National Pain Alliance Officially Launched at Parliament House

A new National Pain Alliance, steered by Chronic Pain Australia, launched this week to advocate for chronic pain to be formally recognised within national health data and policy frameworks.

One in five Australians live with chronic pain, making it the leading cause of disability, yet the condition remains largely invisible within the nation’s health policy and data systems.

The National Pain Alliance has been established to change that by bringing together organisations representing Australians living with chronic pain across a wide range of diseases and conditions, including endometriosis.

Without reform, the annual cost of chronic pain is projected to rise from $139.3 billion in 2018 to $215.6 billion by 2050.

Founding members include Chronic Pain Australia, Endometriosis Australia, MS Australia, Arthritis Australia, Wounds Australia, Musculoskeletal Health Australia, CRPS Awareness – The Purple Bucket Foundation, and the Connective Tissue Disorders Network Australia.

To mark the launch at Parliament House in Canberra, five chairs were placed outside the building – one translucent and inscribed with micro-stories by Australians living with chronic pain – representing the one in five people whose pain remains largely unseen within the health system.

“The National Pain Alliance brings together organisations representing a wide range of conditions to ensure chronic pain is finally recognised in national data, policy and health system planning. 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. 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,” said Nicolette Ellis, Chair, Chronic Pain Australia.

The scale of the problem is stark. The National Pain Report 2025 found that more than half (54%) of people living with chronic pain wait over two years for a diagnosis, while 44% wait more than three years.

For many Australians, the consequences can be debilitating. Almost two-thirds (64%) report being unable to work, while 65% report financial strain, often skipping essentials like food or dental care to afford treatment. Nearly three-quarters (74%) report experiencing mental health issues.

Endometriosis Australia at the National Pain Alliance event in Canberra.

“Chronic pain associated with endometriosis is still too often overlooked within Australia’s health system, contributing to delays in diagnosis and gaps in care. The National Pain Alliance is an important step toward improving recognition, strengthening coordination and ensuring patients receive the support they need,” said Monica Forlano, Chair, Endometriosis Australia.

For children living with chronic pain – also estimated to affect around one in five young Australians – the impacts can be just as disruptive, if not more so, to day-to-day life. The most recent Kids in Pain Report found that 83% of children living with pain miss school, with more than half falling behind academically, alongside significant impacts on friendships and mental wellbeing.

“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. There were times when pain made it hard to get through a school day or keep up with everything, and I could see the impact it was having on Mum too. 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, said Laura McMahon, 16, chronic pain advocate.

The National Pain Alliance will work with government, clinicians, researchers and community organisations to strengthen national coordination and visibility of chronic pain across Australia’s health system.

The Alliance will focus on three key priorities: (1) recognising chronic pain as a national health priority, (2) improving national data, measurement and research visibility, and (3) strengthening policy coordination and access to evidence-informed care.

About the National Pain Alliance

The National Pain Alliance is a coalition of organisations representing Australians living with chronic pain. Steered by Chronic Pain Australia, the Alliance advocates for chronic pain to be formally recognised within national health data and policy frameworks.

About Endometriosis Australia

Endometriosis Australia is a nationally accredited charity that endeavours to increase recognition of endometriosis, provide education programs and provide funding for endometriosis research.