More than 3.6 million Australians
live with chronic pain
Join us in driving change
in chronic pain
7 IN 10
Australian's
feel ignored
when it comes
to their chronic pain
National Pain Week 2025
Pain Takes A Nation
21–27 July 2025
This National Pain Week, we amplify the voices of the pain community.
Under the theme Pain Takes A Nation, we lay bare the widespread personal, economic, and social impacts of chronic pain — and call for urgent national action.
Each day of the week spotlights the lived realities of pain: how it takes opportunity, takes productivity, takes time, and takes families to the brink — and how, together, we can begin to take it back.
It’s time to make pain a national health priority.
NATIONAL PAIN WEEK
EVENTS PROGRAMME
Pain Takes A Nation: The State of Pain
Monday, 21 July
10 – 11am AEST
Join us live as Chronic Pain Australia launches the 2025 National Pain Report — the most extensive snapshot of chronic pain lived experience in Australia.
For thousands of Australians, this is more than a survey. It’s their truth. Their stories. Their reality. And it’s a call for policymakers to listen — and act.
With over 4,500 voices captured, the report reveals a system in crisis — but also a community united in resilience, hope, and a drive for change.
This event marks the start of a national week of action. It begins where it should — with the people who live with pain every day.
We’re handing over the mic, inviting the broader pain sector to truly listen and respond. Because lived experience must lead the way.
This event is made possible through the generous support of our lead sponsor, Haleon. Guided by their commitment to “health with humanity,” Haleon plays a vital role in amplifying the voice of lived experience and supporting a future where that voice leads change.
Pain Takes Sleep: Poor Sleep Sensitises the Brain to Pain
Tuesday, 22 July
12 – 1pm AEST
Sleep is not rest time for the brain. Brain activity is heightened by maintenance processes – including ‘washing out’ its battered pain pathways.
Having a sleep disorder (such as insomnia or obstructive sleep apnoea) that impairs this proceses, makes the brain more sensitive to pain, and is a risk factor for the development of chronic pain.
Research shows that identifying and treating sleep disorders can reduce pain for chronic pain sufferers.
We’ll reveal new insights from the National Pain Survey 2025, exploring the correlation between poor sleep and worsened pain and disability.
We’ll introduce a new care model and research from SD Laboratories — designed with and for people living with pain — whereby physiotherapists have been trained to address sleep quality issues and customise patient bed support as a powerful new intervention to reduce pain.
Additional content will be available for healthcare professionals, offering a deeper look at SD Labs’ clinical innovation and approach.
Pain Takes Options: Medicinal Cannabis, Research, Regulation and the Patient Voice
Wednesday, 23 July
12 – 1pm AEST
For many in the pain community, medicinal cannabis is a topic of interest, yet clouded by mixed messages and uncertainty. While legally available in Australia since 2016, it remains an unapproved medicine for chronic pain, with peak bodies continuing to call for more robust clinical evidence.
At the same time, people with lived experience often describe meaningful benefits — alongside significant barriers such as stigma, legal grey areas, access issues, and high personal costs.
As one tool among many, medicinal cannabis as a clinical option raises important questions about choice, safety, evidence, and equity.
This session explores the heart of that complexity. It seeks to bring clarity to a space where science, policy, and lived experience don’t always align, offering an open, respectful conversation grounded in what matters most to the community.
You’ll hear directly from people navigating this path, and learn how to contribute to emerging research — including the Lumir Mission, a national initiative working to build real-world evidence on medicinal cannabis and chronic pain.
Pain Takes Action: Bringing the Report to Parliament
Thursday, 24 July
11am – 12pm AEST
Chronic Pain Australia is taking your voices to Canberra.
On this day, we present the National Pain Report 2025 to Parliament House — urging the Government to recognise chronic pain as a National Health Priority.
This is more than a political milestone. It’s a direct message from the community:
Recognise Us. Include Us. Support Us.
Follow our social channels throughout the day for updates and insights as we also launch Chronic Pain Australia’s lived experience-led White Paper — a national plan for action shaped by the people most affected.
Pain Takes Opportunity: Legal and Financial Pathways when Pain Impacts Employment
Friday, 25 July
12 – 1pm AEST
Chronic pain doesn’t just affect health — it can take away careers, confidence, and financial independence.
One in two people living with chronic pain leave or change their work. Many are left without a safety net, navigating complex decisions around employment, income protection, and superannuation.
In this session, Maurice Blackburn lawyers join us to unpack the legal and financial systems that so often fail people living with pain. We’ll explore your rights at work, access to compensation or insurance, and what support is available — including options many aren’t aware of.
This National Pain Week
we amplify the voices of the pain community.
This week at Parliament House we launched our White Paper and call on the Australian Government to recognise chronic pain as a National Health Priority.
It’s time pain was counted, funded, and taken seriously.
A huge thank you to all of Chronic Pain Australia’s lived experience members who helped shape this White Paper — ensuring it’s grounded in the real priorities and vision of our community for a pain-healthy Australia.
WATCH NOW
Pain Takes Opportunity
"Legal and Financial Pathways when Pain Impacts Employment"
made possible with the
support of our generous partners
Across the week, we honour the courage of those living with chronic pain, elevate your voices, and push for systems that serve people
Be informed. Be heard. Be part of change.
Be informed. Be heard. Be part of change.
Connect with fellow painchangers
Download our resources below
- Members and Community Digital Toolkit
This toolkit introduces Chronic Pain Australia, explains National Pain Week, and provides promotional assets and social copy to raise awareness of the National Pain Survey and encourage people to participate
- Members and Community Digital Toolkit
You can download all National Pain Week assets below. These assets include an A4 poster, social media banners, and a selection of social media tiles, with suggested social copy.
- 2025 National Pain Report
Click below to download the full media release and learn more about The National Pain Week
SAVE THE DATE!
National Pain Week 2025 is Australia’s annual awareness event for chronic pain.
National Pain Week takes place in the last week of July each year. This year mark your calendars for Monday 21 July – Sunday 27 July.
During National Pain Week, Chronic Pain Australia draws the attention of the nation to the experience of people living with chronic pain, reducing the isolation and stigma.