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Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs and can spread through the air. TB is preventable and treatable. But it’s one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, claiming around 1.3 million lives every year.
Australia has one of the lowest rates of TB in the world, with around 5 to 6 cases per 100,000 population. However, some communities continue to experience a higher burden of TB including people from countries with high rates of TB, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination and Equity in Australia 2026–2030 focuses on reducing inequities through coordinated national action to improve health outcomes for everyone in Australia.
The plan focuses on 2 priority themes:
- strengthening existing TB programs
- reducing inequities in TB outcomes.
It builds on Australia’s strong TB systems, which includes:
- surveillance
- workforce capability
- post‑migration services
- access to treatment.
The plan also expands attention to the broader impacts of TB, including:
- long-term health effects
- financial impacts
- access to care.
Together, these actions will support Australia’s goal to reduce TB rates by 2030.
Read the strategic plan in the latest edition of the Communicable Diseases Intelligence journal.