Patients in Brisbane with asthma and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis can expect to have more symptoms than their southern city counterparts, a new study suggests.

The research, which tracked shifts in pollen seasonality, biodiversity and allergy impact, found the Queensland capital has multiple summer–autumn peaks of hyperallergenic grass pollen.

It also shows that Sydney and Canberra have a major spring and minor summer pollen peak, while Melbourne has a single major spring peak. 

The findings came from a four-year study that involved simultaneous monitoring of daily airborne grass and other pollen concentrations in the four eastern Australian cities by the AusPollen Partnership.