Rheumatology: specific issues
The size and cost of musculoskeletal disease in Australia (AIHW 2026 figures), its effect on work, mobility and independence, how to measure function, and the Medicare, NDIS, aged care and First Nations pathways that keep people moving and at home.
Tier 1Topic overview
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Almost 1 in 3 Australians (7.3 million, 29%) lives with a chronic musculoskeletal condition (AIHW, 2022 data).
- Musculoskeletal conditions cost $16.3 billion in 2023-24 (9% of disease spending) and cause 23% of non-fatal burden.
- They are the main cause of disability for about 28% of Australians with disability (ABS 2022).
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Sources
- Chronic musculoskeletal conditions: summaryAU/NZAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare, updated 3 July 2026
- OsteoarthritisAU/NZAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare, updated June 2024 (2022 prevalence, 2021-22 joint replacements)
- Back problemsAU/NZAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare, updated June 2024
- OsteoporosisAU/NZAustralian Institute of Health and Welfare, accessed November 2026 (2022 prevalence, 2021-22 hospitalisations)
- Disability, Ageing and Carers, Australia: Summary of Findings, 2022AU/NZAustralian Bureau of Statistics, released 4 July 2024
- About osteoporosisAU/NZHealthy Bones Australia, accessed November 2026
- Assessing Fitness to Drive for commercial and private vehicle driversAU/NZAustroads and National Transport Commission, 2022 edition
- Medicare Benefits Schedule (GP chronic condition management plans, allied health items 10950 to 10970, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessment item 715 and follow-up allied health items 81300 to 81360)AU/NZAustralian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Personal emails, About story and Australian-style copy