Crohn's & Colitis Australia
National organisation serving all Australian states and territories Based in: Melbourne, Australia
IBD and Crohn’s & Colitis Resources for Australia
IBD in Australia
Australia has one of the highest rates of IBD in the world. According to the 2025 IBD State of the Nation report by Crohn’s & Colitis Australia, an estimated 179,420 Australians are living with IBD, of whom just over 91,000 have active disease, and prevalence is projected to reach 200,000 within a decade, with growth expected to outpace comparable nations including Canada, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
A 2021 cross-sectional study of more than 2.4 million patients across 481 Australian general practices estimated a crude IBD prevalence of 653 per 100,000 people: 306 per 100,000 for Crohn’s disease and 334 per 100,000 for ulcerative colitis.
National Organisations
Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA)
National professional body for Australian gastroenterologists Based in: Melbourne, Australia
Details:
The Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA) is the main professional body for the doctors and researchers working in gastroenterology and hepatology across Australia. It sets the standards for clinical practice in the field and publishes both clinical guidelines and plain-language patient resources to keep care consistent across the country. Learn more about GESA’s mission
GENCA (Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australasia)
National organisation for gastroenterological nurses Based in: Melbourne, Australia
Details:
The Gastroenterological Nurses College of Australasia (GENCA) is the professional body for gastroenterology and endoscopy nurses, and has been the national voice for the field since it formed in 1978. Its focus is the training, professional development, and practice standards of the nurses who care for patients during procedures such as colonoscopies and throughout ongoing IBD care. Learn more about GENCA’s mission
The Gutsy Group
Australian research funding and patient support network Based in: Melbourne, Australia
Details:
The Gutsy Group Foundation is a not-for-profit that raises money for research into Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis: what causes them, how to prevent them, how to manage them, and ultimately how to cure them. Established in 1999, it is run by The Gutsy Group Inc., an incorporated association that acts as the Foundation’s trustee. Learn more about The Gutsy Group’s mission
Hudson Institute of Medical Research: IBD Program
Medical research institute affiliated with Monash, with an active IBD program and clinical trials Based in: Melbourne, Australia
Details:
The Hudson Institute of Medical Research is an ACNC-registered charity affiliated with Monash Health and Monash University. Its researchers are recognised for their work on the gut microbiome and inflammation, and its IBD program spans microbiome science, inflammasome biology, and novel therapeutic development, including a clinical trial of a therapy developed by Associate Professor Rebecca Lim’s team, human amniotic epithelial cell-derived extracellular vesicles (hAEC-EVs), for complex perianal fistulising Crohn’s disease. Learn more about Hudson Institute’s IBD research
Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI): IBD Research
Australia's oldest medical research institute with nine IBD-focused laboratories Based in: Melbourne, Australia
Details:
The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI), founded in 1915, is Australia’s oldest medical research institute. Nine of its laboratories work on IBD, trying to understand why the gut becomes inflamed, what keeps that inflammation going, and how new treatments for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis might bring it under control. Learn more about WEHI’s IBD research
The Gut Foundation
National organisation for gastrointestinal health research and education since 1983 Based in: Sydney, Australia
Details:
The Gut Foundation is a not-for-profit charity founded in 1983, specialising in research and public education across all aspects of gastrointestinal and digestive health. IBD (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) is among the conditions it covers, alongside bowel cancer, coeliac disease, and other gut disorders. The Foundation produces patient-facing health information and is governed by a board of gastroenterologists and health professionals. Learn more about The Gut Foundation
Dietitian Crohn's Colitis Australian Network (DECCAN)
Nutritional care of Australian patients living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) Based in: Australia
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DECCAN is a network of dietitians actively working with Australia’s IBD community, collaborating to improve patient care and outcomes.ANZ Shared Resources
Australia & New Zealand IBD Consortium (ANZIBDC)
Collaborative research across Australia and New Zealand Based in: Australia & New Zealand
Details:
The Australia and New Zealand Inflammatory Bowel Disease Consortium (ANZIBDC) is a network of clinicians, scientists, and industry partners pooling their efforts on IBD research across Australia and New Zealand. Formed in 2008, it links 21 gastroenterology centres and runs a shared biobank, which lets researchers run multi-centre clinical trials, cohort studies, and genetics and phenotyping work, and improve the quality of care for patients in both countries.Online Communities
Australian Crohn's Disease And Ulcerative Colitis Support Group (Facebook)
Online community for Australian IBD patients Based in: Australia
Details:
A Facebook group for Australian and New Zealand people to share and support each other regarding having and living with Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis and other IBD’s. This is an evidence informed group.
Crohn's Disease Australia - A Support group for Australian Crohnnies only (Facebook)
Online community for Australian IBD patients Based in: Australia
Details:
This group is open to anyone and everyone who wants to talk about, share and raise awareness of their own or people that they know and the struggles with Crohns/Colitis….share your experiences, share your thoughts .. let others know that they are not alone.Global Resources
For additional resources available worldwide, please visit our Global Resources page.