To describe morbidity and mortality trends of type 2 diabetes in Australia, from 1990 to 2019, compared with similar sociodemographic index (SDI) countries.Australia-specific Global Burden of Diseases data were used to estimate age-standardised, age-specific, and sex-specific rates for prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and deaths due to type 2 diabetes between 1990 and 2019. Australian data were compared with 14 similar SDI countries.Type 2 diabetes increased in Australia between 1990 and 2019. The age-standardised prevalence increased from 1,985 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1,786.7-2195.3] per 100,000 population, to 3,429 [95% CI 3,053.3-3,853.7]. Cases tripled, from 379,532 [342,465-419,475] to 1,307,261 [1,165,522-1,461,180]. The age-standardised death rates doubled, from 2,098 [1,953-2,203] per 100,000, to 4,122 [3,617-4,512]. DALYs doubled, from 70,348 [59,187-83,500] to 169,763 [129,792-216,150], with increases seen in YLDs and YLLs. Men displayed higher rates. Compared to similar SDI countries, Australia ranked 4th in terms of burden for type 2 diabetes.The burden of type 2 diabetes in Australia has increased considerably over three decades. There is an urgent need to prioritise resource allocation for prevention programs, screening initiatives to facilitate early detection, and effective and accessible management strategies for the large proportion of the population impacted by type 2 diabetes.