In 2023, more than 210,000 people, including 12,000 babies and children, were admitted to Intensive Care Units across Australia and New Zealand. Thanks to the exceptional care they received, over 90% of adults and 97% of children survived their stay in ICU.

These survival rates reflect the life saving work of ICU’s, which manage patients with a wide range of serious conditions, including trauma, complex surgeries, and severe illnesses. Survival rates can vary depending on factors such as patient age, underlying health conditions and overall health, but medical expertise, scientific breakthroughs, and improved technology have significantly improved these outcomes over time.

Since the 1990’s survival rates have improved from 80% to over 90% today. As world leaders in critical care survival Australia’s current mortality rate stands at 8%, and New Zealand is 10%, significantly lower than the global average of 13%. This improvement equates to approximately 10,000 additional lives saved annually in Australia alone. 

These impressive statistics should be a source of pride for Australians and New Zealanders. The ongoing dedication to research and innovation is key to further enhancing ICU care, offering hope for even more lives saved in the future.