Australia’s healthiest and unhealthiest regions revealed, see the full list and find out where your area stands

The postcode you call home may be quietly shaping how long and how well you live. New data has revealed the healthiest places to live in Australia, with inner-city regions in Western Australia, Queensland and New South Wales emerging as standouts for longevity, access to healthcare and overall population health.

A study by comparison website iSelect analysed 21 factors, including housing conditions, climate and environment, population health and access to healthcare, to rank the nation’s healthiest and unhealthiest areas.

Healthiest region in Australia

With an unhealthiness score of just 9.92 out of 100, Inner Perth in Western Australia emerged as the healthiest region in the country, outperforming all others in the national rankings.

The study found the area stands apart for its excellent population health, highlighted by a life expectancy of 85 years and well-below-average rates of premature deaths. Other parts of Western Australia also performed strongly, with Perth’s south-west ranking second and the north-west placing fourth nationwide.

With a life expectancy of around 84 years, low premature death rates and favourable environmental conditions, Brisbane’s inner city secured its place as the second healthiest area to live in the country.

The study also highlighted Brisbane’s southern region, which ranked fifth, noting it delivered similarly favourable health outcomes. The study also highlighted Brisbane’s southern region, which ranked fifth, noting it delivered similarly favourable health outcomes.

Sydney’s eastern suburbs ranked as the sixth healthiest place to live, bolstered by strong healthcare access, with eight doctors per 1,000 people, and an average life expectancy of 84.9 years.

Ranking seventh and eighth, Inner Melbourne and Inner South Melbourne stood out for their excellent healthcare access and largely favourable climate conditions, even with the challenge of colder days.

Rounding out the top 10 were Adelaide’s central and hills regions and the Australian Capital Territory, both recognised for low overcrowding, strong health outcomes and good access to hospitals.

Unhealthiest regions in the country

According to the Iselect website, with an unhealthiness score of 62.02, Latrobe-Gippsland ranked last nationally, weighed down by poor health outcomes, substandard housing conditions and chronic illness rates of 48.3 percent.

Darling Downs, Maranoa in Queensland, ranks second unhealthiest with a score of 59.96, facing low life expectancy, high premature deaths, extreme heat, and limited healthcare access.