Sepsis is a common reason for intensive care unit admission and a leading cause of mortality. Recent prospective randomised controlled trials have shown improved outcomes for patients with severe sepsis. Implementation of these findings into clinical practice has varied. Reasons appear complex but may include regional differences in the epidemiology of sepsis. To improve clinicians' understanding of sepsis, multiple epidemiological studies have been performed in the past 15 years. Differences in study populations and methodology make comparison difficult. After allowing for these differences, it is likely that the percentage of patients with severe sepsis in ICUs is less in Australasia than in many other developed nations. However, the population incidence, mortality, site and causative agent of infection are probably similar. This suggests that treatments and strategies whose efficacy has been demonstrated in other jurisdictions will also be effective in Australasia.