NDIS to slash fees for key health workers to curb costs
Key National Disability Insurance Scheme health workers such as physiotherapists, dietitians and podiatrists will have their payments slashed in the new financial year as the agency that runs the $48.8 billion scheme seeks to bring down its costs.
The National Disability Insurance Agency says a review of more than 10 million transactions found that many pricing limits for NDIS therapies were out of step with broader market rates. In some cases, NDIS providers were charging fees that were 68 per cent higher.
The agency confirmed on Wednesday that the maximum hourly rate for NDIS physiotherapists would be cut by $10 from July 1, resulting in a new national cap of $183.99 an hour.
Similarly, dieticians and podiatrists will have their maximum hourly rates slashed by $5 in the new financial year, resulting in a new national cap of $188.99 for both professions.
'Inflated therapy price points – initially established to support market development in some states and territories in 2019, do not have conclusive evidence to continue,' the NDIA said in a statement.
'Data confirms that people with disability have been paying 'NDIS premiums' for certain therapies. As a result, a number of price points have been adjusted to align with non-NDIS market rates.
'These pricing adjustments are a big step towards further safeguarding participants to ensure they are charged the same as anyone else.'
While some professions have had their maximum NDIS rates cut as part of this year's annual pricing review, disability support workers will have their price limit lifted by 3.95 per cent to reflect the recent increase to the minimum wage.
Introduced in 2013 by the Gillard government, the NDIS today supports up to 700,000 Australians with a disability and contributes to some 500,000 jobs.
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The Advertiser
17 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'The stress brought the cancer on': 64yo woman scammed out of $223,000
Six months before Jenny Egan was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, she was scammed out of $223,000. Ms Egan, 64, was diagnosed on her birthday on May 7. She saw her doctor that day, who told her "there's a mass on your lung". "I was devastated," said Ms Egan, of Fishing Point in Lake Macquarie. She connected on social media with a man from the US last year. "He basically tricked her into investing money in cryptocurrency," Jenny's daughter Brittney Egan said. Brittney, 29, has set up a GoFundMe for her mum, titled "Jenny's lung cancer battle". "My mum means the world to me. She's not just a parent, she's also my best friend," she said. "She inspires me with her kindness and generosity. She's been knocked down many times and got back up. I believe she can do it again." Ms Egan shared her story to raise awareness to prevent others from being scammed. "He had my phone number and pressured me non-stop to add more money," she said. "I was suicidal when I realised I'd been scammed. I just think the stress has brought the cancer on." She was a smoker, but had never been in hospital before and felt healthy. Ms Egan reported the scam to police and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. The security centre's scam portal sends such reports to the police and/or the ACCC's ScamWatch. A National Anti-Scam Centre spokesperson said it had "referred the website to be assessed for takedown". "We encourage all Australians to report suspicious scam activity via the Scamwatch service to support the disruption of scam networks." A nurse for 20 years at Wyong Hospital and in aged care, Ms Egan now works in patient transport. She was diagnosed with lung cancer after suffering from "pains in the right side of my chest". "I thought I'd pulled a muscle," she said. A doctor referred her for a CT scan. "I had five days of pain and each day the pain got less and less and then went," she said. She considered cancelling, but went because it was free. Her doctor, based at Tuggerah where Brittney works as a nurse, phoned the next day. She was referred to a respiratory physician in Gosford. "I had to go to hospital for a biopsy and bronchoscopy," she said. "The doctor said if it's not too bad, he'd do a resection of my lung. "Unfortunately, it was bad. He rang me a week later with the results and said it's inoperable." The doctor confirmed a tumour on her lung had spread to an adrenal gland and was a stage four cancer. She will begin radiation on the adrenal gland at Gosford Hospital on Wednesday. She will then have chemotherapy and further radiation for her lung. "I'm a mess, but I'm trying to stay at work. That's the only thing that keeps me sane and stops me from falling in a heap. "I try to think about other people and my job, rather than myself. I don't want to upset my kids." Her children, including son Chad, want her to "stay mentally strong because they believe that helps". "I'm a fighter and I'm not giving up," she said. Lake Macquarie Police began investigating after Ms Egan reported she had been scammed from August to November 2024. "As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," a police statement said. "Police urge anyone observing suspicious online activity and unknown solicitation of investment opportunities to be cautious and consider fraud prevention advice." Six months before Jenny Egan was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, she was scammed out of $223,000. Ms Egan, 64, was diagnosed on her birthday on May 7. She saw her doctor that day, who told her "there's a mass on your lung". "I was devastated," said Ms Egan, of Fishing Point in Lake Macquarie. She connected on social media with a man from the US last year. "He basically tricked her into investing money in cryptocurrency," Jenny's daughter Brittney Egan said. Brittney, 29, has set up a GoFundMe for her mum, titled "Jenny's lung cancer battle". "My mum means the world to me. She's not just a parent, she's also my best friend," she said. "She inspires me with her kindness and generosity. She's been knocked down many times and got back up. I believe she can do it again." Ms Egan shared her story to raise awareness to prevent others from being scammed. "He had my phone number and pressured me non-stop to add more money," she said. "I was suicidal when I realised I'd been scammed. I just think the stress has brought the cancer on." She was a smoker, but had never been in hospital before and felt healthy. Ms Egan reported the scam to police and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. The security centre's scam portal sends such reports to the police and/or the ACCC's ScamWatch. A National Anti-Scam Centre spokesperson said it had "referred the website to be assessed for takedown". "We encourage all Australians to report suspicious scam activity via the Scamwatch service to support the disruption of scam networks." A nurse for 20 years at Wyong Hospital and in aged care, Ms Egan now works in patient transport. She was diagnosed with lung cancer after suffering from "pains in the right side of my chest". "I thought I'd pulled a muscle," she said. A doctor referred her for a CT scan. "I had five days of pain and each day the pain got less and less and then went," she said. She considered cancelling, but went because it was free. Her doctor, based at Tuggerah where Brittney works as a nurse, phoned the next day. She was referred to a respiratory physician in Gosford. "I had to go to hospital for a biopsy and bronchoscopy," she said. "The doctor said if it's not too bad, he'd do a resection of my lung. "Unfortunately, it was bad. He rang me a week later with the results and said it's inoperable." The doctor confirmed a tumour on her lung had spread to an adrenal gland and was a stage four cancer. She will begin radiation on the adrenal gland at Gosford Hospital on Wednesday. She will then have chemotherapy and further radiation for her lung. "I'm a mess, but I'm trying to stay at work. That's the only thing that keeps me sane and stops me from falling in a heap. "I try to think about other people and my job, rather than myself. I don't want to upset my kids." Her children, including son Chad, want her to "stay mentally strong because they believe that helps". "I'm a fighter and I'm not giving up," she said. Lake Macquarie Police began investigating after Ms Egan reported she had been scammed from August to November 2024. "As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," a police statement said. "Police urge anyone observing suspicious online activity and unknown solicitation of investment opportunities to be cautious and consider fraud prevention advice." Six months before Jenny Egan was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, she was scammed out of $223,000. Ms Egan, 64, was diagnosed on her birthday on May 7. She saw her doctor that day, who told her "there's a mass on your lung". "I was devastated," said Ms Egan, of Fishing Point in Lake Macquarie. She connected on social media with a man from the US last year. "He basically tricked her into investing money in cryptocurrency," Jenny's daughter Brittney Egan said. Brittney, 29, has set up a GoFundMe for her mum, titled "Jenny's lung cancer battle". "My mum means the world to me. She's not just a parent, she's also my best friend," she said. "She inspires me with her kindness and generosity. She's been knocked down many times and got back up. I believe she can do it again." Ms Egan shared her story to raise awareness to prevent others from being scammed. "He had my phone number and pressured me non-stop to add more money," she said. "I was suicidal when I realised I'd been scammed. I just think the stress has brought the cancer on." She was a smoker, but had never been in hospital before and felt healthy. Ms Egan reported the scam to police and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. The security centre's scam portal sends such reports to the police and/or the ACCC's ScamWatch. A National Anti-Scam Centre spokesperson said it had "referred the website to be assessed for takedown". "We encourage all Australians to report suspicious scam activity via the Scamwatch service to support the disruption of scam networks." A nurse for 20 years at Wyong Hospital and in aged care, Ms Egan now works in patient transport. She was diagnosed with lung cancer after suffering from "pains in the right side of my chest". "I thought I'd pulled a muscle," she said. A doctor referred her for a CT scan. "I had five days of pain and each day the pain got less and less and then went," she said. She considered cancelling, but went because it was free. Her doctor, based at Tuggerah where Brittney works as a nurse, phoned the next day. She was referred to a respiratory physician in Gosford. "I had to go to hospital for a biopsy and bronchoscopy," she said. "The doctor said if it's not too bad, he'd do a resection of my lung. "Unfortunately, it was bad. He rang me a week later with the results and said it's inoperable." The doctor confirmed a tumour on her lung had spread to an adrenal gland and was a stage four cancer. She will begin radiation on the adrenal gland at Gosford Hospital on Wednesday. She will then have chemotherapy and further radiation for her lung. "I'm a mess, but I'm trying to stay at work. That's the only thing that keeps me sane and stops me from falling in a heap. "I try to think about other people and my job, rather than myself. I don't want to upset my kids." Her children, including son Chad, want her to "stay mentally strong because they believe that helps". "I'm a fighter and I'm not giving up," she said. Lake Macquarie Police began investigating after Ms Egan reported she had been scammed from August to November 2024. "As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," a police statement said. "Police urge anyone observing suspicious online activity and unknown solicitation of investment opportunities to be cautious and consider fraud prevention advice." Six months before Jenny Egan was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer, she was scammed out of $223,000. Ms Egan, 64, was diagnosed on her birthday on May 7. She saw her doctor that day, who told her "there's a mass on your lung". "I was devastated," said Ms Egan, of Fishing Point in Lake Macquarie. She connected on social media with a man from the US last year. "He basically tricked her into investing money in cryptocurrency," Jenny's daughter Brittney Egan said. Brittney, 29, has set up a GoFundMe for her mum, titled "Jenny's lung cancer battle". "My mum means the world to me. She's not just a parent, she's also my best friend," she said. "She inspires me with her kindness and generosity. She's been knocked down many times and got back up. I believe she can do it again." Ms Egan shared her story to raise awareness to prevent others from being scammed. "He had my phone number and pressured me non-stop to add more money," she said. "I was suicidal when I realised I'd been scammed. I just think the stress has brought the cancer on." She was a smoker, but had never been in hospital before and felt healthy. Ms Egan reported the scam to police and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. The security centre's scam portal sends such reports to the police and/or the ACCC's ScamWatch. A National Anti-Scam Centre spokesperson said it had "referred the website to be assessed for takedown". "We encourage all Australians to report suspicious scam activity via the Scamwatch service to support the disruption of scam networks." A nurse for 20 years at Wyong Hospital and in aged care, Ms Egan now works in patient transport. She was diagnosed with lung cancer after suffering from "pains in the right side of my chest". "I thought I'd pulled a muscle," she said. A doctor referred her for a CT scan. "I had five days of pain and each day the pain got less and less and then went," she said. She considered cancelling, but went because it was free. Her doctor, based at Tuggerah where Brittney works as a nurse, phoned the next day. She was referred to a respiratory physician in Gosford. "I had to go to hospital for a biopsy and bronchoscopy," she said. "The doctor said if it's not too bad, he'd do a resection of my lung. "Unfortunately, it was bad. He rang me a week later with the results and said it's inoperable." The doctor confirmed a tumour on her lung had spread to an adrenal gland and was a stage four cancer. She will begin radiation on the adrenal gland at Gosford Hospital on Wednesday. She will then have chemotherapy and further radiation for her lung. "I'm a mess, but I'm trying to stay at work. That's the only thing that keeps me sane and stops me from falling in a heap. "I try to think about other people and my job, rather than myself. I don't want to upset my kids." Her children, including son Chad, want her to "stay mentally strong because they believe that helps". "I'm a fighter and I'm not giving up," she said. Lake Macquarie Police began investigating after Ms Egan reported she had been scammed from August to November 2024. "As inquiries into the incident continue, anyone with information is urged to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000," a police statement said. "Police urge anyone observing suspicious online activity and unknown solicitation of investment opportunities to be cautious and consider fraud prevention advice."
The Advertiser
19 hours ago
- The Advertiser
PTSD in our elderly is a lesser-known side effect of extreme weather events
A forgotten side effect of extreme weather events, debilitating our elderly, is finally being brought into the light in a push for older Australians to be better cared for. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and social isolation due to displacement and homelessness is not often talked about in mainstream media reports of such events like the Lismore floods or Cyclone Alfred. But the trauma can be intense and long-lasting for older Australians, according to a team from Griffith University and Anglicare Southern Queensland. Read more from The Senior: During a public webinar on June 12, aged care expert Victoria Cain spoke of an Anglicare aged care resident living with dementia who now has severe PTSD "superimposed on his dementia" because of the Lismore floods of 2022. "It's directly related to the floods because of the homelessness, so that alone is quite distressing ... many [aged care] residents have PTSD because of previous storm or flood events," said Ms Cain, Anglicare's Southern Queensland Clinical Lead, Specialist Dementia Care Program. "You then have an increase of isolation for residents who can't actually get out of their rooms or out of the floors. So it leads to isolation, it leads to increased depression, it leads to increased lack of mobility." In another instance, Ms Cain spoke of a recent stay in a hotel in Hervey Bay following Cyclone Alfred where the lifts had been inoperable since March and wouldn't be fixed for another 12 weeks. For some people this may be seen as an inconvenience, but for the elderly woman she met living on the top floor she would be heavily impacted by climbing up and down five flights of stairs every day - almost cut off from the world. Associate Professor Patricia Lee of Griffith University said whether it's bushfires, floods, cyclones or extreme heatwaves they all can have disruptive and harmful consequences on the elderly who need "continuous high care". The university is currently working with Anglicare on a research project investigating climate-change vulnerability on aged care residents and associated health impacts, while also looking at adaption strategies. "Older people are particularly vulnerable due to their age-related health conditions - chronic diseases, the climate vulnerabilities," Professor Lee said. "It can be isolating for people with underlying healthy conditions and also it reduces their mobility and increase social isolation - especially for those who are living alone." The research project will focus on two Queensland regional centres, Toowoomba and Hervey Bay. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A forgotten side effect of extreme weather events, debilitating our elderly, is finally being brought into the light in a push for older Australians to be better cared for. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and social isolation due to displacement and homelessness is not often talked about in mainstream media reports of such events like the Lismore floods or Cyclone Alfred. But the trauma can be intense and long-lasting for older Australians, according to a team from Griffith University and Anglicare Southern Queensland. Read more from The Senior: During a public webinar on June 12, aged care expert Victoria Cain spoke of an Anglicare aged care resident living with dementia who now has severe PTSD "superimposed on his dementia" because of the Lismore floods of 2022. "It's directly related to the floods because of the homelessness, so that alone is quite distressing ... many [aged care] residents have PTSD because of previous storm or flood events," said Ms Cain, Anglicare's Southern Queensland Clinical Lead, Specialist Dementia Care Program. "You then have an increase of isolation for residents who can't actually get out of their rooms or out of the floors. So it leads to isolation, it leads to increased depression, it leads to increased lack of mobility." In another instance, Ms Cain spoke of a recent stay in a hotel in Hervey Bay following Cyclone Alfred where the lifts had been inoperable since March and wouldn't be fixed for another 12 weeks. For some people this may be seen as an inconvenience, but for the elderly woman she met living on the top floor she would be heavily impacted by climbing up and down five flights of stairs every day - almost cut off from the world. Associate Professor Patricia Lee of Griffith University said whether it's bushfires, floods, cyclones or extreme heatwaves they all can have disruptive and harmful consequences on the elderly who need "continuous high care". The university is currently working with Anglicare on a research project investigating climate-change vulnerability on aged care residents and associated health impacts, while also looking at adaption strategies. "Older people are particularly vulnerable due to their age-related health conditions - chronic diseases, the climate vulnerabilities," Professor Lee said. "It can be isolating for people with underlying healthy conditions and also it reduces their mobility and increase social isolation - especially for those who are living alone." The research project will focus on two Queensland regional centres, Toowoomba and Hervey Bay. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A forgotten side effect of extreme weather events, debilitating our elderly, is finally being brought into the light in a push for older Australians to be better cared for. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and social isolation due to displacement and homelessness is not often talked about in mainstream media reports of such events like the Lismore floods or Cyclone Alfred. But the trauma can be intense and long-lasting for older Australians, according to a team from Griffith University and Anglicare Southern Queensland. Read more from The Senior: During a public webinar on June 12, aged care expert Victoria Cain spoke of an Anglicare aged care resident living with dementia who now has severe PTSD "superimposed on his dementia" because of the Lismore floods of 2022. "It's directly related to the floods because of the homelessness, so that alone is quite distressing ... many [aged care] residents have PTSD because of previous storm or flood events," said Ms Cain, Anglicare's Southern Queensland Clinical Lead, Specialist Dementia Care Program. "You then have an increase of isolation for residents who can't actually get out of their rooms or out of the floors. So it leads to isolation, it leads to increased depression, it leads to increased lack of mobility." In another instance, Ms Cain spoke of a recent stay in a hotel in Hervey Bay following Cyclone Alfred where the lifts had been inoperable since March and wouldn't be fixed for another 12 weeks. For some people this may be seen as an inconvenience, but for the elderly woman she met living on the top floor she would be heavily impacted by climbing up and down five flights of stairs every day - almost cut off from the world. Associate Professor Patricia Lee of Griffith University said whether it's bushfires, floods, cyclones or extreme heatwaves they all can have disruptive and harmful consequences on the elderly who need "continuous high care". The university is currently working with Anglicare on a research project investigating climate-change vulnerability on aged care residents and associated health impacts, while also looking at adaption strategies. "Older people are particularly vulnerable due to their age-related health conditions - chronic diseases, the climate vulnerabilities," Professor Lee said. "It can be isolating for people with underlying healthy conditions and also it reduces their mobility and increase social isolation - especially for those who are living alone." The research project will focus on two Queensland regional centres, Toowoomba and Hervey Bay. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. A forgotten side effect of extreme weather events, debilitating our elderly, is finally being brought into the light in a push for older Australians to be better cared for. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and social isolation due to displacement and homelessness is not often talked about in mainstream media reports of such events like the Lismore floods or Cyclone Alfred. But the trauma can be intense and long-lasting for older Australians, according to a team from Griffith University and Anglicare Southern Queensland. Read more from The Senior: During a public webinar on June 12, aged care expert Victoria Cain spoke of an Anglicare aged care resident living with dementia who now has severe PTSD "superimposed on his dementia" because of the Lismore floods of 2022. "It's directly related to the floods because of the homelessness, so that alone is quite distressing ... many [aged care] residents have PTSD because of previous storm or flood events," said Ms Cain, Anglicare's Southern Queensland Clinical Lead, Specialist Dementia Care Program. "You then have an increase of isolation for residents who can't actually get out of their rooms or out of the floors. So it leads to isolation, it leads to increased depression, it leads to increased lack of mobility." In another instance, Ms Cain spoke of a recent stay in a hotel in Hervey Bay following Cyclone Alfred where the lifts had been inoperable since March and wouldn't be fixed for another 12 weeks. For some people this may be seen as an inconvenience, but for the elderly woman she met living on the top floor she would be heavily impacted by climbing up and down five flights of stairs every day - almost cut off from the world. Associate Professor Patricia Lee of Griffith University said whether it's bushfires, floods, cyclones or extreme heatwaves they all can have disruptive and harmful consequences on the elderly who need "continuous high care". The university is currently working with Anglicare on a research project investigating climate-change vulnerability on aged care residents and associated health impacts, while also looking at adaption strategies. "Older people are particularly vulnerable due to their age-related health conditions - chronic diseases, the climate vulnerabilities," Professor Lee said. "It can be isolating for people with underlying healthy conditions and also it reduces their mobility and increase social isolation - especially for those who are living alone." The research project will focus on two Queensland regional centres, Toowoomba and Hervey Bay. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- The Advertiser
Rising number of Aussie families rely on charity to help cover medical costs
MANY Australians may be one medical diagnosis away from financial stress or homelessness, according to GoFundMe data citing $70 million donated to medical fundraisers in 2024. That makes medical treatment the largest category on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform with more than 30 medical fundraisers launched across the nation every day. Of the $70 million in donations, 75 per cent aimed to cover loss of income due to time off work and out-of-pocket costs. The most common costs listed on medical treatment campaigns, which made up for one in five of all campaigns in Australia, were time off work, parking fees, interstate travel, out-of-pocket treatment expenses and covering rent or a mortgage. Almost half a million Australians chipped in to medical fundraisers, donating on average $105 each. Campaigns that mention the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) received $6.3 million in donations, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023. GoFundMe says that spike was in line with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of fundraisers highlighting costs not fully covered by the NDIS, such as modified vehicles, electric wheelchairs or home modifications. The data showed donors contributed $4.9 million to fundraisers referencing mental health, showing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, while tens of thousands also poured their support into campaigns for people impacted by strokes, a total of $3.7 million. Nicola Britton, GoFundMe regional director, said that despite having access to a universal healthcare system, the real emotional and financial toll of serious medical diagnoses was evident every day. "The fine line between income and out-of-pocket expenses is leaving patients and their families making impossible decisions; a choice between employment and treatment, or being with a loved one during sickness," Ms Britton said. "This is particularly pertinent in Australia, with many having to relocate, or travel, to be closer to specialist care centres. "It is heartening to see so many Australians embracing fundraising tools to help ease the pressure on one another in times of need." Recently launched Hunter-specific GoFundMe campaigns include one to help Hunter Valley pilot Glenn Collins who crashed his stunt plane at Avalon Airshow in March. Mr Collins has undergone a series of intense surgeries and was facing a long recovery, his flying teammates told the Newcastle Herald. It is close to achieving its $90,000 target with the proceeds raised to go towards Mr Collins' medical expenses, rehabilitation, and family support. Belmont woman Erin Healey has also started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of her niece, Erin Healy. The nine-year-old girl was undergoing a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when a large tumour deep inside her brain was detected. "We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden of an emergency like this, so her parents can be by her side throughout the healing process instead of having to go to work or worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition," Ms Healey said. MANY Australians may be one medical diagnosis away from financial stress or homelessness, according to GoFundMe data citing $70 million donated to medical fundraisers in 2024. That makes medical treatment the largest category on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform with more than 30 medical fundraisers launched across the nation every day. Of the $70 million in donations, 75 per cent aimed to cover loss of income due to time off work and out-of-pocket costs. The most common costs listed on medical treatment campaigns, which made up for one in five of all campaigns in Australia, were time off work, parking fees, interstate travel, out-of-pocket treatment expenses and covering rent or a mortgage. Almost half a million Australians chipped in to medical fundraisers, donating on average $105 each. Campaigns that mention the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) received $6.3 million in donations, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023. GoFundMe says that spike was in line with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of fundraisers highlighting costs not fully covered by the NDIS, such as modified vehicles, electric wheelchairs or home modifications. The data showed donors contributed $4.9 million to fundraisers referencing mental health, showing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, while tens of thousands also poured their support into campaigns for people impacted by strokes, a total of $3.7 million. Nicola Britton, GoFundMe regional director, said that despite having access to a universal healthcare system, the real emotional and financial toll of serious medical diagnoses was evident every day. "The fine line between income and out-of-pocket expenses is leaving patients and their families making impossible decisions; a choice between employment and treatment, or being with a loved one during sickness," Ms Britton said. "This is particularly pertinent in Australia, with many having to relocate, or travel, to be closer to specialist care centres. "It is heartening to see so many Australians embracing fundraising tools to help ease the pressure on one another in times of need." Recently launched Hunter-specific GoFundMe campaigns include one to help Hunter Valley pilot Glenn Collins who crashed his stunt plane at Avalon Airshow in March. Mr Collins has undergone a series of intense surgeries and was facing a long recovery, his flying teammates told the Newcastle Herald. It is close to achieving its $90,000 target with the proceeds raised to go towards Mr Collins' medical expenses, rehabilitation, and family support. Belmont woman Erin Healey has also started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of her niece, Erin Healy. The nine-year-old girl was undergoing a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when a large tumour deep inside her brain was detected. "We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden of an emergency like this, so her parents can be by her side throughout the healing process instead of having to go to work or worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition," Ms Healey said. MANY Australians may be one medical diagnosis away from financial stress or homelessness, according to GoFundMe data citing $70 million donated to medical fundraisers in 2024. That makes medical treatment the largest category on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform with more than 30 medical fundraisers launched across the nation every day. Of the $70 million in donations, 75 per cent aimed to cover loss of income due to time off work and out-of-pocket costs. The most common costs listed on medical treatment campaigns, which made up for one in five of all campaigns in Australia, were time off work, parking fees, interstate travel, out-of-pocket treatment expenses and covering rent or a mortgage. Almost half a million Australians chipped in to medical fundraisers, donating on average $105 each. Campaigns that mention the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) received $6.3 million in donations, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023. GoFundMe says that spike was in line with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of fundraisers highlighting costs not fully covered by the NDIS, such as modified vehicles, electric wheelchairs or home modifications. The data showed donors contributed $4.9 million to fundraisers referencing mental health, showing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, while tens of thousands also poured their support into campaigns for people impacted by strokes, a total of $3.7 million. Nicola Britton, GoFundMe regional director, said that despite having access to a universal healthcare system, the real emotional and financial toll of serious medical diagnoses was evident every day. "The fine line between income and out-of-pocket expenses is leaving patients and their families making impossible decisions; a choice between employment and treatment, or being with a loved one during sickness," Ms Britton said. "This is particularly pertinent in Australia, with many having to relocate, or travel, to be closer to specialist care centres. "It is heartening to see so many Australians embracing fundraising tools to help ease the pressure on one another in times of need." Recently launched Hunter-specific GoFundMe campaigns include one to help Hunter Valley pilot Glenn Collins who crashed his stunt plane at Avalon Airshow in March. Mr Collins has undergone a series of intense surgeries and was facing a long recovery, his flying teammates told the Newcastle Herald. It is close to achieving its $90,000 target with the proceeds raised to go towards Mr Collins' medical expenses, rehabilitation, and family support. Belmont woman Erin Healey has also started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of her niece, Erin Healy. The nine-year-old girl was undergoing a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when a large tumour deep inside her brain was detected. "We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden of an emergency like this, so her parents can be by her side throughout the healing process instead of having to go to work or worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition," Ms Healey said. MANY Australians may be one medical diagnosis away from financial stress or homelessness, according to GoFundMe data citing $70 million donated to medical fundraisers in 2024. That makes medical treatment the largest category on the GoFundMe crowdfunding platform with more than 30 medical fundraisers launched across the nation every day. Of the $70 million in donations, 75 per cent aimed to cover loss of income due to time off work and out-of-pocket costs. The most common costs listed on medical treatment campaigns, which made up for one in five of all campaigns in Australia, were time off work, parking fees, interstate travel, out-of-pocket treatment expenses and covering rent or a mortgage. Almost half a million Australians chipped in to medical fundraisers, donating on average $105 each. Campaigns that mention the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) or National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) received $6.3 million in donations, a 12 per cent increase compared to 2023. GoFundMe says that spike was in line with a 16 per cent year-on-year rise in the number of fundraisers highlighting costs not fully covered by the NDIS, such as modified vehicles, electric wheelchairs or home modifications. The data showed donors contributed $4.9 million to fundraisers referencing mental health, showing a 16 per cent year-on-year growth, while tens of thousands also poured their support into campaigns for people impacted by strokes, a total of $3.7 million. Nicola Britton, GoFundMe regional director, said that despite having access to a universal healthcare system, the real emotional and financial toll of serious medical diagnoses was evident every day. "The fine line between income and out-of-pocket expenses is leaving patients and their families making impossible decisions; a choice between employment and treatment, or being with a loved one during sickness," Ms Britton said. "This is particularly pertinent in Australia, with many having to relocate, or travel, to be closer to specialist care centres. "It is heartening to see so many Australians embracing fundraising tools to help ease the pressure on one another in times of need." Recently launched Hunter-specific GoFundMe campaigns include one to help Hunter Valley pilot Glenn Collins who crashed his stunt plane at Avalon Airshow in March. Mr Collins has undergone a series of intense surgeries and was facing a long recovery, his flying teammates told the Newcastle Herald. It is close to achieving its $90,000 target with the proceeds raised to go towards Mr Collins' medical expenses, rehabilitation, and family support. Belmont woman Erin Healey has also started a GoFundMe campaign to benefit the family of her niece, Erin Healy. The nine-year-old girl was undergoing a brain scan to confirm a diagnosis of cerebral palsy when a large tumour deep inside her brain was detected. "We would like to make life a little less stressful by helping to ease the financial burden of an emergency like this, so her parents can be by her side throughout the healing process instead of having to go to work or worry about how to pay the rent and other costs associated with this condition," Ms Healey said.
