Our advocacy impact
Arthritis affects millions of Australians, including children, young adults and people of working age, as well as older people. Two-thirds of those living with these conditions are under 65, yet outdated views of arthritis as a normal part of ageing persist, driving chronic underinvestment. Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions cost the health system $16 billion a year and are a leading cause of chronic pain, disability and early retirement, but receive just 3.6% of national medical research funding.
Changing that is the work of our advocacy. We engage at the highest levels of government, and work actively with the Parliamentary Friends of Arthritis, people with lived experience, clinicians, researchers and peak groups to drive change.
Advocacy for a National Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Research Mission
Following years of campaigning, in June 2026, we stood alongside the Prime Minister, Health Minister and Social Services Minister as the Albanese Government announced the establishment of a $100m Medical Research Future Fund Mission.
Minister Butler said: “I want to stress how much work Arthritis Australia has done to put this work together over a couple of years… we’re very confident that it will be a mission that makes real change for the lives of millions of Australians”.
7 Million Votes: our 2025 federal election campaign
Our election platform called for funding of a Medical Research Future Fund Arthritis Mission, urgent action on out-of-pocket costs, and investment in better models of care and allied health access. The community responded. 724 people living with or caring for someone with arthritis or a musculoskeletal condition emailed their MP through our campaign. On average, every federal MP heard from 4–5 constituents, and senators received around 90 emails each. The Australian Labor Party, the Coalition and the Australian Greens all provided formal responses to our platform, and we are now continuing to work with Parliament to keep arthritis on the national agenda.