World Parkinson’s Awareness Month (April) and World Parkinson’s Day (11 April) highlight that Parkinson’s is the fastest-growing neurological condition globally. In Australia, it is the second most

common neurological disease after dementia.

Key Australian Statistics

Prevalence: Over 219,000 Australians are currently living with Parkinson’s. This number has more than doubled since 2015.
Daily Impact: Approximately 50 Australians are diagnosed every day, which is roughly one person every 27 to 30 minutes.
Young Onset: Around 10–20% of cases are “Young Onset,” meaning the person is diagnosed between their 20s and 50s. Every year, more than 1,100 Aussies under 65 are diagnosed.
Gender Split: The condition affects men slightly more than women, with a split of approximately 52% male and 48% female.
Economic Cost: The condition impacts the Australian economy and healthcare system at a cost of over $10 billion annually.
Geographic Spread: Up to 40% of Australians living with Parkinson’s reside outside major capital cities.

Quick Facts & Awareness

More than a Tremor: While often associated with shaking, Parkinson’s has over 40 symptoms, including non-motor issues like sleep disturbances, anxiety, and loss of smell.
The Tulip Symbol: The red tulip is the official global symbol of Parkinson’s.
Spark the Night: A key Australian initiative involves lighting up landmarks in blue on 11 April to show solidarity.
Growth Rate: The incidence rate of Parkinson’s in Australia is increasing by approximately 4% each year.

2026 Awareness Events

Event Name	Date & Time	Location	Type
Good Vibrations Fun Run	11 April, 10:00 AM	Southy Canteen, Newcastle, NSW	Fun Run/Walk
World Parkinson’s Day Seminar	9 April, 1:00 PM	Medical Science Precinct (UTAS), Hobart, TAS	Research Seminar
Pancakes for Parkinsons	11 April, 8:00 AM	The Coffee Club Café, Beerwah, QLD	Community Social
Future of Parkinson’s Care	11 April, 9:00 AM	Translational Research Institute, Woolloongabba, QLD	Research Event