This report presents highlights from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s 17th biennial report on the nation’s health. It tells the story of health in Australia, with key findings on our health status, health system, and health disparities across some population groups.

Australia’s health 2020 continues the trend of providing independent and trusted information to the wide range of Australians who use it. It reports on our health status and health system, and takes an in-depth look at a number of topical health issues— including the links between the environment and health, and the complex role that socioeconomic factors play in our health.

Global and national events over the past year have placed health at the forefront of our minds—for individuals, families, communities, and nations. In particular, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to pose a great potential threat to health and to Australia’s health system. Australian governments and the Australian community have responded well to this crisis and, as a result, it appears that Australia may have avoided some of the large adverse impacts that have been seen in some other countries. Nevertheless, COVID-19 has changed most aspects of our lives, including social, cultural and economic activities. More than any other event in recent history, this pandemic has illustrated how integral our health is to the effective functioning of society and of its support systems, including the health system.