Other services
Links to trusted organisations, health services and support groups — so you can find the right help for your condition, your life stage and your needs
Quick links
Living with arthritis means navigating a health system that involves much more than a diagnosis. Whether you’re looking for financial support, mental health resources, help around the home, or connection with others who understand what you’re going through — there are organisations across Australia ready to help.
This section brings together a curated list of trusted services and organisations, grouped by topic, to make it easier to find what you need. From government entitlements to condition-specific communities, it’s all in one place.
A range of healthcare professionals may be involved in helping you manage your arthritis. Find out what each member of your healthcare team does and how to find them. Get tips on getting the most from a visit to your health professional.
Government services
Healthdirect Australia / 1800 MEDICARE
Free health advice and information, available 24/7 by phone or online. Find local health services through the National Health Services Directory.
www.healthdirect.gov.au or call 1800 022 222
https://www.1800medicare.gov.au/ or call 1800 633 422
Medicare (Services Australia)
Information about federally funded health services and what you may be eligible for under the Medicare scheme.
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/medicare
Medical Costs Finder
A tool to find and understand costs for GP and medical specialist services across Australia
https://medicalcostsfinder.health.gov.au/
Centrelink (Services Australia)
Find out about Commonwealth financial support and benefits you may be entitled to.
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/centrelink
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
The NDIS provides funding to eligible people with disability to support greater independence, community participation and quality of life.
Mental health & wellbeing
Beyond Blue
Free telephone and online counselling service is open 24/7 for everyone in Australia
www.beyondblue.org.au or call 1300 22 4636
SANE Australia
SANE offers a range of free digital and telehealth support services for people over 18 years of age with complex mental health needs, and their family, friends and carers.
www.sane.org or call 1800 187 263
Kids Help Line
Free and confidential telephone and online counselling for young people aged 5–25.
www.kidshelpline.com.au or call 1800 551800
Disability, independence & caring
Carers Australia
Information and advocacy for people who provide unpaid support to someone living with disability, chronic illness, mental illness, or who is frail aged.
Australia’s National Equipment Database
Information and advice on assistive technology products and equipment to support independent living.
Community & peer support
The Shed Online
An online community for men to connect, share skills and access health information in a relaxed, supportive environment.
Livewire
A free, safe online community run by the Starlight Children’s Foundation, connecting young people aged 12–20 living with illness or disability — and their siblings — across Australia and New Zealand.
Consumer, patient and condition-specific organisations
Consumer’s Health Forum of Australia
The national peak body representing the interests of Australian healthcare consumers, working towards safe, quality and timely healthcare.
The Patient Voice Initiative
The Patient Voice Hub and online resources equip patients, carers and their organisations and groups to use their patient knowledge to inform assessments about government funding of medicines and other health technologies.
https://www.patientvoiceinitiative.org/
Australian Patient Advocacy Alliance
A collective of national health organisations representing Australians living with complex and chronic disease.
www.patientadvocacyalliance.org.au
Healthy Bones Australia
Information and resources about osteoporosis — a condition that causes bones to become fragile and increases the risk of fractures.
www.healthybonesaustralia.org.au
Sjogren’s Australia
A charity advocating for research and supporting people living with Sjögren’s disease in Australia.
Juvenile Arthritis Foundation Australia
Supporting children and families living with juvenile arthritis through information, advocacy and community connection.
CreakyJoints Australia
Information for Australian arthritis patients and their families, connecting patients with current disease-specific information and support across a spectrum of arthritis conditions.
Dragon Claw
Promotes patient centric self-care and attempts to provide coordinated care management for all people with an autoimmune inflammatory disease.
Scleroderma Australia
Scleroderma Australia was formed in 2005 to facilitate a national representative voice in supporting our scleroderma community across Australia. Delegates from the states make up our Board to ensure we have representation across Australia.
International arthritis organisations
Arthritis Foundation (USA)
Comprehensive information about arthritis conditions, treatments and living well, from the American not-for-profit organisation.
Versus Arthritis (UK
Information and support for people living with all types of arthritis, from the UK charity.
Arthritis New Zealand
Resources and support for New Zealanders living with arthritis.
Arthritis Society (Canada)
Canada’s leading not-for-profit organisation devoted to funding arthritis research, programs and care.