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Chronic Pain Support in Australia — PainLink & Pain Clinics

Chronic pain affects 1 in 5 Australians. It's invisible, exhausting, and poorly understood. But support exists, and nobody should manage chronic pain alone.

Key Support Services

PainLink Helpline

Call-back service providing support and information for people living with chronic pain. Connects you to pain management services in your area.

PainLink 1300 340 357Call-back

Musculoskeletal Australia

Free helpline for arthritis, back pain, osteoporosis, fibromyalgia. Information, support, referrals.

MSK Help 1800 263 265Mon–FriFree

Pain Management Programs

Multidisciplinary pain clinics in most major hospitals. Physio, psychology, medication review, OT combined. Ask your GP for a referral — public programs are free.

Painaustralia

National peak body. Directory of support groups (face-to-face and online), resources, and advocacy.

painaustralia.org.au

What to Do

1. Get a Chronic Disease Management Plan. Medicare-subsidised physio, psychology, OT, exercise physiology — up to 5 sessions/year.

2. Ask about a pain clinic referral. Strongest evidence for chronic pain management. Public hospital clinics are free.

3. Consider psychology. CBT and ACT are evidence-based for chronic pain. A Mental Health Treatment Plan gives you 10 Medicare sessions.

Pain and Mental Health Are Connected

Chronic pain doubles the risk of depression and anxiety. Breaking this cycle often requires addressing both.

Take the DASS-21 Energy Tracker Guided Breathing

AskMyGP

Free Australian health tools & information

What am I eligible for? How Medicare works Prepare for your GP visit What to bring to your appointment More free tools at askmygp.com.au →

Information only, not medical advice.

Common Questions About Chronic Pain

What is a multidisciplinary pain clinic?

A multidisciplinary pain clinic brings together specialists — typically a pain medicine physician, physiotherapist, psychologist, and occupational therapist — to treat chronic pain as a whole-person condition rather than relying on medication alone. Public hospital pain clinics require a GP or specialist referral.

How long is the wait for a public hospital pain clinic?

Wait times vary significantly by state and region, and can range from a few months to over a year for non-urgent cases. Ask your GP about interim options such as a Chronic Pain Management Plan, which can provide Medicare-subsidised access to physiotherapy and psychology while you wait.

Does Medicare cover psychology for chronic pain?

Yes. Chronic pain is one of the conditions eligible for a Mental Health Treatment Plan, and psychological approaches like CBT and ACT have evidence for reducing pain-related distress and improving function, even though they don't eliminate the physical pain itself.

What's the difference between acute and chronic pain support?

Acute pain (from an injury or surgery) is typically managed by the treating doctor or surgeon and resolves as healing occurs. Chronic pain — pain lasting beyond 3 months — often needs a different approach focused on function and quality of life rather than a cure, which is why multidisciplinary pain clinics and pain psychology exist as a distinct service pathway.