Brain cancer carries one of the highest burdens of disease and disability, but one of the lowest survival rates and least funding of all cancer types. BTAA connects people, organisations, and government to foster collaboration and build awareness. We educate the community and inform decision-makers to shape policy and better outcomes. By uniting lived experience with expertise, we champion the needs of the brain tumour community to achieve lasting improvements in research, clinical care and support.
How we work
As the peak brain tumour advocacy body, we focus on three core approaches:
- Consumer advocacy – giving voice to people living with brain tumours, their carer givers and families
- Partnerships – connecting people, organisations, and government to strengthen collective influence
- Government policy advocacy – engaging with and educating decision-makers to shape policy and improve outcomes
Advocacy in action – Head to the Hill
Head to the Hill is BTAA’s annual advocacy event at Parliament House, Canberra. It brings together patients, carers and advocates to meet Members and Senators and to put brain cancer on the national agenda.
The event’s centrepiece is a powerful shoe installation, with thousands of pairs representing those whose lives have been touched by brain tumours. Each pair symbolises an individual story and makes the human cost visible in a way numbers alone cannot.
Each year you can participate or support the event
- Attend in person at Parliament House, Canberra
- Send a pair of shoes, along with a photo and bio, so your voice is represented
- Write to your Federal MP or Senator inviting them to attend and outlining your story
- Use the event to highlight our advocacy asks – share on social media, with your community and government representatives.
Our current advocacy priorities
Achieving better outcomes for Australians affected by brain cancer relies on three interconnected pillars. BTAA, with the support of the Australian Brain Tumour Collaborative, calls on the Australian government to support the brain cancer community with the following actions:
- Invest $200 million over 10 years to establish the Australian Brain Cancer Mission 2.0
- Invest $8.75 million to implement a national Brain Cancer Care Coordinator framework, including 23 specialised nurses
- Sustain and scale the National Advocacy Service with $1.175 million in dedicated annual funding
See The Australian Brain Cancer Landscape Report for more information.
How can I get involved?
BTAA prioritises giving a voice to the brain tumour community. Our advocacy works best when many voices come together. You can join us by sharing your story, taking part in Head to the Hill, writing to your local MP, or helping us raise awareness in your community. Every action, large or small, helps push for better care, research, and support for people affected by brain tumours. For more details or to get involved, contact us at enquiries@btaa.org.au.
