Lifespan
There are three completed health surveys for Australian Terriers. Two surveys, one in 1997 and one in 2002, by the Australian Terrier Club of America, and one in 2004 by the U.K. Kennel Club.
In both 1997 and 2002 Australian Terrier Club of America surveys, median longevity of Australian Terriers was 11 years. 11 years is a typical median longevity for purebred dogs in general, but on the low end of longevities for breeds similar in size to Australian Terriers.
Major causes of death were cancer, old age, and diabetes.
Common Health Problems
The most commonly reported health problems were endocrine (primarily diabetes), allergic dermatitis, and musculoskeletal (primarily luxating patella and ruptured cranial cruciate ligament). Other conditions reported among more than 4 percent of the surveyed dogs were adult onset cataracts and ear infections.