Indoor air: the science of indoor air and pathways to improve indoor air quality in Australia

Published 5 November 2025

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The majority of human exposure to air pollution occurs indoors, where people spend around 90% of their time. Air pollution negatively affects human health and wellbeing, accessibility of spaces, and the economy.

Despite decades of effort by many experts, and a large body of evidence about the scale of the problem, indoor air quality has attracted little attention. In Australia, we don't measure nor monitor indoor air according to scientific best practice – and so, we don't manage poor indoor air.

This report provides a primer on the scientific evidence base and explores policy pathways to deliver healthier indoor air for everyone.

Policymakers have a range of mechanisms available to improve indoor air quality in Australia. The options provided in this document offer opportunities for immediate action and long-term strategic planning.

These start with:

• elevating indoor air quality as a national health and infrastructure priority
• establishing a multidisciplinary taskforce to provide expert advice on indoor air quality to multiple government departments
• developing a national reporting standard for workplace indoor air quality
• adopting the World Health Organization's Global air quality guidelines.

Read more about the case for clean indoor air