Incidence by State/Territory

Many of Australia's states publish state-specific reports on mesothelioma and other cancers. The number of new cases of mesothelioma reported each year was by far the highest in the state of New South Wales (NSW). This makes sense as NSW is the most populated area of the country and includes the capital city of Sydney. Behind NSW as far as number of cases is concerned is Victoria, followed closely by Queensland and Western Australia.

Technically, however, Western Australian has the highest rate per capita of mesothelioma though not the highest reported number of cases. That's because Western Australia is the home of the town of Wittenoom, a small enclave where dangerous crocidolite asbestos was mined since the 1930s. Situated in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia, 20,000 people once lived and worked in Wittenoom, surrounded by blue asbestos dust. More than 1,000 have died, and today the town has been literally wiped off the map by the government. About eight residents remain, living in squalor with no government services provided to them. Those remaining maintain that they are not in danger.