Most antibiotic use in Australia arises from prescriptions in the community
The risk of antibiotic-related adverse events, including resistance, increases with longer treatment courses
When antibiotics are indicated for treatment, short courses are as effective as standard ones for most common infections
Therapeutic Guidelines: Antibiotic is a key reference for antimicrobial prescribing in Australia
General practitioners play a key role in reducing antibiotic use
Keywords: antibiotic; antimicrobial stewardship; bacterial infections.