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.
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 an disrupt sleep, mood, work and daily activities and potentially affect quality of live. For some people, it dan also lead to long-term issues including chronic nerve pain. Our survey asking consumers about the impact of shingles found that out of the 2000 respondents found that 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.
Please talk to your health professional about how you can protect yourself against shingles” – Monika Boogs.
Health Hub Industry Awards
October 2025
Painaustralia was honoured to be named a finalist in the Health Hub Industry Awards in the Advocacy Champion category.
Our CEO Monika Boogs was nominated for a podcast with Joyce McSwan from PainWise and Health Industry Hub’s Rozalina Sarkezians where they discussed the barriers for patients to effectively manage, downscheduling of pain medicines and the key clinical trends that will drive transformations in pain management over the next five years.
Painaustralia would like to thank Health Industry Hub for highlighting the issues and challenges faced by the many millions of Australians who live with persistent and chronic pain.
Thank you!!
September 2025
Thank you to everyone who got involved in Wear it Red for Pain!
Special thanks to our sponsors Panadol and the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and to all of those who took part: The Pharmacy Guild ACT and NSW Branch, Massage and Myotherapy, Simon Blacker, Monique MacKrill, Saluda, Montu, Nevro, LivCor Australia, Queanbeyan Pharmacy, Lanyon Pharmacy, Quorn Pharmacy, TerryWhite Chemmart Paragon, North Hobart Pharmacy, Coober Pedy Pharmacy, Aussie Care Hub Midnight Pharmacy, TerryWhite Chemmart Cumberland Park, and everyone else who participated and shared their experiences. See the wrap up here.
Media Release
24 September 2025
Painaustralia supports TGA statement on safe use of paracetamol in pregnancy
Painaustralia welcomes and supports the statement from Australia’s Chief Medical Officer and the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regarding the safe use of paracetamol in pregnancy.
The TGA has confirmed that robust scientific evidence shows no causal link between paracetamol use in pregnancy and the development of autism or ADHD in children. Paracetamol remains the recommended treatment option for fever or pain in pregnancy when used as directed, as untreated pain and fever themselves may pose risks to mother and baby.
2024 Annual Report
June 2025
We are proud to share Painaustralia’s 2024 Annual Report, highlighting a year of renewal, advocacy and impact.
From driving national conversations on pain policy, launching new tools like the Opioid Safety Toolkit and Kaha App, to celebrating excellence through our inaugural Pinnacle Awards - this year’s report captures our continued commitment to amplifying the voices of people living with pain.
Read the full report here and see how we are working to create a more supportive and equitable health system for the 3.7 million Australians affected by chronic pain.
The House of Wellness
June 2025
Raising awareness and understanding of chronic pain in our community is one of the ways we can address the associated stigma. Our CEO Monika Boogs chatted to Sarah Maree Cameron and Gerald Quigley about chronic pain on the House of Wellness radio program aired around the country last Sunday. Listen here.
Greens adopt policy to double allied health visits.
February 2025
Painaustralia would like to thank the Federal Greens party who have adopted our policy to double allied health sessions for pain management from 5 to 10. Painaustralia has advocated for this change for the last couple of years. It is pleasing to see the Greens acknowledge the needs of Australians living with chronic pain. To see the Greens' commitment visit here.
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
No One Should Face Pain Alone: Wear it Red for Pain on 19 September
18 September 2025
No One Should Face Pain Alone: Wear it Red for Pain on 19 September
This 19 September, Painaustralia invites Australians to join Wear it Red for Pain as part of International Pain Awareness Month. With chronic pain affecting around 3.6 million Australians, this national initiative aims to raise awareness, break down stigma, and make sure people living with pain feel seen, heard, and supported.
Pharmacies across the country will also be participating by wearing red, displaying campaign resources, and helping to start important conversations about the reality of living with chronic pain.
Painaustralia CEO Monika Boogs said that chronic pain is often invisible, yet its impacts are real: emotional, social, and economic. “One in five Australian adults live with pain, that could be your neighbour, a family member, someone on the bus or train sitting next to you or a colleague at work.
“The invisibility of chronic pain means too many people feel misunderstood, dismissed, or afraid to speak up in case they are seen as weak or complaining. Wear it Red for Pain is about showing people living with pain that they are not alone, that their experiences are real, and that there is support available.”
As our Consumer Advisory Group member Amie explains “Pain is not just physical – it impacts every aspect of our life, from how we manage our pain, how we treat our pain, our social dynamics, our mental health, our emotional health. You are not alone. You are not a failure. You aren’t weak. Please don’t feel disheartened, don’t sit in guilt and shame; it has no place. Seek guidance and support. Don’t do it alone.”
By wearing red and demonstrating support, we can make pain visible and ensure that every person living with pain feels believed, understood, and able to seek help from their health professionals.
“Making pain visible is a vital step toward changing attitudes, improving care, and ensuring government policy reflects the lived experience of those affected,” Ms Boogs said.
Wear it Red for Pain details:
- When: Friday, 19 September 2025
- What: Wear red to show support for Australians living with chronic pain
- Where: Nationwide – including participating pharmacies
- More information: https://www.painaustralia.org.au/wr4p
Key Documents>>
Stay informed
Keep up-to-date with the latest news about pain and from Painaustralia by signing up to our e-newsletter.