Every Australian with a new acute stroke deserves best-practice, timely stroke care.
National Stroke Targets have been developed in consultation with leading Australian stroke clinicians and researchers – to provide best-practice, time critical stroke care for their patients, to reduce avoidable stroke-related deaths and disability.
Background
Despite progress in treatment options, assessment, and access to specialist care, Australia has consistently lagged behind other developed countries in the timely delivery of acute stroke reperfusion and stroke unit access. With a united effort and voice, we have an opportunity to change this situation.
Every Australian with a new acute stroke deserves best-practice, timely stroke care. Aligning on National Stroke Targets is the first step in a collaborative effort to support hospitals, stroke teams and Australian states and jurisdictions to provide best-practice, time critical stroke care for their patients, to reduce avoidable stroke-related deaths and disability.
Read more: Genesis of the 30/60/90 National Stroke Targets
The targets
These targets have been developed in consultation with leading Australian stroke clinicians and researchers, and will be followed by local, State and National initiatives to facilitate progress towards these goals.
By 2030:
National median endovascular clot retrieval door to puncture time <30mins for transfers.
National median thrombolysis door to needle time <60mins.
National median door in door out time for endovascular clot retrieval <60mins in metro hospitals*.
National median endovascular clot retrieval door to puncture time <90mins for primary presenters.
Certified stroke unit care provided to >90% of patients with primary stroke diagnosis.
*Where same-crew ambulance door-in and -out transfer is possible. Regional services retrieving via road should aim for a DIDO time of 75 minutes (hospitals requiring aero-retrieval service are not included in this target).
Action plan
The 30/60/90 National Stroke Targets Action Plan has distilled national and international best practice opinion and guidelines to assist stroke hospitals and state stroke networks in meeting these targets, and is available below.
Progress
With the introduction of the National Stroke Targets in 2023, progress towards the Targets has been tracked. A snapshot of national progress towards the Targets is included below.
Endorsing organisations
The targets are endorsed by the following organisations:
Roadmap
Definition and scope clarification
This document summarises the definitions which are required to facilitate appropriate reporting of baseline performance and progress towards the 30/60/90 National Stroke Targets:
Resources
Uplift Funding
30/60/90 National Targets Uplift Funding aims to support a small number of stroke services across Australia to establish and improve stroke unit access and expedited reperfusion therapies as per the Targets.
This funding has been provided by the Australian Stroke Alliance (ASA), to support local innovation and improvement that drives progress towards meeting the Targets. Funding criteria includes increasing capacity for stroke coordinator FTE, data entry FTE and project management FTE.
Successful applicants will be funded from 1st February 2026 to 30th June 2027, over a maximum of 12 months, up to a total of $90,000 per site. The Uplift Funding Application Guide outlines the submission criteria and should be reviewed in full before completing the online application form. You can also view Frequently Asked Questions.
Applications are now open for 30/60/90 National Stroke Targets Uplift Funding, and will be accepted up to 5pm on Friday 14th November 2025 (AEDT).
Watch the Uplift Funding Q&A Webinar: Your Questions Answered
American Heart Association Target: Stroke Resources
Target: Stroke, launched by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association in 2010, is a national quality improvement initiative focused on improving acute ischemic stroke care by reducing door-to-needle times for eligible patients being treated with tPA. Target: Stroke provides hospitals with a variety of resources to help achieve Target: Stroke goals, which may be useful for Australian hospitals and clinicians.
