Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) using Australian health guidelines. Includes healthy weight ranges, health risk assessment, and BMI-for-age reference for children.
| Category | BMI Range | Your Status |
|---|
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), approximately two-thirds of Australian adults are overweight or obese (BMI ≥ 25). BMI is used as a population-level screening tool, not a diagnostic measure.
| Category | BMI Range | Health Risk |
| Underweight | Below 18.5 | Increased risk (nutritional deficiency) |
| Normal weight | 18.5 – 24.9 | Lowest risk |
| Overweight | 25.0 – 29.9 | Increased risk |
| Obese Class I | 30.0 – 34.9 | High risk |
| Obese Class II | 35.0 – 39.9 | Very high risk |
| Obese Class III | 40.0 and above | Extremely high risk |
BMI does not account for muscle mass, bone density, body fat distribution, age, or ethnicity. Athletes may have a high BMI despite low body fat. The AIHW recommends using BMI alongside waist circumference measurements for a more complete picture.
Waist circumference is a useful indicator of abdominal fat. Australian health guidelines recommend: men below 94 cm (risk) and below 102 cm (high risk); women below 80 cm (risk) and below 88 cm (high risk).
For children aged 2–18, BMI must be interpreted using age- and sex-specific BMI-for-age percentiles (from the Australian growth reference charts). Adult BMI cut-offs do not apply to children.
Australians with a BMI over 30 who have a related chronic condition may be eligible for a GP Management Plan (GPMP) under Medicare, providing access to subsidised allied health services including dietitians and exercise physiologists.