OBJECTIVE To examine the relationship between illness representations and quality of life and to test whether illness representations can predict quality of life, in patients with haemodialysis. BACKGROUND Illness representations are interpretations of and actions taken by individuals when faced with threats to their health. Exploring relationship of illness representations and quality of life in patients with haemodialysis may help patients self-manage their illness and improve their quality of life. METHODS A cross-sectional correlation design was used (the checklist STROBE was chosen for this study). The study setting was a haemodialysis centre in a teaching hospital. A total of 172 surveys were completed. The inventory comprised demographic data, illness data, the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire and the World Health Organization Quality of Life. RESULTS The illness representations of the surveyed patients fell in the middle range of being not too optimistic or pessimistic. Overall quality of life of patients is moderate. The predictors of quality of life included living status, source of income and two illness representation elements. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed an association between illness representations and quality of life in patients with haemodialysis. New knowledge provided by this study can assist healthcare professionals caring for patients with a Chinese cultural background. CONCLUSIONS Illness representation assessment could be added to clinical care standards, and patients living with family or without family could be given different interventions.