Our Impact
This year, Arthritis Australia marked 75 years of working alongside Australians living with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, who now number over 7 million Australians. It has been a year of strategic milestones: : a successful advocacy campaign securing $100m in government research investment into the sector, Parliamentary events that brought policymakers and lived experience into the same room, the launch of new resources to complete our suite of condition-specific websites, info sheets, booklets and videos, as well as investment in more research, and a national push to make everyday products genuinely usable for everyone.
But the numbers and milestones only tell part of the story. Behind every grant is a researcher looking for a breakthrough that could change lives. Behind every advocacy win is a person with arthritis fighting to be heard. Behind every accessible design agreement is someone who can finally open their own packaging. This impact reporting is about that work, the people at the heart of it, and the acknowledgement that it could not have been achieved with our supporters and donors like you.
Are you interested in our full Impact Report?
Email us at fundraising@arthritisaustralia.org.au to request a copy.
What we do
Speaking up for people with arthritis
Arthritis affects millions of Australians, including children, young adults and people of working age. Two-thirds of those living with these conditions are under 65, yet outdated views of arthritis as an normal part of ageing persist, driving stigma and chronic underinvestment.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 engaged at the highest levels of government. We led the strongest national advocacy program in our history. We completed our 7 Million Votes federal election campaign, celebrated our 75th anniversary with a Parliamentary event attended by the Prime Minister and over a dozen parliamentarians.
Help, when it’s needed
Partnering with state and territory arthritis organisations
Arthritis Australia secures national funding and works with state and territory affiliated arthritis organisations to deliver key programs including the national Arthritis Infoline, and juvenile arthritis kids’ camps.
Funding the future of treatment
Designing a world that works for everyone
Living with arthritis is not only about managing pain or fatigue. It is also about navigating everyday products and environments that have not always been designed with limited grip, strength, dexterity or movement in mind. A medicine blister pack that is difficult to push through. Kitchen utensils with difficult to grip handles. Heavy and difficult to twist open jars. These moments can affect confidence, choice, independence and safety.
Arthritis Australia’s Accessible Design Division works with manufacturers, designers, industry bodies and health organisations to make everyday products easier and safer to use. When products are designed with accessibility in mind, they do not just support people living with arthritis; they work better for everyone.
Our priorities for the year ahead
Seventy-five years after Arthritis Australia’s first AGM in 1950, our original aims, to research,
advocate and support, still drive everything we do. The year ahead will see us:
- Continuing to advocate for the needs of people with arthritis, including shaping the dedicated $100 million Medical Research Future Fund Mission, action on out-of-pocket costs, and equitable access to evidence-based care.
- Furthering our response and implementation plan in line with the recommendations of the Impactful Arthritis Research Report.
- Funding a new round of impressive and promising research projects through the National Research Program.
- Embedding consumer involvement throughout our research program, with new processes rolling out in our 2026 grant rounds.
- Building on the provision of information resources to empower Australians with arthritis through every stage of their journey.
- Continuing the Accessible Design Alliance's work to drive industry-wide change in packaging and product design.
- Continuing the Accessible Design Alliance's work to drive industry-wide change in packaging and product design.
None of this is possible without the people who power it: our staff, Board, Committee members, volunteers, state and territory Affiliates, the Australian Rheumatology Association, our researchers, our consumers, our donors and our community fundraisers. Whether you ran a marathon, opened your wallet, joined a campaign, shared your story, or simply took the time to read this, thank you. Together, we remain committed to our vision of Freedom from Arthritis.