Hearing Australia, with the support of the Australian Government, has announced the launch of a landmark program to help people at risk of isolation to access vital hearing services including free hearing aids.
Ms Katy Gallagher, Minister for Government Services, welcomed the establishment of the nationwide initiative while visiting The Shepherd Centre in Canberra, a not-for-profit organisation providing support to families of children with hearing loss across Australia.
Launching on 1 July 2025, the initiative will be funded by Hearing Australia’s commercial operations. The program will provide free hearing assessments, hearing aids and support to at risk individuals who are ineligible for Australian Government funded hearing services.
The Profit for Purpose initiative will focus on people who are unemployed, people experiencing homelessness, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples aged 26-49.
“The Australian Government provides support to over one million children and adults with hearing loss each year,” Gallagher said. “This announcement will allow Hearing Australia to help more Australians get the support they need, when they need it.
“This new program will open doors for vulnerable people not currently supported through the Australian Government’s Hearing Services Program and will build on Hearing Australia’s 78-year legacy of changing the lives of millions of children and adults with hearing loss.”
Mr Kim Terrell, Hearing Australia’s managing director said the organisation was committed to improving the lives of people with hearing loss, regardless of their age, location or background.
“Our mission is to provide world leading research and hearing services for the wellbeing of all Australians,” he said.
“Hearing loss can be devastating and it’s not something people ‘just have to live with’. Hearing loss can make it difficult for people to engage and communicate, impacting a person’s ability to learn or find work. It can lead to social isolation, impacting wellbeing and mental health.
“I know from my own personal experience that getting help and using hearing aids can improve your life – at home, in the workplace, and in social settings.
“Hearing Australia will continue to work closely with the Australian Government, our partners and the community to prevent and address hearing loss. Together, we’re making it easier for all Australians to access the expert hearing care they deserve.”
Hearing Australia will also work with its partners, including The Shepherd Centre and Cochlear, to invest in small community hearing health pilots and supporting research to advance treatment and prevention strategies.
There are more than 3.6 million people in Australia living with hearing loss and this number is expected to double to 7.8 million by 2060, the government said. Each week, Hearing Australia helps over 10,000 infants, children, adults, First Nations peoples, pensioners and veterans, achieving satisfaction rates of 87 per cent.
Without this help, many children would have continued to struggle to hear, learn and engage with their families and communities, Hearing Australia said.
Hearing Australia is a statutory authority established by and funded by the Australian Government and is the largest provider of government-funded hearing services in Australia.
