Parkinson's Australia

What Parkinson's Australia does

Parkinson's Australia is the national advocacy and peak-body organization for the Parkinson's community in Australia, registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and headquartered in Deakin, ACT. It serves as the unified national voice for an estimated 150,000+ Australians living with Parkinson's, their families and carers, researchers, and health professionals, and coordinates a federation of six independent state-based Parkinson's organizations across the country. Core operational offerings include a comprehensive online Information Hub (covering symptoms, medications, living well, atypical Parkinson's, and care team resources), the Young Onset Parkinson's eXchange (YOPX) app and website that streamlines NDIS applications for the under-65 cohort, the Parkinson's Exchange podcast, a YouTube channel, monthly email newsletters, and the biennial Parkinson's Australia National Conference (PANC25 in Canberra April 2025, PANC27 scheduled for Sydney May 2027). The national infoline 1800 644 189 connects callers with state/territory support organizations.

The organization is funded primarily through donations and community fundraising — including EOFY campaigns, the Walk in the Park and Walk to Fight Parkinson's events, and donations via the Givenow platform — supplemented by conference ticket sales through Humanitix. All information, support, and advocacy services are provided free of charge to beneficiaries; there is no SaaS platform or fee-based product offering. Revenue is not disclosed in source materials. The organization maintains an extensive partnership ecosystem of 35+ formal alliances spanning healthcare peak bodies (AHHA, MDSA), research institutions (Garvan Institute, Australian Parkinson's Mission), allied health professional associations (Speech Pathology Australia, ESSA, Dietitians Australia), pharmaceutical industry bodies (Medicines Australia), international Parkinson's organizations (Parkinson's Foundation USA, Parkinson's Europe, Parkinson's New Zealand, World Parkinson's Coalition, PD Avengers), and government programs (NDIS, Health Direct Australia as a Trusted Information Partner).

Active advocacy and policy engagement forms a central pillar of the organization's role, with current campaigns including the #BanParaquat petition (20,000+ signatures) calling on APVMA to ban the Parkinson's-linked herbicide, NDIS reform submissions, and a Senate Inquiry submission into Support at Home aged-care reforms. Recent regulatory advocacy successes include the PBS listing of VYALEV (foslevodopa/foscarbidopa) in August 2025. The CEO is Olivia Nassaris; the Board is chaired by Professor George Mellick and includes directors with senior executive backgrounds across EY, Westpac, BCG, Oroton Group, Big W, Aruma, and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.

Name

Parkinson's Australia

Legal name

Parkinson's Australia

Website

https://parkinsons.org.au

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Parkinson's Australia is the national advocacy organization and unified voice for the 150,000+ Australians living with Parkinson's, their carers, researchers, and health professionals, delivering information resources, the YOPX app, conferences, and policy advocacy funded by donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Health Advocacy

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (624120), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Parkinson’s & Movement-Disorder Personal Care Support (HSABABAJ), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Health advocacy services
• Parkinson's disease support
• Nonprofit health organization
• Disease awareness campaigns
• Community health support

Headquarters

HQ city

Not specified

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and fundraising: Parkinson's Australia relies on donations from the public to fund national advocacy, awareness campaigns, and community connection programs. The organization runs EOFY campaigns, direct donation pages, and fundraises through events like Walk in the Park and Walk to Fight Parkinson's.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Parkinson's Australia is the national advocacy organisation for people living with Parkinson's in Australia, providing national advocacy, information resources, community connection, and awareness campaigns. Its core offerings include a comprehensive Information Hub, the Young Onset Parkinson's eXchange (YOPX) portal for NDIS support, a National Infoline (1800 644 189), biennial National Conferences, downloadable educational resources, and a podcast. All services are provided free to the community, funded by donations and fundraising.

Product overview

Parkinson's Australia operates as a national advocacy and information organization providing a unified platform of digital services and resources for Australians affected by Parkinson's disease. The core offering consists of the Information Hub (comprehensive educational content), the Young Onset Parkinson's eXchange (YOPX) app and website for NDIS support, the Parkinson's Exchange Podcast, and biennial national conferences (PANC). Additional services include a national infoline (1800 644 189), downloadable factsheets, newsletters, and YouTube content. The organization does not offer a SaaS platform or developer products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Young Onset Parkinson's eXchange (YOPX): World-first information portal and resource hub supporting people with young onset Parkinson's, their care partners, friends and family. Also streamlines NDIS applications for those 65 and under.
• PANC27
• I Am More Than My Parkinson's

Products and services

• Young Onset Parkinson's eXchange (YOPX) A world-first information portal and resource hub supporting people with young onset Parkinson's (diagnosed under 65), their care partners, friends and family. It streamlines NDIS applications for those 65 and under with handy questionnaires and check-ins that can be emailed to the user or care team.
• Information Hub Comprehensive online resource providing information based on latest research, practical tips, and support strategies covering About Parkinson's, Atypical Parkinson's, Glossary, Living Well, Medications & Treatments, Symptoms, Resources, and Care Team categories.
• National Infoline 1800 644 189 Free confidential telephone service connecting callers with state/territory Parkinson's support organisations. Staffed to direct enquiries to appropriate regional resources across Australia.
• Parkinson's Australia National Conference (PANC) Biennial national conference connecting people living with Parkinson's, carers, health professionals, specialists, and researchers. PANC25 held in Canberra April 2025; PANC27 scheduled for Sydney May 2027.
• The Parkinson's Exchange Podcast Podcast series by Parkinson's Australia providing updates, advocacy news, and discussions relevant to the Parkinson's community in Australia.
• Live Well with Parkinson's Booklet Downloadable PDF guide providing comprehensive information for newly diagnosed individuals on managing Parkinson's symptoms, building care teams, and accessing support services including NDIS, My Aged Care, and Carer Gateway.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 150,000 Australians living with Parkinson's served as the national voice
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

36 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Accessible Product Design Alliance (APDA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerParkinson's Australia participates in the Accessible Product Design Alliance, advocating for product design that enables independence for people with Parkinson's and other disabilities.
• Assistive Technologies for All (ATFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to promote assistive technologies that help people with Parkinson's maintain functioning related to cognition, communication, mobility, self-care and vision.
• Australasian Neuroscience Nurses Association (ANNA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with nursing professionals specializing in neuroscience to support education and care for people with Parkinson's.
• Australia New Zealand Academy of Special Needs Dentistry (ANZASND)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to address dental and oral health challenges faced by people with Parkinson's, which are common due to motor symptoms and medication side effects.
• Australia New Zealand Falls Prevention SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership addressing the increased fall risk for people with Parkinson's due to postural instability and gait difficulties.
• Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial workers play a crucial role in ensuring people with Parkinson's and their families receive comprehensive support, addressing both immediate and long-term needs.
• Australian Federation of Disability Organisations (AFDO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration representing and advocating for the rights of people with disabilities, including those with Parkinson's.
• Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to improve healthcare delivery and hospital care for people with Parkinson's across Australia.
• Australian Patient Advocacy Alliance (APAA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to strengthen patient advocacy efforts and protect the rights of people with Parkinson's.
• Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHFA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership representing health consumers to advocate for better healthcare policies and access for people with chronic conditions like Parkinson's.
• Continence Health AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration addressing bladder and bowel issues that are common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's, with continence specialists providing assessment and treatment support.
• Dietitians AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide nutrition guidance for people with Parkinson's, addressing how diet can affect medication absorption and symptom management.
• Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration promoting exercise as a key intervention for Parkinson's, with accredited exercise physiologists designing personalized exercise programs.
• Garvan Institute of Medical Research - Australian Parkinson's MissioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignificant research partnership contributing to the Australian Parkinson's Mission, working towards finding better treatments and ultimately a cure for Parkinson's.
• Global Alliance to End Parkinson's DiseasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational collaboration aligning with global efforts to end Parkinson's disease, participating in World Parkinson's Day and global advocacy initiatives.
• Health Direct AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParkinson's Australia is a Trusted Information Partner of Health Direct Australia, with health information funded by the Australian government and available through healthdirect.gov.au.
• Invisible Disabilities AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership advocating for people with invisible disabilities, recognizing that many Parkinson's symptoms are not immediately apparent.
• Medicines AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with pharmaceutical industry peak body to advocate for access to Parkinson's medications and treatments, including recent PBS listing of VYALEV.
• Movement Disorders Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey professional partnership with specialists diagnosing and treating movement disorders, supporting education and best practice care standards.
• My Moves MatterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Women's Parkinson's Project, addressing gender-specific aspects of Parkinson's including pregnancy, menstruation, and menopause.
• National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCritical partnership helping people with Parkinson's under 65 access NDIS funding for disability support services, equipment, and therapies.
• National Rural Health AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership addressing the challenges faced by people with Parkinson's in rural and remote Australia in accessing specialist care and support services.
• Neurological Alliance Australia (NAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMembership in the alliance of neurological organizations working together to advocate for better services and policies for Australians with neurological conditions.
• Neurodegenerative, Palliative Care and Rare Diseases Advisory Group (NPRAG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory partnership providing expertise on neurodegenerative conditions, palliative care needs, and rare disease considerations relevant to Parkinson's and Atypical Parkinsonism.
• Occupational Therapy Australia (OTAus)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership promoting occupational therapy services to help people with Parkinson's maintain independence in daily activities through adaptations and assistive devices.
• Palliative Care AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration to ensure people with Parkinson's have access to palliative care that addresses spiritual, physical, social and emotional aspects of living with a progressive condition.
• Parkinson's EuropecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership connecting with European Parkinson's organizations for shared learning, research collaboration, and global advocacy efforts.
• Parkinson's Foundation (USA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership with the US-based Parkinson's Foundation, sharing resources, research updates, and best practices for Parkinson's care.
• Parkinson's New ZealandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership with New Zealand's national Parkinson's organization for cross-Tasman collaboration, shared resources, and regional advocacy.
• Patient Voice InitiativeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership promoting meaningful patient involvement in healthcare decisions, aligning with Parkinson's Australia's person-centered approach.
• PD AvengersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal alliance of people with Parkinson's working together to raise awareness and advocate for change, with shared resources and campaigns.
• Pharmacy Guild AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with community pharmacies to support medication management for people with Parkinson's, including medication timing and interactions.
• Shake It Up Australia FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership supporting Parkinson's research funding and awareness initiatives in Australia, contributing to the broader research ecosystem.
• Sleep Health Foundation AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership addressing sleep disturbances common in Parkinson's, including RBD, RLS, and other sleep issues that significantly impact quality of life.
• Speech Pathology AustraliaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership promoting speech pathology services for people with Parkinson's who experience changes in speech volume, clarity, and swallowing abilities.
• World Parkinson's CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partnership participating in the World Parkinson's Coalition, connecting with global Parkinson's community and advancing shared advocacy goals.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Parkinson's UK: United Kingdom's national Parkinson's advocacy and research charity, operating a similar model of national awareness, research funding, information hub, and local support networks. It is the most structurally comparable peer to Parkinson's Australia.
• The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: The world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, driving clinical trials and patient-focused research. Offers a comparable disease-specific nonprofit lever for Parkinson's advocacy and research funding.
• Parkinson's Foundation (USA): US national Parkinson's organization with research funding, education, and community programs. Already a Core international partner of Parkinson's Australia, with very similar information-hub, helpline, and advocacy operating model.
• Parkinson's New Zealand: New Zealand's national Parkinson's organization and a Core partner of Parkinson's Australia. Operates a near-identical information, advocacy, and support model across the Tasman.

Emerging players

• Shake It Up Australia Foundation: Australian Parkinson's research-focused charity and Core partner of Parkinson's Australia. More narrowly focused on research funding than Parkinson's Australia, which is a broader advocacy voice.
• Motor Neurone Disease Australia: Australian nonprofit supporting people with MND and their families, with overlapping mission, advocacy campaigns, and information hub. Comparable disease-specific structure but smaller and less institutionalized.

Broad incumbents

• Parkinson's Europe: European umbrella Parkinson's advocacy organization. Comparable international advocacy and policy coordination role, with a broader multinational remit than Parkinson's Australia.
• Multiple Sclerosis Australia: National Australian MS advocacy nonprofit with similar information hub, advocacy, and care-coordination model. Demonstrates the disease-specific nonprofit model within the Australian neurological charitable sector.
• Dementia Australia: Australia's national dementia advocacy and support organization operating a near-identical nonprofit model (information hub, helpline, advocacy campaigns, federation). A useful structural and operational comparable within the Australian neurodegenerative nonprofit landscape.

Regional players

• Neurological Alliance Australia: Umbrella alliance of neurological condition organizations in Australia, of which Parkinson's Australia is a member. Provides a coordinated cross-condition advocacy platform relevant to national-level policy influence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ParkinsonsAus
• Facebookfacebook.com/1483521141970156
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/parkinsonsaus

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Parkinson's Australia