A recent study has highlighted the high prevalence of allergic diseases in Australia.
The study, conducted by experts from the National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE), and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI), analyses data from the 2022 National Health Survey (NHS) finding that there was a high rate of allergic diseases in middle-aged Australians.
Healthcare professional Lexie Avery, 58, acquired anaphylaxis to penicillin as an adult, despite using it since childhood.
“I’d had penicillin many times before,” Ms Avery said.
“About 3 years ago, I had a penicillin script given to me and had a severe reaction with gastrointestinal vomiting, a severe rash and reduced consciousness which is how I found out I had an anaphylaxis to it.
“I can control my penicillin allergy by not using it, but I do have an epipen now.”
Ms Avery’s penicillin allergy is classified as a drug allergy, similar to 5.2 per cent of the 17, 093 participants in the NHS.
As the data comes from either self or parental reported responses, the incidence of allergic disease could be over or under reported.
However, there is still a strong likelihood they are representative of the 8.2 million Australians with an allergic disease, according to the Deloitte Access Economics 2025 report.
Director of NACE, Professor Kristen Perrett, has told the ABC, that multiple factors have resulted in the rate of allergies doubling over the past two decades.
“It is concerning that the major drivers of the rise of allergic diseases are environmental and the modern lifestyle,” Ms Perrett said.
“We’re spending more time indoors, and we’re putting more emphasis on sanitisation and cleanliness.
“We’re not being exposed to the environment and being exposed to allergens and microbes, which are all part of training our immune system.”
In response to the rise in allergic diseases, the Federal Government has announced a further $14.6 million towards national allergy research and public health programs supporting millions of Australians with an allergic disease.
Ms Perrett stated in a NACE media release that the government’s commitment allows the allergy organisations to continue their research to find a response to the country’s chronic condition.
“There is no cure and no time to waste when it comes to allergies, which touch almost every family, school and healthcare service,” Ms Perrett said.
“Our focus is to address complex clinical challenges through embedded allergy research, rigorous evaluation and the rapid translation of emerging evidence into clinical care, ensuring Australia remains at the forefront of allergy research.”
The additional funding will take effect at the beginning of the 2026-27 financial year in July, lasting until June 2028.
Additional reporting by Aric Kim.
