No, Australia is not a high TB (Tuberculosis) country; it's considered a low-burden country with low overall rates (around 5-7 cases per 100,000 people). However, most cases occur in people born overseas from high-burden regions, and there's a disproportionate burden in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, with localized outbreaks in certain areas, necessitating ongoing vigilance and screening.
i Australia is a low TB burden country and Queensland has one of the lowest notification rates amongst Australian jurisdictions. ii Most of the TB burden In Australia is within the overseas born population, although there is a disproportionate burden of TB in First Nations peoples among the Australian born population.
In 2024, eight countries accounted for two thirds of global TB cases: India (25%), Indonesia (10%), the Philippines (6.8%), China (6.5%), Pakistan (6.3%), Nigeria (4.8%), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (3.9%) and Bangladesh (3.6%) (Fig. 1.1.
In Australia, there are around 1,500 people who are diagnosed with TB each year, with approximately 450 to 500 of these in Victoria. Most cases are in people who were born overseas. TB can be contagious, but to be infected, you usually need close, face-to-face contact with someone who has TB disease in the lungs.
TB testing and treatment is free for everyone at NSW TB clinics.
“When people think of deadly diseases, they think of COVID-19, malaria, HIV and diarrheal diseases,” Barron said. “Many are surprised to find that TB kills the highest number of people in the world.”
No, healthcare isn't 100% free in Australia, but Medicare, funded by taxes (Medicare Levy), provides free or heavily subsidized access for citizens/residents to public hospitals and many doctor/specialist services, though out-of-pocket costs (gap payments) can occur with doctors, and private insurance offers more choice but costs extra.
Dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) is now Australia's leading cause of death overall, closely followed by ischaemic heart disease, with the gap narrowing as the population ages; however, coronary heart disease remains the top killer for males, while dementia leads for females. Other major causes include cerebrovascular disease (stroke), lung cancer, and chronic lower respiratory diseases (COPD).
Most people who have TB disease can be cured with a course of 4 antimicrobials lasting 6 months, or even 4 months in some cases. Information, supervision and patient support by a health worker or trained volunteer are key to a successful outcome.
Because TB is not common in Australia, the BCG vaccine is not part of the routine vaccination schedule. However, the vaccine is recommended in some circumstances, such as travel to certain countries.
Poor health
Poverty and a lack of financial resources are also associated with malnutrition, poor housing conditions, substance misuse, and HIV/AIDS incidence. These factors often contribute to a weakened immune system and are accordingly correlated with a higher susceptibility to TB.
China also has the highest latent TB infection (LTBI) burden globally with approximately 350 million infections that are at risk for active TB disease (5).
People at high risk for progression to TB disease once infected include: Persons with human immunodeficiency virus HIV infection. Persons who were infected with M. tuberculosis within the past 2 years, particularly infants and very young children.
While Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is among the oldest and most widely used vaccines globally, it is not routinely used in Australia because of the low prevalence of tuberculosis (TB). As a result, many practitioners have limited experience with the use and administration of this vaccine.
India had the highest cumulative incidence cases, followed by China, Pakistan, and Indonesia. In 2019, the Central African Republic, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa had the highest incidence rates (above 300 per 100,000) compared with that (below 100 per 100,000) in Brazil, China, and Russian Federation (Figure 1B).
Tuberculosis death rate (per 100,000 people) in Australia was reported at 0.13 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources.
The germs spread from person to person through the air. People who have TB disease in their throat or lungs spread the germs in the air when they cough, sneeze, talk, or sing. If you breathe in the air that has the germs, you can get TB. TB is not spread by touching, kissing, or sharing food or dishes.
Part 1 – Phthisis, consumption and the White Plague. In that time it also became known as the great white plague and the white death [4, 5, 24], called “white” because of the extreme anaemic pallor of those affected [4, 25].
What can you do to avoid getting TB?
Dementia is one of the most feared conditions among Australian health service consumers, second only to cancer.
It ranks in the middle of a "league table" for infant mortality and is placed behind several countries for each of our National Health Priority Areas — cardiovascular health, cancer control, injury prevention and control, mental health and diabetes.
Dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, has overtaken ischaemic heart diseases as the nation's leading cause of death, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced on Friday.
Public hospital healthcare is free to all Australian citizens and permanent residents. Private health insurance is not compulsory, but Australians are encouraged to buy private health insurance in addition to having Medicare. There are many different types of private health insurance policies.
Norway. The Norwegian universal healthcare system stands out among countries that have free healthcare because of low wait times, emphasis on patient outcomes, and quality of services. Norway's healthcare system is funded through taxation and social security contributions and is available to all residents.
While you are in Australia, you can access essential and urgent medical care through the UK-Australia Reciprocal Healthcare Agreement. Find out more about healthcare for UK citizens in Australia. Essential and urgent hospital treatment is free. There is a charge to visit GPs and receive prescriptions.