 3,128 people died from an act of intentional self-harm in Australia. While the highest frequency of intentional self-harm fatalities occurs among middle aged persons, rates among older persons remain high.
Common interest series
Deaths by other categories of common interest.
Australia
Antidepressant and antipsychotic-related deaths in Australia
Antidepressants and antipsychotics are prescription drugs that influence chemicals in the brain associated with mood and emotions. These drugs can be harmful if misused.
Residential fire-related deaths in Australia
Deaths that result from residential fires have significant social, economic and emotional impacts - not only on individuals, but on the wider community and emergency service workers who respond to these incidents. Individuals' circumstances, behaviours, residential environments and other external factors impact the risk of a fatal fire
Fact sheet - FS22-08 - Residential fire-related deaths in Australia (PDF, 112.89 KB) (External link)
Benzodiazepine-related deaths in Australia
Benzodiazepines are prescription drugs that have depressant and minor tranquilliser effects. Benzodiazepines can be harmful if misused or combined with alcohol or other drugs.
Fact sheet - FS22-01 - Benzodiazepine-related deaths in Australia (PDF, 379.33 KB) (External link)
Household maintenance-related deaths in Australia
Household maintenance is a common activity in Australian homes, but poses significant potential risks to health and safety.
Opioid-related deaths in Australia
Opioids include medications used for pain relief and illicit drugs, such as heroin. Opioids can be harmful if misused or combined with other central nervous system depressants.
Fact sheet - FS21-01 - Opioid-related deaths in Australia (PDF, 380.13 KB) (External link)
Injury deaths by residential remoteness area in Australia
Remoteness areas divide Australia into five classes of remoteness based on a measure of relative access to services. The majority of Australia’s population reside in major cities. Those living in non-metropolitan areas have shorter life expectancies, higher levels of injury and less access to health services than their counterparts in major cities.
Sport and recreation deaths in Australia
Sport and physical recreation are popular in the Australian community, and participation in these activities contributes positively to health and well being. However, these activities involve risks which may result in injury – or even death. In 2016-17 alone, 58,500 people were hospitalised for sports injuries in Australia.
Fact sheet - FS20-05 - Sport and recreation deaths in Australia (PDF, 619.31 KB) (External link)
Animal-related deaths in Australia
Australia has a reputation for being home to some of the world’s most dangerous animals. Thousands of hospital admissions are attributable to contact with bees, hornets, wasps, spiders, snakes, ticks, ants and marine animals each year in Australia. However, deaths as a result of these interactions remain relatively rare, particularly in comparison to deaths associated with other species.
Fact sheet - FS20-01 - Animal-related deaths in Australia (PDF, 204.98 KB) (External link)
New Zealand
Sport and recreation deaths in New Zealand
Sport and physical recreation is popular in New Zealand, with the majority of adults participating in such activities every week. New Zealand is also a leading adventure tourism destination, attracting increasing numbers of adventurous visitors from around the globe. However, these activities involve risks which may result in injury – or even death – particularly when those activities are undertaken independently.
Fact sheet - FS22-10 - Sport and recreation deaths in New Zealand (PDF, 445.66 KB) (External link)
Copyright
Content is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0), unless otherwise stated. Attribution must be provided to the National Coronial Information System (NCIS).
Support services
If you or someone you care for is in need of assistance, support services are available.