Australian Asthma Handbook
The National Guidelines for Health Professionals
Australian Asthma Handbook
The National Guidelines for Health Professionals
Information on updated topics in the new version of the Australian Asthma Handbook.
What’s new in the Australia Asthma Handbook
The Australian Asthma Handbook V3.0 delivers updated clinical guidelines alongside the launch of a newly redesigned website. Both projects were developed in parallel. The guidelines update was led by the Guidelines Commitee and the website was informed by extensive user research with primary care health professionals. Further information and details can be found in the methodology section.
Website design
The new website retains the comprehensive clinical scope of the Handbook while offering clear structure, simplified navigation and an improved interface, making it easier for health professionals to find information quickly.
Clinical guidance format
Content has been revised and standardised using a consistent template to ensure concise, practical guidance that supports everyday primary care practice.
Clinical guidance changes
Updated topics since the previous version and key updates to clinical guidance are detailed in the tables below.
| Section | 2025 (V3.0) |
| Diagnosis – Adults and adolescents | Full update |
| Diagnosis – Children 6–11 years | Full update |
| Diagnosis – Children 1–5 years | Full update |
| Principles of management – Adults and adolescents | Full update |
| Principles of management – children 6–11 years | Full update |
| Principles of management – children 1–5 years | Full update |
| Medication management – adults and adolescents | Full update |
| Medication management – children 6–11 years | Full update |
| Medication management – children 1–5 years | Full update |
| Adjunctive management – adults and adolescents | Full update |
| Adjunctive management – children 6–11 years | Full update |
| Adjunctive management – 1–5 years | Full update |
| Acute asthma – adults and adolescents (primary care) | Interim update |
| Acute asthma – adults and adolescents (emergency departments) | Interim update |
| Acute asthma – children 6–11 years (primary care) | Interim update |
| Acute asthma – children 6–11 years (emergency departments) | Interim update |
| Acute asthma – children 1–5 years (primary care) | Interim update |
| Acute asthma – children 1–5 years (emergency departments) | Interim update |
| Topics - Asthma in pregnancy | Interim update |
| Topics - Work-related asthma | Interim update |
| Topics - Exercise and asthma | Interim update |
| Topics - Allergy and asthma | Interim update |
| Topics - Thunderstorm asthma | Interim update |
| Topics - Managing asthma with comorbidity | Interim update |
| Topics - Asthma and COPD | Interim update |
| Topics - Asthma triggers | Interim update |
| Topics - Smoking and vaping | Interim update |
| Topics - Primary prevention of asthma in children | Interim update |
| Topics - Asthma in First Nations People | Interim update |
| Medicines Guide | Full update |
Full update: Guidelines Committee formally analysed recommendations and evidence in source guidelines
Interim update: Guidelines Committee reviewed and revised recommendations based on previous edition and reviewed supporting text with selected evidence updated
| Topic | What’s new | Where to find in the Handbook |
| Diagnosis (12+ years) | Revised diagnostic algorithm | Diagnosing asthma in adults and adolescents |
| Diagnosis (12+ years) | Fractional exhaled nitric oxide test now recommended in diagnostic investigations, in addition to spirometry | Diagnosing asthma in adults and adolescents |
| Diagnosis (6–11 years) | Revised diagnostic algorithm | Diagnosing asthma in children 6–11 years |
| Diagnosis (6–11 years) | Fractional exhaled nitric oxide test now recommended in diagnostic investigations, in addition to spirometry | Diagnosing asthma in children 6–11 years |
| Diagnosis (1–5 years) | Revised diagnostic algorithm | Diagnosing asthma in children 1–5 years |
| Diagnosis (1–5 years) | Explicit criteria for treatment trial of inhaled corticosteroids to confirm the diagnosis | Diagnosing asthma in children 1–5 years |
| Treatment (12+ years) | Revised treatment options at each level, now divided into recommended and alternative regimens | Treatment levels for adults and adolescents |
| Treatment (12+ years) | Recommendation against short-acting beta2 agonist monotherapy: inhaled corticosteroid now indicated for all adults and adolescents with asthma | Initial asthma treatment for adults and adolescents after diagnosis |
| Treatment (12+ years) | Recommended first-line initial treatment after diagnosis now budesonide–formoterol, taken as needed for asthma symptoms | Initial asthma treatment for adults and adolescents after diagnosis |
| Treatment (12+ years) | Regimens that include anti-inflammatory reliever (single-inhaler budesonide–formoterol or beclomethasone–formoterol) now recommended in preference to regimens using short-acting beta2 agonist (salbutamol or terbutaline) as reliever | Treatment levels for adults and adolescents |
| Difficult-to-treat asthma (12+ years) | Specialist referral routinely recommended for asthma that is uncontrolled despite optimised maintenance treatment with regimens containing medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids (after assessing and managing modifiable contributing factors including poor adherence and incorrect inhaler technique) | Managing difficult-to-treat asthma in adults and adolescents |
| Difficult-to-treat asthma (12+ years) | Blood eosinophil count and spirometry recommended in the assessment of asthma that is uncontrolled despite maintenance treatment with regimens containing medium-dose inhaled corticosteroids, pending specialist referral | Managing difficult-to-treat asthma in adults and adolescents |
| Difficult-to-treat asthma (12+ years) | Revised recommendations on short-term treatment options before specialist assessment | Managing difficult-to-treat asthma in adults and adolescents |
| Severe asthma (12+ years) | Updated information on type 2 airway inflammation in asthma and monoclonal antibody therapy | Specialist assessment and treatment for severe asthma in adults and adolescents |
| Adjunctive treatment (12+ years) | Updated recommendations on specific allergen immunotherapy | Specific allergen immunotherapy for adults and adolescents |
| Treatment (6–11 years) | Revised indications for inhaled corticosteroid maintenance treatment | Initial asthma treatment for children 6–11 years after diagnosis |
| Severe asthma (6–11 years) | Updated information on type 2 airway inflammation in asthma and monoclonal antibody therapy | Specialist assessment and treatment for severe asthma in children 6–11 years |
| Treatment (1–5 years) | Revised indications for inhaled corticosteroid maintenance treatment | Initial asthma treatment for children 1–5 years after diagnosis of preschool asthma |
| Adjunctive treatment (6–11 years) | Updated recommendations on specific allergen immunotherapy | Specific allergen immunotherapy for children 6–11 years |
| Acute asthma | Guidance separated by setting: primary care and emergency departments |
Managing acute asthma in adults and adolescents in primary care Managing acute asthma in children 6–11 years in primary care Managing acute asthma in children 1–5 years in primary care Managing acute asthma in adults and adolescents in the ED |
| Acute asthma (6–11 years) | Revised oxygen saturation target |
Managing acute asthma in children 6–11 years in primary care |
| Acute asthma (1–5 years) | Revised oxygen saturation target |