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We are MS Australia, Australia’s national multiple sclerosis (MS) not-for-profit organisation that empowers researchers to identify ways to treat, prevent and cure MS, seeks sustained and systemic policy change via advocacy, and acts as the champion for Australia’s community of people affected by MS.
We are the largest Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to funding, coordinating, educating and advocating for MS research as part of the worldwide effort to solve MS.
Our sincere belief is that we can find ways to prevent and cure MS. Not only eradicating new diagnoses but enabling symptoms to be treated for those living with MS. Our ultimate, singular goal is to enable a world without MS.
Our influence is broad, as the expert, trusted national voice on MS to government and media, and respected supporter of MS medical research in Australia.
We wouldn’t be able to do what we do without the help of our MS Member Organisations and you, our community. With a collective dedication to funding and progressing vital MS research and advocacy, we can together enhance and enrich our mutual work and help bring a louder voice and dynamism to the MS cause.
Our Member Organisations provide the majority of our funding to undertake an agreed international and national MS research and advocacy agenda. They rely on MS Australia to provide the latest evidence-based information to ensure their community of people living with MS, carers, families and the wider community have the best possible information, resources and services in their own jurisdictions.
Our Member Organisations are essential to the work we do at MS Australia. Each member organisation has nominated Directors on the MS Australia Board, Governance, Audit & Risk and National Funding Committees.
View an outline of our activities below.
MS Australia has advocated and sought to improve the lives of people living with or affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) for nearly 50 years.
In 1972, following years of discussion about the need for an organisation to drive awareness, research and support for people with MS, the state MS organisations formed the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Australia (NMSSA). Â
In 1977, the National Medical Research Advisory Board established a research fund which in 1983 became the National MS Research Foundation. Â
In 1999, thanks to the work of (then) Chair John Studdy and after a long period of growth, the National MS Society of Australia changed its name to MS Australia – the organisation we are known as today, providing a national voice for the MS community. Â
During the 1990s, funding from our MS Member Organisations formed the basis of our research grants program – funding a wide range of Australian MS research projects. Â
Alongside long-standing systemic advocacy on a range of issues at the national level MS Australia was also advancing research funding. Â
In 2004 MS Research Australia was established; Kiss Goodbye to MS followed in 2012, its community growing rapidly and in 2019, the virtual fitness and fundraising event, The May 50K, was born. Since its inception, The May 50K has raised over $13.9 million in Australia and $17.3 million globally to accelerate MS research. Â
In 2021, MS Australia and MS Research Australia amalgamated to become one organisation, to increase the commitment to both research and advocacy to improve the lives of people living with MS. MS Australia is now the largest not-for-profit funder of MS research in the country, with over $47 million invested in vital MS research. Â
MS Australia continues to advocate across the health, disability and aged care sectors, responding to the impact of government policies and initiatives and seeking to improve all aspects of the lives of people affected by MS. Â
Through MS Australia, Australians living with and affected by MS are actively and directly influencing the MS research and advocacy agenda – to accelerate research toward better treatments, prevention and ultimately a cure for MS.
