Painaustralia is Australia’s leading pain advocacy body working to improve the quality of life of people living with pain, their families and carers, and to minimise the social and economic burden of pain on individuals and the community.
Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management - Bringing the Voices of People Living with Pain to Parliament
March 2026
Launch of a new patient-led communication resource supporting better conversations between patients and healthcare professionals.
On 10 March 2026, the Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management hosted an event at Parliament House bringing together parliamentarians, advocates, clinicians and people with lived experience of chronic pain. The gathering highlighted the importance of recognising chronic pain as a complex health condition and ensuring that people living with pain are supported to be active partners in their care.
The event also marked the launch of the MPaCT – My Pain Assessment Communication Tool, developed in collaboration with Painaustralia and Dragon Claw Charity. MPaCT is a patient-designed tool that helps people communicate the nature and impact of their pain more clearly, supporting better understanding between patients and healthcare professionals and strengthening patient-centred care. We would like to extend our thanks to our Co-Convenors of the Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management Senator Wendy Askew and Mr David Smith MP who spoke at and hosted our event.
Media Release
"My Pain Is Not a Number": New Patient-Led Tool Launched at Parliament House in Canberra to Transform Pain Communication
10 March 2026
MPaCT empowers people living with chronic pain to communicate impact, priorities and function - not just a score
A powerful new patient-led communication tool designed to transform how chronic pain is understood and treated was launched at Parliament House during today's Parliamentary Friends of Pain Management event.
The event brought together patient leaders, clinicians, advocates and policymakers to discuss the future of pain communication in Australia and the urgent need for reform.
The My Pain Assessment Communication Tool (MPaCT), developed by patients for patients, was formally introduced in collaboration with Painaustralia and Dragon Claw Charity, which is currently evolving into MyFlareUp.
Pathways App & Handbook
January 2026
Living with chronic pain can be overwhelming, and finding the right support isn’t always easy. The Pathways app brings trusted pain education, practical tools, and care pathways together in one simple, accessible place. Developed by Pain Education and Management, Painaustralia is proud to join with and support this app that has been designed to help people with chronic pain better understand their condition and take meaningful steps towards improved day-to-day living.
For more information and to download the app, click here.
Through the Pathways app, consumers can access an evidence-based, 11-module pain management program that covers topics such as understanding pain, medication, movement, sleep, nutrition and reconditioning the body. The app can be used independently or alongside your GP or allied health professional, supporting a multidisciplinary approach to pain care. Everyone can access free learning modules, with further support available through GP referral at no out-of-pocket cost.
More than just education, the Pathways app also helps connect people to services, clinician-led consultations, case reviews, and ongoing support. It recognises that no two pain journeys are the same and provides clear options to help consumers who live in chronic pain to find the right pathway to live better. If you’re looking for practical guidance, credible information and a sense of direction, the Pathways app is a valuable place to start.
To help you navigate the app and access the services you need, Painaustralia has developed a step-by-step handbook to guide you in its use and get you started on your journey to manage and live better with your pain.
For more information and to download the handbook, click here.
The Hidden Epidemic: Living with Chronic Pain | Health in Focus
November 2025
Chronic pain is more than just a problem - it’s a hidden epidemic.
For millions of Australians, chronic pain isn’t a temporary setback. It’s a daily reality that affects their ability to work, connect with loved ones, sleep, and simply enjoy life.
From tackling stigma and improving communication with doctors to developing innovative tools like the MyPain Assessment and Communication Tool, Painaustralia CEO Monika shares how advocacy, education, and empathy can help people find better care and understanding.
Special mix of treatment could finally bring relief to Aussies suffering chronic pain
November 2025
Temporomandibular joint pain affects the jaw, temples, face, and ears, and can cause severe headaches and difficulty talking and chewing.
Like many patients who live in chronic pain, our consumer advisory group member Amie Rule has turned to a range of treatments to manage her chronic jaw pain.
See her featured along with our CEO, Monika Boogs, in this National 7 news story.
Shingles Awareness - The Hidden Health Baggage
October 2025
Our CEO Monika Boogs was invited to join Australian TV star and comedian Julia Morris to raise awareness about the devasting impact of shingles and the long-lasting pain so many patients can experience.
The Hidden Health Baggage campaign in Sydney Harbour on 14th October highlighted that 97 per cent of Australians over 40 already carrying the virus that causes shingles from a previous chickenpox infection.
Too often, shingles is thought of as “just a rash’ when in reality, it can be painful and debilitating.
Beyond the visible symptoms, it can disrupt sleep, mood, work, and daily activities and potentially affect quality of live. For some people, it can also lead to long-term issues including chronic nerve pain.
A Painaustralia survey asking consumers about shingles and its impact found that out of 2000 respondents, 92 per cent experienced nerve pain.
Nearly half said their pain lasted more than a year. And 53 per cent said shingles affected their ability to work and were forced to reduce their hours or retire early.
One of the key messages of the campaign is to please talk to your health professional about how you can protect yourself against shingles.
Shingles Survey Report
February 2025
A new Painaustralia report, It’s Not Just a Rash, released today ahead of Shingles Awareness Week (February 24 – March 2), reveals the alarming toll shingles takes on individuals and their families including financial hardship, long-term pain and health complications. The report, based on insights from over 100 Australians affected by shingles, underscores the need for broader access to the shingles vaccine.
Download the report here.
Our Latest Media Release
Palliative Care Australia and Painaustralia advance national conversation on pain management at end of life
04 November 2025
Palliative Care Australia in partnership with Painaustralia
Palliative Care Australia (PCA) and Painaustralia (PA) have joined forces at Parliament House today to emphasise the urgent need for timely pain assessment and management, and to ensure continued access to essential pain relief medicines for people receiving palliative care.
The event, hosted by the Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care, brought together policymakers, clinicians, and advocates who want to advance compassionate, evidence-based care for all Australians. Painaustralia showcased a new My Pain assessment Communication Tool (MPaCT) in development, and Palliative Care Australia’s Strategic Plan 2026–2029 was launched at the event, highlighting national efforts to improve the experience of people living with pain and those receiving palliative care.
Painaustralia CEO Monika Boogs said effective pain management is fundamental to maintaining dignity and quality of life for people receiving palliative care.
“Whether someone is living with chronic pain or nearing the end of life, pain management is fundamental to dignity and quality of care. Yet we know that pain can be incredibly difficult to describe or measure, especially for people in palliative care, older Australians, people who are non-verbal or anyone whose voice may not always be heard. Recognising and responding to pain with empathy and evidence-based care is one of the most powerful things we can do to improve quality of life,” Ms Boogs said.
“That’s why patients, working in partnership with Painaustralia and Dragon Claw Charity, developed MPaCT, an innovative resource to help them express what their pain feels like, how it affects their daily lives and help them receive the support they need,” she said.
Resolving shortages of critical palliative care medicines has been high on the health sector’s agenda and in November 2024 PCA, PA and five other organisations released an 11-point plan to resolve shortages of palliative care medicines. PCA CEO Camilla Rowland said that quality pain management is fundamental to the quality of life of people receiving palliative care, but that access to medicines is an ongoing challenge.
“PCA congratulates the Government on passing legislation to lower patient out-of-pocket costs for medicines on the PBS. We encourage the Government to go further by making medicines prescribed for palliative care, free to consumers. The last months and weeks of life are when healthcare costs really add up.
“The 11-point plan has more ideas to ensure every Australian can receive timely, compassionate care and relief from pain at the end of life,” Ms Rowland said.
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Notes to Editors
This was the first Palliative Care Parliamentary Friends event under its new co-convenors, Senator Kerrynne Liddle and Senator Raff Ciccone.
Palliative Care Australia and Painaustralia acknowledge and thank the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia for sponsoring the Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care event and for its ongoing commitment to improving access to quality medicines and pain management across all stages of life.
Learn more about Painaustralia here: https://www.painaustralia.org.au/
Read more about the 11-point plan to resolve shortages of palliative care medicines here: https://palliativecare.org.au/statement/11-point-plan-to-resolve-shortages-of-palliative-care-medicines/
Palliative Care Australia's Strategic Plan 2026–2029, launched at the event, sets out a clear national vision to ensure that every Australian can access high-quality, person-centred palliative care when and where it is needed.
A full recording of the Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care event is available on PCA's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/MDDQ0iYEFIc?si=_TAx7C4sldivJh6h
Palliative Care Australia is the national peak body for palliative care.
Painaustralia is the national peak pain advocacy body dedicated to improving the well-being of people living with pain, their families and carers.
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