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New report reveals $3 billion annual cost of MS in Australia with prevalence continuing to rise
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is costing Australians more than $3 billion a year, and the number of people with MS is up 77% since 2010, according to a new report from the Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania. The report highlights the growing prevalence and economic burden of MS and calls for urgent action to reduce its impact and improve outcomes for people living with the disease.
Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence and Health Economic Impact in Australia 2025, commissioned by MS Australia, found that almost 38,000 Australians are now living with MS. Tasmania continues to have the highest prevalence in the country, with 190 cases per 100,000 people, nearly double the rate in Queensland and Western Australia.
The total cost to society, including healthcare, lost productivity and informal care, exceeds $3 billion, with the cost per person averaging $79,581.
Dr Julie Campbell, health economist at Menzies Institute for Medical Research and lead author of the report, said “MS is not just a health challenge, it’s also an economic one.
“For the first time, we’ve seen a slight decrease in inflation-adjusted average costs per person. This may reflect the impact of high-efficacy disease modifying therapies, particularly for people with relapsing remitting MS.
“But the overall economic burden of MS continues to climb as more Australians are diagnosed,” said Dr Campbell.
Costs also rise sharply with increasing disability: $42,688 for those with no disability compared to $135,780 for severe disability.
Professor Bruce Taylor, neurologist and academic lead of the MS Research Flagship at Menzies Institute for Medical Research, said “Our report shows that as disability increases, quality of life declines, individuals’ costs rise, and workforce participation drops. These effects are particularly pronounced for people living with progressive MS.
“Employment loss alone accounts for $846 million in costs annually,” Professor Taylor said.
The report findings draw on data from the Australian MS Longitudinal Study (AMSLS), a partnership between Menzies and MS Australia that has collected real-life data from people living with MS since 2002.
Professor Ingrid van der Mei, AMSLS managing director and epidemiologist at Menzies Institute for Medical Research, said “These insights come directly from thousands of Australians with lived experience of MS.
“Their experiences give us a clear picture of the physical, psychosocial and financial challenges faced by people with MS and what needs to change, culminating in the key recommendations that are outlined in the report,” Professor van der Mei said.
Professor Tracey Dickson, Director of Menzies Institute for Medical Research, said “Tasmania’s MS prevalence, almost twice that of some other states, is a stark reminder of why Menzies’ research matters.
“Our vision is to improve health and wellbeing of Tasmanians through world-class research. We strive to reduce the burden of diseases such as MS to our community, and these findings reinforce that commitment.”
ENDS
Further information
Why this matters:
MS is the most common acquired chronic neurological disease affecting young adults. It is typically diagnosed between ages 20–40, and can cause job loss, financial strain and reduced quality of life. Assessing the health economic impacts of MS is an ongoing endeavour, with each report contributing to a growing evidence base that informs advocacy, policy and service delivery. This latest report underlines the urgent need for investment in prevention, early intervention, and support services.
Key recommendations:
Multiple Sclerosis Prevalence and Health Economic Impact in Australia 2025 outlines seven recommendations to reduce MS prevalence, halt disability progression, and improve quality of life.
In summary:
- Fast-track approval of new treatments that halt MS progression and repair damage.
- Employ at least 65 additional MS nurses to ensure universal access to that specialised care.
- Empower people with MS to manage their disease and lead a brain-healthy lifestyle.
- Develop and implement readily accessible employment support programs to keep people with MS in the workforce.
- Improve NDIS processes to better meet the needs of people with MS.
- Fund research into MS prevention, including risk factors and early detection.
- Fund research focused on developing treatments promoting remyelination and neuroprotection to restore function and move closer to a cure.
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