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Injury is a leading cause of mortality, hospitalised morbidity and disability in Australia and New Zealand. Of the many public health challenges facing clinicians on a daily basis, traumatic injury is one of the most significant. A large spectrum of injury severity may result, ranging from minor injuries which require little medical intervention through to severe multisystem trauma, requiring definitive management by an experienced multidisciplinary team. An improved understanding of the incidence and prevalence of trauma can empower clinicians of all levels of experience to contribute to improving the trauma system they work in at a local level. This paper provides an overview of the history and epidemiology of traumatic injury in Australia and New Zealand. The reading of this article and completion of revision questions is equivalent to 2h of self-directed learning.

The development of trauma systems in Australia has evolved over the last 18 to 20 years. Following a primarily North American model, nearly all the states and territories have identified and or implemented trauma system components to improve outcomes from injury. Trauma systems across the country are at varying stages of evolution, some are only in the early stages of development, and others are well established. As with most countries, multiple factors have influenced the development of trauma systems within each region. This study will provide an overview of the Australian Health System, initiatives implemented to reduce injury, the spectrum of trauma in Australia, and the current status of trauma systems development.

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