Hay Fever Season in Australia

Which regions in Australia are being hit the hardest?

September 2025

Spring has sprung, and some Aussies may be feeling the effects of hay fever. In an effort to keep Aussies informed, the health insurance comparison service, iSelect, has conducted research into the rise of hay fever over the years to determine when and where it peaks in Australia and how it impacts daily lives.

Investigating Google Trends data from the past five years shows that searches for hayfever consistently spiked across Australia every year in October and November, coinciding with the peak pollen season¹. The seasonal surge highlights how many Australians are impacted by allergic rhinitis (hay fever) as spring reaches its height, with warmer weather and increased grass pollination contributing to the symptoms.

A recent study by iSelect found almost two in five Australians surveyed (30.9%) reported that hay fever disrupts their sleep or impacts their plans to spend time outdoors. While 9.7% said they can’t be as productive at work, and 8.4% said they have had to take a sick day due to the severity, 11.8% said they worry about the cost of antihistamines. The pattern reinforces that hay fever is placing a strain on sufferers’ health, productivity, and quality of life.

Further Google Trends data found Australia’s southern regions are the most impacted, with Victoria having the highest search volume (100), followed closely by the Australian Capital Territory (94) and South Australia (88). The lowest search volume was in Queensland (40) and the Northern Territory (42).

The search volume reflects the research from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) National Health Survey 2022, which reported, almost one in four (23.9%) of Australians are living with hay fever or allergic rhinitis. The study also reported regions most impacted, with 34.3% of residents from the ACT, followed by 29.8% of Victorians, and 27.6% of South Australians are suffering from hay fever.

A study by the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) in 2024 found that hay fever (allergic rhinitis) affects 6.4 million (23.5%) Australians and remains the most common allergy. In 2007, Access Economics estimated the prevalence of allergic rhinitis was approximately 3.3 million cases, with an increase in 2024 to 6.4 million cases, highlighting the number of Australians living with hay fever has almost doubled in less than two decades.

“It’s concerning to see that almost one in four Aussies are living with hay fever, which can be challenging at times. The fact that states like Victoria, the ACT, and South Australia are the hardest hit also reflects how local climate and seasons can play a role in allergy severity. Our research found that hay fever impacts 54% Aussies in different ways, including having an impact on their sleep and avoiding the outdoors.

With pollen season just around the corner, it’s important for those who suffer to check their health insurance and extras cover. Depending on your level of cover, you might be able to claim non-PBS specialist pharmaceuticals, such as allergy medications, depending on the severity of your allergies. If necessary, hospital cover can support treatment for ears, nose and throat (ENT) conditions such as sinus surgery if symptoms worsen.

Andres Gutierrez

General Manager – Health at iSelect

Written by:

Sarah Grealy

Digital Public Relations Specialist

0413 363 690

sarah.grealy@iselect.com.au

Sarah is our Digital Public Relations Specialist, and brings more than a decade of experience in the insurance comparison industry to iSelect.

With a passion for storytelling through data-driven insights, Sarah strives to empower Aussies with practical guides and tips.

About the data

The survey was commissioned by iSelect and conducted by PureProfile of 1,021 Australians, nationally represented across, age, gender and location in August 2025. The respondents could select multiple responses to how spring allergies affect their daily lives.

Sources:
Google Trends – https://trends.google.com/trends/ – information accurate as of 10 September 2025
– Frequently Asked Questions – Pollen allergy – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
– Costly Reactions: The economic and social cost of allergic disease in Australia – Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)
– National Health Survey, 2022 | Australian Bureau of Statistics
– National Health Survey: State and territory findings, 2022 | Australian Bureau of Statistics

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