Air Quality Index (AQI) in Australia 🇦🇺

Live Air Quality Index (AQI) and PM2.5 Levels in Australia

Currently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Canberra, the capital of Australia, is measured at a score of 10. According to the US EPA health standard, this air quality rating is categorized as Good. The current atmosphere in Canberra is influenced by a PM2.5 (fine particulate matter) concentration of 1.8 µg/m³ and PM10 levels recorded at 1.9 µg/m³. Monitoring of gaseous pollutants shows Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) at 3.5 µg/m³.

Beyond the primary urban hubs, atmospheric conditions and smog levels fluctuate across Australia based on industrial output, traffic density, and local weather patterns. Real-time pollution data and respiratory health alerts are also being actively monitored in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Tracking these air quality metrics is essential for residents nationwide to manage outdoor exposure and maintain respiratory safety during periods of increased particulate concentration.

Air Quality Snapshot: Australia Right Now

Across 22 monitored cities in Australia, live air quality currently ranges from a low of 9 AQI in Bendigo (the cleanest air right now) to a high of 93 AQI in Rockhampton (the most polluted). By US EPA health band, the nationwide distribution stands at 18 Good, 4 Moderate. The average fine-particulate (PM2.5) concentration across these cities is 7.3 µg/m³ — approximately 1.5 times the World Health Organization (WHO) annual air quality guideline of 5 µg/m³.

Australia Air Quality: Major Cities Index

* Air Quality Index (AQI) data for Australia is calculated using the US EPA standard. Information is processed from multiple monitoring stations detecting PM2.5, PM10, and gaseous pollutants to ensure accuracy for respiratory health planning.

What Today's Readings Mean in Australia

The median reading across 22 monitored cities is 37.0 AQI. The national spread is 84 points, from 9 in Bendigo to 93 in Rockhampton. Average PM2.5 is 7.3 µg/m³ (1.5× the WHO annual guideline).

At least one monitored location is in the Moderate range. People unusually sensitive to air pollution may want to reduce prolonged outdoor exertion there.

See the complete AQI and pollutant reference scales

Health & Scientific Resources

→ How to read US EPA Air Quality Index before going outside → Understanding Air Quality Index levels and what they mean → When haze forms and what it does to air quality

Air Quality in Australia — FAQ

Common questions about AQI levels, pollutants, and data sources for Australia.

What is the current air quality in Australia?

Live AQI readings for 22 city(ies) across Australia are listed above on the US EPA 0-500 scale.

Where does Australia's AQI data come from?

Real-time readings come from ground-based monitoring stations operated by national environmental agencies in Australia, delivered via WeatherAPI.com and aggregated using the EPA AQI formula.

What is a healthy AQI value in Australia?

On the EPA scale used worldwide, 0-50 is Good, 51-100 is Moderate, 101-150 is Unhealthy for sensitive groups, 151-200 is Unhealthy, 201-300 is Very Unhealthy, and 301-500 is Hazardous. The WHO 24-hour PM2.5 guideline is 15 μg/m³.

Why do AQI readings vary between cities in Australia?

Air quality is highly local — major pollution sources (traffic, industry, dust, wildfires) cluster around cities, while wind direction and topography move them around. Comparing nearby readings on this page is the best way to see how conditions change across Australia.