New Report Uncovers Alarming Lack of Research Funding into Our Leading Cause of Disability and Pain

A new Research Australia report released today by Arthritis Australia confirms one of our leading causes of disability and pain – arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions (including back pain) – remains significantly deprived of research funding, despite costing the health system a staggering $16 billion a year.[1]

Arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions (AMSK) affect almost one in three Australians[2], from young children to people of working age through to retirees,[2] but are starved of research funding to advance how we manage them effectively – receiving just 5% of MRFF funding and 1.6% of National Health & Medical Research (NHMRC) funding in 2023-24.[1]

AMSK are a leading cause of chronic pain and early retirement and are one of the top three contributors to Australia’s disease burden (13%) alongside cancer (16.4%) and mental health (14.8%).[1]  They generate a significant financial and productivity drain with $1.1 billion per year to be spent on extra welfare payments and lost tax revenue and $9.4 billion per year on lost GDP due to arthritis related early retirement by 2030.[2]

The analysis by Research Australia, comparing different research funding models, confirms a focussed MRFF Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Mission, over the next decade, will not only yield significant gains to the community living with these debilitating conditions but also generate a twofold reduction in the health system and productivity burden.[1] A net return of $361 million would also result for the economy, and over 600 research and clinical jobs would be created over the period.

In light of the alarming findings, Arthritis Australia is calling for an MRFF Mission commitment of at least $100 million to ensure arthritis and musculoskeletal (AMSK) conditions no longer limit Australian’s participation, productivity or quality of life.

“We have reached a crisis point with arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions and the unprecedented strain they place on communities, hospitals and health budgets. We need to move urgently to give them the attention they deserve and finally address the long-term research underfunding,” states Louise Hardy, CEO Arthritis Australia.

“We have a fragmented, underfunded approach to arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions that’s driving low value care and leaving major gaps in prevention, diagnosis and service delivery,” she adds. “We need to act now and fund a dedicated AMSK research and implementation strategy that is focussed on the huge unmet community need and makes a cost-effective contribution to addressing the escalating burden.”

Disease Area Burden versus Research Funding Commitment:[1]

The Research Australia report outlines three critical areas for a dedicated research strategy:-

• For Consumers and Communities: Tackle health inequalities by embedding consumer partnerships, reducing pain and disability, and enabling economic and social participation.
• For the Healthcare System: Drive evidence-based care by containing the unsustainable growth of surgeries, supporting a sustainable workforce, and securing the research pipeline for new advances.
• For Australia’s Future: As a global leader in AMSK research, the goal will be to reduce overall disease burden, drive evidence informed policy and boost economic

“There is a stark disconnect between the escalating burden of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions in this country and our efforts to address them through sustainable research funding,” states Dr David Liew, Medical Director, Arthritis Australia. “Our sector has a strong track record of developing and implementing strategies to reduce health system costs and is putting cures in reach through world leading immunology research. But the crucial early-to mid-career researcher workforce is being starved of funding, with many talented researchers forced to leave the field.”

“We have a vital opportunity to transform the lives of millions of Australians, reduce the strain on our healthcare system, and build greater productivity,” adds Louise Hardy. “We urge the Australian Government to align its research investment with the health and economic burden of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal conditions by supporting and funding a critical MRFF Mission.” 

The proposed Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Medical Research Future Fund Mission Objectives include:

• Enhancing foundational research infrastructure
• Supporting a skilled workforce for AMSK research and care
• Fostering innovation for transformative AMSK health solutions
• Establishing excellence and addressing priority needs in AMSK health

About Arthritis Australia

Arthritis Australia is the peak national body for arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions, advocating on behalf of 7 million Australians living with arthritis, and working with state and territory arthritis organisations to deliver information and support to people living with more than 100 types of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. We are the leading non-government funder of arthritis research in Australia and advocate for policies, programs and funding initiatives that will improve the health and wellbeing of people living with arthritis. For more information visit: arthritisaustralia.com.au

Issued by Cube on behalf of Arthritis Australia.

For more information, please contact: Anne-Marie Sparrow on 0417 421 560.

 References
[1] Research Australia. Evaluation of Preferred Investment Models for Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Research. November 2025. Available at: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/programs-research/advocacy-policy/reports/ Accessed: March 2026.
[2] Arthritis Australia. Federal Election Platform 2025. Available at: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Arthritis-Aus-Election-Platform-25.pdf. Accessed: March 2026.