The Albanese Government has committed a further $14.6 million to drive research, care and support for Australians affected by allergies.
The funding will support the National Allergy Council (NAC) and National Allergy Centre of Excellence (NACE) to continue its world class research into allergies while improving evidence-based care and strengthening public health programs.
Allergic disease affects approximately a third of the population and is rising. It spans all age groups with one in 10 babies diagnosed with food allergies, one in 20 adults reporting medication allergies, and one in four Australians experiencing hay fever - up from one in seven in 2008.
This investment will provide millions of Australians with faster access to improved care through life-changing allergy research. Funding will also support documenting allergies in electronic health records - including antibiotic allergy information - which will help improve patient safety.
The NAC is a partnership between the Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia (A&AA) - the peak medical and patient support organisations for allergy in Australia.
The NACE, hosted at Murdoch Children's Research Institute, is Australia's peak allergy research body. Backed by a national network of more than 500 experts in drug, food, insect and respiratory allergies, it is recognised as a European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Advanced Research Centre.
The funding for NAC and NACE is delivered through the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook for 2 years from 1 July 2026.
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White:
"The NAC and NACE have already made a real difference for Australians living with allergies and this funding will help them build on that work and ease the burden of these conditions.
"For many families, managing allergies is part of daily life, checking labels, packing the school lunch and always being prepared for the unexpected.
"We know how stressful and sometimes frightening it can be to manage allergies especially for parents of young children and that's why improving care and support matters.
"This funding will deliver and expand public health initiatives, education, training and support to improve the health and wellbeing of people with allergic disease.
"This is about making sure people have access to the latest research, but also the practical support they need day to day through national patient support organisations like Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia."
Quotes attributable to Kimberley Doyle-Smith, mother of four-year-old Henry:
"Henry's the only one in our extended family with allergies. When he first reacted to egg at six months, his lips swelled, he started drooling, and he went very quiet. We had no experience with allergies and didn't know what to do.
"It felt very isolated and as if we were flying blind. He's grown out of his egg allergy, but has been diagnosed with severe peanut, tree nut and coconut allergies.
"He's had multiple anaphylaxis episodes - in hospital and at home - and we live 45 minutes from the closest hospital in Orange, NSW, so it can be very frightening.
"I joined the National Allergy Centre of Excellence Consumer Engagement Register to share our experiences with researchers and help advocate for the support families like ours desperately need.
"We have also tapped into a number of the National Allergy Council education and support resources for families and childcare centres. · All the work in this space is giving us so much hope for our little boy.
"I am excited and grateful that these treatment options are available to regional families. · Our dream is to take away the risk of a fatal reaction, so that he can live a safe and fulfilled life."
