About Us

Even though epilepsy is one of the most common brain disorders across the world, there is still a lot of misunderstanding about what epilepsy is and what it is like to live with. At the Epilepsy Foundation, we believe that understanding is the key to promoting better quality of life for people living with epilepsy – through reducing stigma and discrimination, providing better support for those with epilepsy and their families, and promoting research into reducing unnecessary deaths due to epilepsy and one day finding a cure.

We believe that no one with epilepsy should go it alone.

We Are Creating an Epilepsy Smart Australia

Research shows that, despite the condition’s prevalence, ninety percent of Australians don’t have access to the epilepsy support they need.

With support from the Australian Government, the Epilepsy Foundation will take our work to a national scale through a new program titled Epilepsy Smart Australia.  We are expanding our delivery of services that will reduce the chronic health impacts experienced by Australians of all ages living with epilepsy.

We Support People Living with Epilepsy

No one with epilepsy should go it alone.  Every case of epilepsy is unique and everyone with epilepsy will need some form of support in their life. 

The Epilepsy Foundation works to ensure that:

• all people with epilepsy have access to information relevant to their age and condition
• employers understand epilepsy and how to respond to the needs of their people living with epilepsy
• teachers understand children’s epilepsy and how to ensure they achieve a better education
• people understand and manage their epilepsy well
• society understands epilepsy so that people with the condition feel connected and included in the community.

We do this by delivering:

• support programs for people and families living with epilepsy
• education and training tailored for individuals, families, schools, workplaces and community settings
• information and resources
• community awareness programs

The Epilepsy Foundation is the voice for people living with epilepsy.

We Are Leading the Charge for a Cure

The Epilepsy Foundation is driving the search for a cure.  With a seeding investment of $2 million from the Australian Government, we have established the Australian Epilepsy Research Fund.  This provides Australians living with epilepsy hope for a cure through research.

The first project to be awarded funding from the Australian Epilepsy Research Fund is the Florey SYNGAP-1 Gene Project. Read more about this project here.