The latest Annual Site Census offers a comprehensive snapshot of ACEM-accredited EDs across both countries, providing essential data on ED activity, staffing levels, vacancies, treatment spaces, trends and workforce patterns. The findings are available via interactive dashboards on the ACEM website, allowing users to search and compare data by region, remoteness and ED size.
‘The 2025 Annual Site Census findings are now available and accessible via interactive dashboards on the ACEM website,’ ACEM President Dr Peter Allely said.
‘Increases in ED presentations and persistent shortages of emergency physicians, particularly in regional, rural and remote (RRR) EDs, are among the key census findings.’
Key findings include:
- ED demand is growing: 8.8 million ED attendances were recorded from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, up 2 per cent from the previous year. Nearly a quarter of presentations were for those aged 65 and over.
- Staff shortages are critical: 38 per cent of EDs reported funded but unfilled emergency specialist positions, while 55.3 per cent reported trainee vacancies.
- Patients are waiting far too long: ACEM advocates that no one should remain in an ED for more than 12 hours, however 130,134 ED visits (equivalent to an average of 356 people per day) recorded an ED length of stay exceeding 24 hours.