Dementia is Australia's second leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in older Australians. With nearly 500,000 Australians living with dementia — a number projected to grow significantly as the population ages — research funding and support service funding are both urgent priorities. Understanding the funding landscape matters for researchers seeking grants, organisations delivering dementia and aged care services, and philanthropists looking to invest effectively.
Prevalence and impact
Approximately 70% of people living with dementia reside in the community (not in residential aged care). Family carers — predominantly women — provide the majority of care. The economic cost of dementia is enormous: an estimated $15 billion annually and growing. The human cost — for people living with dementia, their families, and carers — is immeasurable.
Research needs
There is no cure for dementia. Research investment is needed across the pipeline: basic science (understanding brain mechanisms), prevention (what reduces dementia risk), treatment (slowing progression), and care (improving quality of life for people with dementia and carers).
Support service needs
People with dementia and their carers need a wide range of support: information and education (understanding dementia), carer support (respite, training, peer support), community services (home care, day programs), and residential care for those who can no longer be supported at home.
NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council)
The NHMRC is the primary government funder of health and medical research in Australia. Dementia research is funded through general competitive grants:
Applications are competitive; dementia research competes with all health research areas. Success rates are typically 15-25%.
Dementia-specific research programmes
The Australian Government has periodically funded dedicated dementia research initiatives:
- Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration: coordinates Australian dementia research
- National Dementia Support Programme: government-funded support services administered by Dementia Australia
MRFF (Medical Research Future Fund)
The MRFF funds specific research priorities, including dementia. Mission-based programmes — with dedicated dementia-specific funding — periodically open for applications.
Aged Care Act and Commonwealth Home Support Programme
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) funds in-home support services for older Australians — including services specifically for people with dementia: respite care, personal care, social support, and transport. Service providers (aged care organisations) apply for block grants to deliver CHSP services.
Home Care Packages
Home Care Packages provide coordinated, individualised support for older Australians with more complex needs. People with dementia often hold Home Care Packages. Funding goes to the individual (via a package budget) rather than to organisations.
Residential Aged Care
Residential aged care facilities receive per-resident funding from the Commonwealth through the Aged Care Funding Instrument (now being reformed under the Australian National Aged Care Classification). People with dementia represent the majority of residential aged care residents.
Dementia Australia
Dementia Australia (formerly Alzheimer's Australia) is the national peak body and primary charity for dementia — providing support services, advocacy, and coordinating fundraising for dementia research. It administers the Small Grants Programme for dementia research and service development.
Major philanthropic funders
Several Australian foundations invest in dementia and aged care:
Corporate philanthropy
Banks, superannuation funds, insurance companies, and aged care providers all have corporate philanthropy programmes that sometimes fund dementia and aged care services. ANZ, CommBank, and others have supported dementia initiatives.
Carer support programmes
Family carers of people with dementia are at significantly elevated risk of depression, burnout, and health deterioration. Respite programmes, carer education, and peer support groups reduce carer burden and delay residential care placement. This is a high-impact, underfunded area.
Dementia-inclusive communities
Dementia-friendly communities — where people with dementia can participate safely in community life — reduce isolation and improve quality of life. Grants for community awareness, training, and environmental modifications support dementia inclusion.
Technology-assisted dementia care
Technology can support people with dementia to remain safe and independent at home longer — GPS tracking, medication reminders, video calling, and sensor-based monitoring. Grants for technology pilots and evaluation fund innovation in this space.
Culturally appropriate services
People from CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) backgrounds with dementia often have limited access to culturally appropriate support. Grants for bilingual support workers, culturally adapted programmes, and CALD community awareness address this gap.
Research translation
Research findings take too long to reach clinical and care practice. Grants for implementation science — translating research evidence into improved care practices — accelerate the impact of research investment.
Equity in aged care: Older Australians from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, CALD backgrounds, LGBTQI+ communities, and remote areas have less access to dementia support. Equity-focused funding addresses these disparities.
Carer as a population: Carers are not always the primary focus of aged care funding — but they are a significant population with their own health, economic, and social needs. Funding that supports carers as well as care recipients is more effective.
Cross-sector connections: Dementia intersects with housing (housing design, specialist housing), transport (mobility and independence), and social isolation. Cross-sector approaches that address these intersections are more effective than siloed health funding.
Tahua's grants management platform supports health funders and aged care organisations in Australia — with grant tracking, health outcome measurement, carer support programme management, and the reporting tools that help funders invest effectively in better lives for people with dementia and their families.