Australia’s Hidden Epidemic: Chronic Wounds Impact 450,000 Lives — and Change Is Coming
Chronic wounds affect more than 450,000 Australians every year—causing persistent pain, infection, and loss of mobility, with many never fully healing. The emotional and financial toll is immense, costing the health and aged care system over $6 billion annually.
Now, with the Federal Government set to launch a landmark $39 million Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme (CWCS) in May, Monash University is leading the national push to upskill frontline health professionals and ensure this long-overdue reform delivers real results.
As the CWCS rolls out, Monash has developed a suite of government-funded training modules to equip doctors, nurses, podiatrists, and Aboriginal Health Practitioners with the skills and certification needed to enrol patients and order consumables through the new system
“This is a critical moment for wound care in Australia,” says Dr Peta Tehan, clinical high-risk podiatrist, Senior Lecturer, and Course Director of Wound Studies in the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, part of Monash University. “Chronic wounds place an enormous burden on individuals and the health system. With this scheme, we have an opportunity to reduce that burden—but only if health professionals are supported to deliver best-practice care.”
The new wound care training, created by Monash wound care experts in collaboration with national stakeholders, is compulsory for clinicians who wish to access the scheme’s online ordering system. Training is recognised by key professional bodies, including the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), the Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA), NAATSIHWP, and the Australian Podiatry Association.
The one-hour online modules are free and tailored to the needs of different healthcare roles, with additional support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners developed through a co-design process with NAATSIHWP. A national awareness campaign led by Wounds Australia will complement the education push.
In parallel, Monash University is marking 25 years of leadership in wound care education with postgraduate programs including a Graduate Certificate, Diploma, and Master’s of Wound Care. Enrolments for the next semester are now open, and several scholarships have been awarded for registered nurses through the Australian College of Nursing (ACN) thanks to Department of Health and Aged Care funding.
“There’s never been a better time for nurses and other clinicians to upskill,” says Dr Tehan. “The Commonwealth is not only funding wound care products, but also investing in the workforce who will deliver that care. These scholarships and short courses make it more accessible than ever.”
The Chronic Wound Consumables Scheme will cover the cost of wound care products—such as dressings, bandages, and compression systems—for people over 65, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over 50, living with diabetes and chronic wounds. The initiative is expected to ease financial pressure for thousands of Australians and improve healing outcomes by ensuring timely access to care.
As Dr Tehan puts it, “This isn’t just about dressings. It’s about dignity, access, and giving clinicians the tools they need to make a real difference.”
About Monash University
Monash University is Australia’s largest university with more than 80,000 students. In the 60 years since its foundation, it has developed a reputation for world-leading high-impact research, quality teaching, and inspiring innovation.
With four campuses in Australia and a presence in Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and Italy, it is one of the most internationalised Australian universities.
As a leading international medical research university with the largest medical faculty in Australia and integration with leading Australian teaching hospitals, we consistently rank in the top 50 universities worldwide for clinical, pre-clinical and health sciences.
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