Australia Sees Rise in Antibiotic Prescriptions and Critical Resistance, New CDC Report Reveals
The Australian Centre for Disease Control (CDC)'s Sixth Australian report on antimicrobial use and resistance in human health (AURA report) has indicated a concerning trend: an increase in antibiotic prescriptions and a rise in critical antibiotic resistance across the country.
Data compiled from 2022 to 2024 shows a 4.8% increase in antibiotic prescriptions supplied via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) to 37.1% of Australians, alongside a 25.2% increase in reports of critical antibiotic resistance during the same period.
Report Overview: A New National Evidence Base
The AURA report, which gathers data from hospitals, aged care facilities, and the community, provides current information on antibiotic resistance and antimicrobial use in Australia. This document marks the first national antimicrobial resistance report drafted and released by the Australian CDC since its establishment on January 1, 2026.
It is intended to serve as a national evidence base to guide antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, clinical guidelines, and future policy decisions. This report forms a foundational component of Australia’s long-term strategy to address antimicrobial resistance.
Key Findings on Antibiotic Use and Resistance
Prescription and Resistance Trends
In 2024, approximately 23.2 million antibiotic prescriptions were supplied through the PBS, reaching 37.1% of Australians. This reflects a 4.8% increase from 2023. Reports of critical antibiotic resistance also significantly increased by 25.2% during the 2022-2024 period.
Despite these recent increases, overall antibiotic use in Australia is approximately 21% lower than a decade ago, indicating a complex picture of long-term reduction alongside recent rises.
Appropriateness of Use
The report details varying levels of appropriate antibiotic use across different settings:
- Only 45.0% of antibiotics prescribed following surgeries were deemed appropriate. This highlights a significant area for improvement in surgical prophylaxis.
- Conversely, 88.1% of 'last-line' antibiotics, used for severe infections in hospitals, were prescribed appropriately, demonstrating cautious management in critical cases.
The AURA report noted that while 'last-line' antibiotics are generally managed cautiously in hospitals, there appears to be less caution in prescribing antibiotics considered to have a lower risk of promoting resistance. This can lead to more frequent use even when a clear benefit is not present. While many antimicrobial stewardship programs have shown effectiveness, prescribing practices vary, and improvements are not consistently keeping pace with emerging resistance.
Aged Care Facilities Under Scrutiny
Antimicrobial prescriptions for older Australians in residential aged care facilities saw a significant rise, increasing by 14.4% in 2024 compared to 2023. A concerning finding within this demographic was that 34.7% of these prescriptions were for prolonged durations, exceeding six months.
A CDC spokesperson indicated that the findings highlight trends in critical antimicrobial resistance and the appropriateness of post-surgical antibiotic use, emphasizing the role of national surveillance in identifying risks to address antimicrobial resistance proactively.