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National Pain Alliance launches
With chronic pain impacting 20% of Australians, the group has called for it to be recognised as a national health priority.
Chronic Pain Australia Chair Nicolette Ellis with 16-year-old Laura McMahon, who lives with chronic pain, and her mother, Michelle, launching the National Pain Alliance.
A new National Pain Alliance has launched – calling for chronic pain to be formally recognised within national health data and policy frameworks.
Around 20% of Australians currently live with chronic pain, with its annual cost predicted to rise to $215.6 billion by 2050.
The alliance, which was launched at Canberra’s Parliament House in March, will be steered by Chronic Pain Australia, and includes Endometriosis Australia, MS Australia, Arthritis Australia, and Wounds Australia.
Chronic Pain Australia Chair Nicolette Ellis said Australia’s health system has ‘long failed to recognise the scale and complexity of chronic pain’.
‘If we continue to overlook chronic pain as a national health priority, the cost will only grow – not just the personal costs to individuals and families, but for the economy and the health system,’ she said.
‘Millions of Australians are being held back from participating fully in work, community and family life, and the nation simply cannot afford to ignore that.’
The alliance will now focus on three key priorities:
- Recognising chronic pain as a national health priority
- Improving national data, measurement and research visibility
- Strengthening policy coordination and access to evidence-informed care
According to the
National Pain Report 2025, 54% of people living with chronic pain wait more than two years for a diagnosis, while 44% wait more than three years.
Meanwhile, 64% report being unable to work, 65% report financial strain, and 74% experience mental health issues.
And for children, the impacts are even greater.
A recent
Kids in Pain report found 83% of children living with pain miss school and more than half fall behind academically.
For 16-year-old Laura McMahon, who helped launch the new alliance, she knows all too well just how much chronic pain can impact everyday life.
‘Living with chronic pain can make you feel really alone, because you’re watching your friends go to school, play sport and hang out while you’re trying to manage a pain that no one can see and some people don’t even believe,’ she said.
‘We spent years going to appointments and doing tests, trying to find answers and someone who could actually help … and that’s why it’s so important that other kids can get support and understanding earlier.’
The National Pain Alliance will now work with government, clinicians, researchers and community organisations in a bid to strengthen national coordination and visibility of chronic pain across Australia’s health system.
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