More Australians took their own lives in 2017 than the year before, with almost a third of those who died by suicide experiencing an alcohol or drug use disorder at the time.
There was 3128 deaths by suicide across the nation last year, compared to 2866 in 2016, new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows.
The rate of suicide deaths per 100,000 people was 12.7 in 2017, compared to 11.8 in 2016.
The 2017 rate is on par with 2015 as the highest preliminary rate recorded in the past decade.
The figures show the increase in suicide deaths between 2016 and 2017 was not spread evenly across the states and territories.
Queensland recorded the steepest rise, with 804 deaths by suicide in 2017, compared to 674 the year before.
New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory recorded the next most notable increases, but the number was marginally lower in Victoria and South Australia.
The ABS has also shed light this year, for the first time, on health conditions people were experiencing at the time of their death by suicide.
Mood disorders, which include depression, were recorded as being experienced by 43 per cent of those who died, while anxiety or stress-related disorders were being experienced by 17.5 per cent.
Drug and alcohol use disorders, which include both drug misuse and acute intoxication, were being experienced by 29.5 per cent of people.
The suicide rate continued to be higher among men than women in 2017, and among indigenous Australians compared with the broader population.
The data comes as the federal government has given $36 million to organisations trying to curb the number of Australians taking their own lives.
Suicide Prevention Australia and Mental Health First Aid Australia are among 15 groups to have received a share of the money for projects, including research and awareness-raising ventures.
Health Minister Greg Hunt says suicide, which accounts for almost 3000 Australian deaths each year, remains a "national tragedy".
"One life lost to suicide is one too many," he said.
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