ANZDATA & ANZSN SPECIAL REPORT: Haemodialysis Capacity Survey 2025

Overview

This report presents the results of a 2025 survey of haemodialysis capacity conducted by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Nephrology (ANZSN), the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) Registry, and the New Zealand National Clinical Renal Network. The survey covers all haemodialysis units in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Haemodialysis is the most common form of kidney replacement therapy in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, most often delivered in hospital or satellite dialysis centres. Because treatments are frequent and lengthy, access to services reasonably close to where people live is important. Adequate capacity depends on sufficient machines, staff, and physical space.

The report details patient-to-machine ratios across capital cities and regions, identifies where machines are non-functional due to staffing or funding constraints, and documents waiting lists for haemodialysis access. Key findings include waiting lists in more than 80% of Australian regions, machines out of service in 24% of Australian units, and several jurisdictions operating above usual capacity levels, with particular pressure in regional and remote areas.