Factors associated with successful early and late tracheostomy decannulation in adults have not yet been definitively established in the literature. Identification of these factors would enable health care professionals to inform patients of the likely course of care, enable appropriate resource allocation and follow up care using best available evidence, and ascertain targets for intervention. The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with successful early and late tracheostomy decannulation in adult patients in a large metropolitan tertiary acute hospital.