Lowest price guarantee
Free shipping Australia wide on orders over $100
Bulk Billed Sleep Studies Available - Find Out More
Call Us
1300 76 29 39
Find a Clinic
74 Locations

Why Sleep Apnea Is a Growing Australian Health Crisis

June 12, 2025

ABC News recently published a powerful report highlighting what sleep experts have been warning about for years: sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are becoming a major public health issue in Australia.1 Millions of people may be unknowingly living with a serious condition that quietly puts their health—and lives—at risk.

A sleep specialist highlighted in the article warns that “at least a couple of million people” in Australia are living with conditions like insomnia and sleep apnea—most of them undiagnosed and untreated. The specialist added that the effects aren’t minor – sleep issues affect nearly every aspect of your body, from your brain and heart to your immune and respiratory systems.1

Obstructive sleep apnea is more than just loud snoring or restless sleep. It occurs when the airway repeatedly collapses during sleep, cutting off airflow and forcing the brain to jolt the body awake—sometimes hundreds of times a night.2 You may not even realise it’s happening, but your body does.

Left untreated, OSA is linked to serious and life-threatening conditions. Studies show it can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke, raise blood pressure, and worsen diabetes.2 It’s even been associated with earlier death, particularly from heart disease.2 In fact, in 2018, OSA was linked to more than 1,100 deaths in Australia, often alongside other chronic illnesses.3

Daytime fatigue from OSA can more than double the risk of motor vehicle accidents, and it’s a serious workplace safety concern—especially for people working with machinery or in transport roles.4

Despite all this, over 80% of adults with moderate to severe OSA remain undiagnosed.5 That means hundreds of thousands of Australians are potentially living with a serious health condition, unaware that their sleep could be quietly undermining their health, safety, and quality of life.

The good news? It’s treatable. CPAP therapy – a highly effective treatment – involves a bedside machine which gently blows air through a mask to keep your airway open, eliminating symptoms.6

If you snore, feel exhausted during the day, or wake frequently during the night, don’t brush it off. Talk to your doctor about getting assessed for sleep apnea. A simple sleep study could change your life.

How Sove CPAP Clinic Can Help

Founded in 2008, Sove CPAP Clinic has grown to become a leading provider of respiratory and sleep services and products in Australia, with over 60 clinics nationwide. Our comprehensive clinical team includes Respiratory & Sleep Specialists, Sleep Technologists, and CPAP Consultants, ensuring that you receive comprehensive and personalised care. All medical procedures, including sleep studies and lung function testing, are bulk billed to all Australians, with minimal wait time.

If you would like to speak to a Respiratory & Sleep Physician, book a bulk-billed sleep study, or seek advice for your sleep apnea, you can reach us at 1300 76 29 39 or info@thecpapclinic.com.au.

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. CPAP is used for Obstructive Sleep Apnea treatment. When considering whether a sleep study or CPAP is right for you, speak to your doctor. Medicare criteria and T&Cs apply.

References

  1. Sadler, Rahni, and Ellen Coulter. “Sleep Becoming Major Health Issue for Australians as Insomnia and Sleep Apnoea on the Rise.” Abc.net.au, ABC News, 7 June 2025, www.abc.net.au/news/2025-06-08/sleep-becoming-major-health-issue-in-australia/105380528. Accessed 12 June 2025.
  2. Girardin Jean-Louis, et al. “Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Cardiovascular Disease: Role of the Metabolic Syndrome and Its Components.” Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, vol. 4, no. 3, 15 June 2008, p. 261, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2546461/.
  3. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. “Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders with a Focus on Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.” 2021, www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/6ea49796-0272-4182-b5bd-b93445bd0f06/aihw-phe-294-obstructive-sleep-apnoea-osa.pdf?v=20240226145211&inline=true. Accessed 12 June 2025.
  4. Sina, Elliott M., et al. “Risk of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Comparative Analysis of CPAP versus Surgery.” Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, 21 Jan. 2025, https://doi.org/10.1002/ohn.1131.
  5. Laher, Ismail, et al. “The Public Health Burden of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.” Sleep Sci, vol. 14, no. 3, 2021, pp. 257–265, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8848533/pdf/ssci-14-03-0257.pdf, https://doi.org/10.5935/1984-0063.20200111.
  6. Information, National Center for Biotechnology, et al. SUMMARY of EVIDENCE. Www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, 18 Nov. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK195810/.