The Guardian, 16 September 2025

Heatwaves caused more than 1,000 deaths in Australia over four-year period, study finds

Monash researchers say findings underscore urgency of addressing climate-related health risks as continent experiences more days of extreme heat.

Heatwaves caused 1,009 deaths in Australia from 2016 to 2019 according to a new analysis led by researchers at Monash University.

As the national climate risk assessment identified heatwaves as the climate hazard causing the most deaths, the newly published study found Queensland and New South Wales were the states with the highest mortality rates attributable to heatwaves.

Lead author Prof Yuming Guo said the study was the first to take a granular look at the risk of heat-related deaths in local communities across Australia.