Figure 2a is a line graph depicting the temporal change in the population-based rate of post-mortem examinations of suspected prion disease case deaths, by year (1993-2015) and state and territory for NSW, QLD, VIC and WA.  There is significant over-lapping variability in the post-mortem rate for each state over the 1993-2011 timeframe: however, the overall trend in New South Wales and Victoria is positive yet in Queensland and Western Australia, rates have decreased in more recent years. The marked decrease in the post-mortem rate in QLD in 2013 reflects the interruption of the autopsy service in that state. In WA, the lower rate of post-mortems since 2011 compared to pre-2012 years is due to uncertain causes.