MS Australia
MS Australia is the national peak body for multiple sclerosis, serving 37,756 Australians living with MS through research funding, advocacy, education, and support resources funded by donations, fundraising, and grants.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1972
- HeadquartersNorth Sydney, Australia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What MS Australia does
MS Australia (legal name: Multiple Sclerosis Australia; ABN 51 008 515 508) is the Australian national peak body for multiple sclerosis, founded in 1972 and headquartered in Summer Hill, NSW. It serves the country's 37,756 people living with MS — a population that has grown 13.3% in three years and 77.4% since 2010 — together with their families, carers, clinicians, and researchers. Its core portfolio combines a comprehensive website (msaustralia.org.au), the 'What is MS?' educational video, the 'Living Well with MS' lifestyle guide (launched May 2025), the 'Back on Track' MS Nurse-led audio and video series (May 2026), The Raw Nerve podcast, the Lived Experience Expert Panel (LEEP), an online grant portal (grants.msaustralia.org.au), the MS Clinical Trials Platform (mstrials.org.au), the MS Australia Brain Bank, and the annual MS Australia Awards. Underpinning these resources are research infrastructure including the Australian MS Longitudinal Study, Ausimmune Study, PrevANZ vitamin D prevention trial, and ANZgene, alongside national advocacy on NDIS, PBS, and Aged Care policy.
MS Australia operates as a registered charity and does not sell commercial products or services; revenue is generated through individual donations (tax-deductible), major fundraising campaigns such as May 50K and Kiss Goodbye to MS, corporate partnerships, and government and research grants (MRFF, NHMRC). Distribution is delivered through state/territory member organisations (e.g., MS Plus in NSW, MS Queensland), a national contact line (1300 010 158), events, and a multi-channel digital presence. The organisation is governed by a Board led by Chair George Pampacos, with CEO Rohan Greenland, President (Associate Professor) Des Graham, and Head of Research Julia Morahan, and is internationally networked as a founding member of the International Progressive MS Alliance, a leading voice in the MS International Federation, and — as of 2026 — a co-leader of the Global MS Prevention Initiative with MS Canada (AUD 2.5m / 5yr) and a founding signatory of the Nice Declaration alongside MS Society UK, the US National MS Society, and the Italian MS Society.
The business model is community-led: the go-to-market motion relies on awareness and fundraising campaigns, content marketing, lived-experience advocacy, and policy engagement rather than paid acquisition. Competitive advantage rests on the organisation's 50+ year operating history, the Governor-General's patronage, its position as the structural convener of the Australian MS ecosystem, and proprietary research assets (Brain Bank, longitudinal study, clinical trial portfolio). Strategic posture in 2025–2026 is shifting from a domestically focused research-and-advocacy charity toward an internationally leading voice on MS prevention, while simultaneously scaling patient-facing digital and nurse-led resources to close well-documented access gaps in MS specialist nursing and credible lifestyle information.
MS Australia firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MS Australia
- Legal name
- Multiple Sclerosis Australia
- Website
- https://msaustralia.org.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1972
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- MS Australia is the national peak body for multiple sclerosis, serving 37,756 Australians living with MS through research funding, advocacy, education, and support resources funded by donations, fundraising, and grants.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MS Australia industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Nonprofit health advocacy and MS research funding
- NAICS
- Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Individual and Family Services (6241)
- SIC
- Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)
Keywords
Where MS Australia is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- North Sydney
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
MS Australia business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and fundraising: MS Australia raises funds through donations, fundraising campaigns (e.g., May 50K), and corporate involvement programs. Donations to MS Australia are tax-deductible charitable contributions.
- Grants and government funding: As a nonprofit, MS Australia receives grant funding for research (including MRFF, NHMRC) and may receive government support for advocacy and awareness activities.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels10 records
MS Australia product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MS Australia is a registered nonprofit charitable organisation that funds multiple sclerosis research, advocates on MS-related health and disability policy, and provides free educational resources, support services, and community programs for Australians living with MS. Its portfolio includes digital guides (Living Well with MS), nurse-led support resources (Back on Track), a clinical trials platform, a brain bank, a research grants portal, and a podcast, all delivered alongside state/territory MS member organisations.
Product overview
MS Australia is a research and advocacy organization for Australians living with multiple sclerosis, offering a unified portfolio of digital resources, educational materials, and support services. The core offering includes the comprehensive website with symptom information and support resources, complemented by specialized guides such as the 'Living Well with MS' wellness guides, the 'Back on Track' nurse-led video/audio series, and 'What is MS?' educational video. Additional offerings include 'The Raw Nerve' podcast, MS Clinical Trials Platform, MS Australia Brain Bank, Online Grant Portal for researchers, the Lived Experience Expert Panel (LEEP) advisory program, MS Australia Awards, and various symptom-specific resources. The organization also produces advocacy publications and submissions on NDIS and healthcare policy.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MS Plus: Wellbeing resource center
- Back on Track
Products and services
- What is MS? Video Educational video resource explaining the causes, different types, and common symptoms of multiple sclerosis, designed for the general public and people newly diagnosed with MS.
- Living Well with MS Guide Evidence-based wellness guide for people with MS (with a companion guide for health professionals) covering 11 modifiable lifestyle factors including physical activity, nutrition, sleep, vitamin D, and stress management.
- Back on Track MS Nurse-led video and audio series developed by expert MS Nurses to support Australians living with MS, addressing the gap in specialist MS nurse access.
- The Raw Nerve Podcast Official MS Australia podcast featuring MS research, treatments, advocacy, and interviews with the MS community, clinicians, researchers, and advocates; available on Spotify and the website.
- MS Clinical Trials Platform Australian MS Clinical Trials Platform providing information about MS clinical trials including PLATYPUS, STOP-MS, and FIRMS-EBV studies for people with MS to participate in research.
- MS Australia Brain Bank Research resource providing brain tissue samples for MS research purposes.
- Online Grant Portal Online portal for researchers to access MS research funding opportunities and manage grant applications.
- Lived Experience Expert Panel (LEEP) Expert panel of people living with MS that enhances MS Australia's advocacy agenda through evidence and advice, informing governance, research, policy, advocacy, education, and awareness.
- MS Australia Awards Annual awards program recognising contributions to the MS community, with the 2025 awards announced for researchers whose projects fast-track translation of research into real benefits for people living with MS.
- MS Symptom Resources Comprehensive information resources covering MS symptoms including bladder and bowel issues, visual disturbances, fatigue, pain, spasticity, and other common MS symptoms with management strategies.
Quantifiable outcome
- 37,756 Australians living with MS served by the organization
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MS Australia
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles4 records
MS Australia technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
MS Australia partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.
- MS CanadaflagshipMS Australia and MS Canada are collaboratively leading the Global MS Prevention Initiative (GMSPI), representing a pivotal step toward a coordinated global strategy. MS Canada is contributing $5m and MS Australia a further $2.5m over five years to support this global initiative. Together they work with international collaborators and the Global MS Research Strategy Group.
- MS Nurses AustralasiacoreMS Australia and MS Nurses Australasia jointly developed 'Back on Track', an MS Nurse-led video and audio resource designed to support Australians living with MS. The resource draws on 140 years of combined MS nursing experience. Meaghan Osborne, President of MS Nurses Australasia, spoke at the launch event.
- MS PluscoreMS Plus (NSW) partnered with MS Australia for the launch of the Back on Track resource at its Wellbeing Centre in Lidcombe, NSW. MS Plus is a key state member organisation providing services to people with MS in NSW.
- MS International Federation (MSIF)coreMS Australia is a leading voice in the MS International Federation (MSIF), collaborating on global MS prevention initiatives including signing the Nice Declaration.
- International Progressive MS AlliancecoreMS Australia is a founding member of the International Progressive MS Alliance, contributing to the global effort to stop MS, restore function, repair damage, and end MS through prevention.
- MS Society UKcoreMS Society UK is a founding signatory of the Nice Declaration alongside MS Australia, committing to advance MS prevention as a global priority.
- National MS Society (US)coreNational MS Society (US) is a founding signatory of the Nice Declaration alongside MS Australia, committing to advance MS prevention as a global priority.
- Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (Italian MS Society)coreThe Italian MS Society is a founding signatory of the Nice Declaration alongside MS Australia, committing to advance MS prevention as a global priority.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MS Australia competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- International Progressive MS Alliance: Global research funding alliance for progressive MS, of which MS Australia is a founding member. Focused specifically on the progressive MS research agenda, complementary to MS Australia's national scope.
- Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (MSRA): Australia-focused MS research grantmaking organization. Overlaps with MS Australia on research funding priorities within the same Australian market, though more narrowly focused on research grants rather than full peak-body functions.
Direct peers
- Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (AISM): Italy's national MS society, a founding signatory of the Nice Declaration alongside MS Australia. Operates research funding, advocacy, and service delivery models comparable to MS Australia's.
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society (US): The largest national MS nonprofit globally, also serving as the US peak body for MS research funding, advocacy, and community support. Co-signatory of the Nice Declaration with MS Australia and a direct collaborator on global MS prevention.
- MS Society UK: UK national peak body for MS research, advocacy, and community support. Co-founding signatory of the Nice Declaration with MS Australia, working jointly on the Global MS Prevention Initiative.
- MS Canada (Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada): Canada's national MS research and advocacy organization. Co-leads the Global MS Prevention Initiative with MS Australia (committing $5M vs MS Australia's $2.5M), making it MS Australia's closest operational peer in mission and structure.
- MS International Federation (MSIF): Global umbrella organization connecting MS societies worldwide. MS Australia is a leading member of MSIF, collaborating on the Nice Declaration and global prevention initiatives.
Broad incumbents
- Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (US): US-based MS service organization providing programs, support, and education for people with MS. Comparable mission of direct community service delivery, though focused on a different national market.
Regional players
- Multiple Sclerosis Trust (UK): UK charity producing MS information resources and supporting MS specialist nurses. Comparable educational resource mission to MS Australia's Living Well with MS and Back on Track programs, but UK-focused.
Others
- Kiss Goodbye to MS: International MS awareness and fundraising campaign that MS Australia co-leads globally. A peer collaboration/co-leadership relationship rather than a direct competitor, but shares mission and donor base.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MS Australia social profiles
Digital presenceMS Australia compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
MS Australia financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MS Australia leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
MS Australia funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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MS Australia M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MS Australia
What does MS Australia do?
MS Australia is a registered nonprofit charitable organisation that funds multiple sclerosis research, advocates on MS-related health and disability policy, and provides free educational resources, support services, and community programs for Australians living with MS. Its portfolio includes digital guides (Living Well with MS), nurse-led support resources (Back on Track), a clinical trials platform, a brain bank, a research grants portal, and a podcast, all delivered alongside state/territory MS member organisations.
Is MS Australia a public or private company?
MS Australia is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was MS Australia founded?
MS Australia was founded in 1972. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is MS Australia based?
MS Australia is headquartered in North Sydney, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does MS Australia make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and fundraising is the primary driver. The others are grants and government funding.
Who are MS Australia's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are International Progressive MS Alliance and Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (MSRA). Direct peers are Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla (AISM), National Multiple Sclerosis Society (US), MS Society UK, MS Canada (Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada) and MS International Federation (MSIF). Multiple Sclerosis Foundation (US) is listed as a broad incumbent. Multiple Sclerosis Trust (UK) is listed as a regional player. Kiss Goodbye to MS is listed as an others.
Does MS Australia have an API?
No public API is recorded for MS Australia.
What industry is MS Australia in?
MS Australia's product category is Nonprofit health advocacy and MS research funding. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAEAH, Mental Health & Crisis Support Services. Its NAICS code is 813212 and its SIC code is 8300.