Updated
At a Glance
- Australia has recorded between 420 and 650 spider bite hospitalisations a year since 2018–19, with 544 in 2024–251.
- An estimated 2,000 Redback bites occur each year2, but most never need hospital care.
- Redbacks are the most commonly identified spider, linked to 42.5% of spider bite hospitalisations in 2017–183.
- There have been no deaths from a confirmed spider bite in Australia since 19792.
- The Northern Territory (5.3 per 100,000) and South Australia (4.7 per 100,000) had the highest spider bite hospitalisation rates in 2017–183.
- Males made up 57% of spider bite hospitalisations in 2017–183.
- A study of 130 confirmed White-tailed spider bites found no necrotic ulcers4.
How Common Are Spider Bites in Australia?
Spiders bite plenty of Australians, but most bites are not life-threatening.
- Spiders accounted for 19% of venomous bite admissions in 2017–18, second only to hornets, wasps and bees (36%)3.
- Confirmed spider bite deaths have been extremely rare since antivenoms became available2.
How Many Spider Bites Per Year Are Reported in Australia?
Australia has recorded between 420 and 650 spider bite hospitalisations a year since 2018–19 — 544 in 2024–25 — down from 773 in 2016–171.
- In 2017–18, there were 666 hospital admissions for spider bites (19% of all venomous bite admissions)3; the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) now revises that year to 6591.
- Admissions dipped to 599 in 2018–19 and 582 in 2019–20, then rose to 650 in 2020–211.
- They fell to 474 in 2021–22 and 420 in 2022–23 — the lowest year in the published series — before rising to 555 in 2023–24 and 544 in 2024–251.
- Most bites are not fatal and can be treated without a hospital stay.
How Many People Die from Spider Bites Each Year?
Almost none. Australia has had no deaths from a confirmed spider bite since 1979, according to the Australian Museum2, and antivenoms for the Redback and Funnel-web have made fatal bites extremely rare.
- In 2017–18, the National Coronial Information System recorded 19 deaths from venomous animals in Australia: 7 from snakes and 12 from bees and wasps, with none from spiders3.
- In 2016, news reports linked the death of a 22-year-old man to a Redback bite5 during an Australian bushwalk, though the cause of death had not been confirmed at the time.
How Dangerous Are Australian Spiders Compared With Snakes, Bees and Other Animals?
Spiders now put fewer Australians in hospital than snakes, and none of the 19 venomous-animal deaths recorded in 2017–18 were from spiders.
- Spiders were the second most common cause of venomous bite and sting hospitalisations in 2017–18 (666 cases), behind hornets, wasps and bees (1,265) and just ahead of venomous snakes (606)3.
- After adjusting for age, that was 2.7 spider bite hospitalisations per 100,000 people, against 2.4 for snakes and 5.0 for hornets, wasps and bees3.
- Snake bites have since overtaken spider bites: in 2024–25, 855 people were hospitalised after contact with venomous snakes and lizards, compared with 544 for venomous spiders1.
- Spider bites rarely need antivenom: it was given in 26 of 666 spider bite hospitalisations in 2017–18, all of them Redback bites, compared with 86 of 606 snake bite cases3.
Which Regions in Australia Have the Most Spider Bites?
Spider bite rates vary widely by state: the Northern Territory and South Australia have the highest hospitalisation rates, and Tasmania the lowest3.
- Queensland and Victoria had quite low rates of spider bite hospitalisations in 2017–18, after adjusting for age3.
- South Australia had one of the highest rates, at 4.7 spider bite hospitalisations per 100,000 residents in 2017–183.
- The Northern Territory has fewer cases in total but the highest rate of spider bite hospitalisations (5.3 per 100,000 in 2017–18)3 and a high venomous bite rate overall (about 31 venomous bite hospitalisations per 100,000 people).
- Tasmania had the lowest rate, according to the AIHW, but its exact rate is not published because case numbers are small; the Australian Capital Territory's rate is withheld for the same reason3.
- Urban areas have lower rates per person (about 9 venomous bite and sting hospitalisations per 100,000 residents)3 but more bites in total.
- Rural and remote regions have higher rates per person (about 49 venomous bite and sting hospitalisations per 100,000 in very remote areas)3.
The most recent state breakdowns for spider bites are in the AIHW’s 2017–18 venomous bites report.
Spider Bites by Species
Which Spider Causes the Most Bites in Australia?
The Redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) causes more medically significant bites than any other spider in Australia.3
- Redback spiders account for 42.5% of spider bite hospitalisations (283 of 666 cases in 2017–18)3, and an estimated 2,000 Redback bites occur across Australia each year2.
- The spider went unidentified in 45% of hospitalisations (300 cases)3.
- White-tailed and other necrotising spiders account for 5.7% (38 cases)3, though most bites cause only minor symptoms.
- Funnel-web spiders account for only 3.8% (25 cases)3 but are considered the most dangerous.
- Other identified spiders, such as huntsmen and wolf spiders, make up the remaining 3% (20 cases)3.
Are White-tail Spider Bites Dangerous?
Despite persistent myths, there is no scientific evidence that White-tailed spider bites cause necrotic skin lesions in Australia.4
- A clinical study of 130 confirmed White-tailed spider bites found no necrotic ulcers; most caused minor effects, though 44% left a persistent painful red lesion and 9% caused systemic effects4.
- When skin damage is blamed on a spider bite, the real cause is usually another condition or an infection.
- White-tailed spider bites generally cause only mild illness with local pain and sometimes nausea.
What Is the Deadliest Spider in Australia?
The Sydney Funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) is responsible for Australia's deadliest recorded spider bites.
- Between 1927 and the introduction of antivenom, Sydney Funnel-web spiders caused 13 recorded deaths in Australia.2
- The venom contains a powerful neurotoxin that can cause severe symptoms within 15 minutes.
- Up to 30–40 Funnel-web bites occur annually2, and antivenom is given only when signs of serious envenoming appear.
- The development of the Funnel-web antivenom is considered one of Australia's greatest medical achievements.
Who Gets Bitten by Spiders in Australia?
Bites by Age
People of every age get bitten, but some age groups stand out.
- Redbacks caused the highest rate of spider bite hospitalisations in every age group in 2017–18, peaking at 1.3 cases per 100,000 among people aged 45–643.
- Middle-aged adults see plenty of bites too, often during outdoor or household activities — several sting categories peaked among 45–64-year-olds in 2017–183.
- Spider bites were the second most common cause of venomous bite and sting hospitalisations for children aged 0–4 (2.3 cases per 100,000)3.
- Funnel-web and White-tailed spider bites were mostly seen in older age groups3.
Bites by Gender
Males account for 57% of spider bite hospitalisations in Australia (382 of 666 cases in 2017–18), with females making up the other 43% (284 cases).3
- The gap is likely down to work and leisure: men are more often in outdoor jobs such as construction, landscaping and agriculture.
- Spider bites made up a larger share of venomous bite and sting hospitalisations for females (22%) than for males (17%) in 2017–183.
- Men and women alike run into spiders at home, especially when gardening or doing jobs around the house.
Related Statistics
When and Where Do Spider Bites Happen?
A third of hospitalised spider bites (221 cases in 2017–18) happened in and around people’s homes, though more than half (56%) had no place recorded3.
What Activities Increase the Risk of Spider Bites?
- Gardening or yard work without gloves makes it easy to disturb a hidden spider and get bitten.
- Spiders hide in quiet, undisturbed spots, so clearing out sheds, garages and storage areas brings people close to them.
- Reaching into shoes, containers or letterboxes without checking first can end in a bite.
- Putting on clothes or shoes left outside without shaking them out first raises the risk.
- Spiders are more active in the warmer months, so outdoor work and play carry more risk then.
When Are Spider Bites Most Common?
Spider bites in Australia follow the seasons: spring, summer and early autumn (September to April) usually see the most.
- Redback bites typically surge in late summer and autumn.
- Bites drop off in winter, when spiders are less active.
- Funnel-webs are more active after rain, so the risk of a bite rises in wet weather.
How Are Spider Bites Treated in Australia?
Spider bite treatment in Australia has improved considerably over recent decades:
- Redback antivenom became available in 19562, but a 2014 trial of 224 patients found that adding it to standard pain relief did not significantly improve pain or other symptoms6.
- Funnel-web antivenom was developed in 19817 and has since been given to at least 100 patients2, with no deaths recorded since its introduction7.
- Pressure immobilisation bandaging helps slow the spread of venom from a Funnel-web bite.
- A cold pack is now the recommended way to ease the pain of a Redback bite.
- Antivenom is used less for minor bites, as evidence shows many cases settle without it.
- Pain relief protocols have improved for the intense pain of Redback bites.
- Closer monitoring helps doctors spot patients who need more intensive treatment.
FAQs
What should you do if you are bitten by a spider in Australia?
First aid depends on the spider. Treat any suspected Funnel-web bite as potentially dangerous: apply a pressure immobilisation bandage, as you would for a snake bite7, and get to hospital, where antivenom is held at major city and regional hospitals. For a Redback bite, a cold pack is the recommended first aid to ease the pain.
Are huntsman spiders dangerous?
No. Huntsmen do have venom and a bite may cause some ill effects, but they are reluctant to bite and usually run away instead2.
Are female Funnel-web spiders dangerous?
Only male Sydney Funnel-webs have caused recorded deaths7, as female venom appears to lack the toxin that makes the male bite so dangerous. Not every Funnel-web species shows this difference, though, so a bite from any Funnel-web, male or female, should be treated as potentially dangerous.
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References
- Injury in Australia — supplementary data tables (hospitalisations to 2024–25) · aihw.gov.au ↑ b c d e f g
- Spider facts — The Australian Museum · australian.museum ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m
- AIHW — Venomous bites and stings · aihw.gov.au ↑ b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z a2 b2 c2 d2 e2
- White-tail spider bite: a prospective study of 130 definite bites by Lampona species (Isbister & Gray, Med J Aust 2003) · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↑ b c
- Funds raised for Mullumbimby man who died after spider bite — The Byron Shire Echo · echo.net.au ↑
- Randomized controlled trial of intravenous antivenom versus placebo for latrodectism: the second Redback Antivenom Evaluation (RAVE-II) study (Isbister et al., Ann Emerg Med 2014) · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov ↑
- Australian Funnel-web Spiders — The Australian Museum · australian.museum ↑ b c d e
- National Coronial Information System (NCIS) · ncis.org.au
- Australian Museum · australian.museum
- PubMed · pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
