Western Australia’s Neurological Workforce: Meeting the Challenge Together

4 December 2025

This article explores how community neurological organisations support continuity of care for people with neurological conditions and play an essential role in Western Australia’s response to neurological workforce pressures.

Many Australians are finding it harder to access neurological care when they need it, with longer waits, fragmented pathways and increasingly complex systems to navigate, especially in regional and remote communities including across Western Australia. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare’s Australian Burden of Disease Study 2024 confirms this trend, noting neurological disorders as one of the leading contributors to disability and health-system use in Australia.

Growing Demand and Disease Burden

These pressures are part of a broader global picture. The World Health Organization’s Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders (IGAP) identifies disorders of the nervous system as the top cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) globally and the second leading cause of death. In Australia, the National Action Plan for Neurological Conditions (NAA Blueprint) estimates that seven million people are affected, contributing over 20% of the nation’s total disease burden—nearly double the global average.

With ABS projections indicating rapid growth in the population aged 65+, and neurological conditions already a leading cause of burden in older Australians, demand for neurological and disability services in Western Australia is expected to intensify significantly over the coming decade.

Neurology Workforce Falling Short

Across Australia, there is a widening mismatch between demand and workforce capacity. The Australian Government’s Department of Health data shows a persistent maldistribution of neurologists, with the majority concentrated in urban centres. Even with projected growth in neurologist numbers, supply will remain below demand without targeted intervention, particularly outside major cities where inequity is most pronounced and wait times are longest.

While increasing the number of neurologists is critical, evidence suggests this alone will not meet future needs. Findings emphasise the need for complementary strategies, such as improving the efficiency of referral and care pathways, expanding the neurology support workforce (including specialist neurological nurses, nurse practitioners and administrative staff), and enhancing training for general practitioners so they can diagnose and manage uncomplicated and common neurological conditions effectively.

The Western Australian Neurological Community Leaders Forum meets quarterly at the Centre for Neurological Support at The Niche, Nedlands

As Western Australia’s community neurological peak body, the Neurological Council of WA advocates for the essential role of not-for-profits in this landscape. Collaborating with 35 organisations through the WA Community Neurological Leaders Forum, the Neurological Council champions the contribution not-for-profits make to delivering accessible and affordable continuity of care for people with neurological conditions and reducing pressure on overstretched specialist health services.

Regional Gaps Deepen the Care Divide

Workforce constraints are felt nationwide, but their impact is sharpest in regional and remote communities, where longer waits, travel distances and limited local options create inequitable access and higher rates of avoidable hospitalisations. Regional areas also have a higher proportion of older adults, further intensifying demand.

This aligns with global IGAP findings, which emphasises that people outside major population centres face greater barriers to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation, contributing to poorer outcomes and higher levels of unmet need.

In Western Australia, geography amplifies these pressures. Working with member organisations, the Neurological Council has coordinated the mapping of community neurological services and support across the state, finding significant gaps in the North West, and in eastern WA, where access to neurologists is scarce and community services are thin. This evidence base underpins advocacy for targeted investment in practical models tailored to Western Australia, including nurse-led supports, telehealth-enabled navigation and integrated community services.

Community Neurological Organisations: Part of the Solution

Across Western Australia, a diverse group of funded and unfunded community neurological organisations form an essential network for people navigating complex care pathways. The Neurological Council, strengthens this network, helping specialised regional and condition-specific organisations to connect, collaborate and innovate to address gaps in neurological care.

As part of this community based safety net, the Neurological Council delivers statewide Community Neurological Nursing services such as NeuroCare, NeuroKids, the TeleNurse Helpline, NeuFriends and the nurse practitioner led Headache and Migraine clinic. While these services cannot replace specialist medical care, they contribute through timely, home-based neuro-nursing assessments, triage and referral. They help stabilise health, facilitate early intervention and secondary prevention, and support individuals and carers through long waits with information, clinical education and ongoing symptom and condition management.

In 2024–25, the Neurological Council’s Community Neurological Nursing services reached 36 regional towns, with a client base of over 2300 patients spread across regional (45%) and metropolitan (55%) WA — demonstrating the value of community-based support in a state where geography alone creates inequity.

Australia’s Primary Health Care 10 Year Plan 2022–2032 reinforces this approach, recognising the importance of access to community-based health professionals. These contributions align strongly with IGAP’s call for integrated, person-centred care and the NAA Blueprint’s emphasis on navigation, early intervention and equitable support across the life course.

Why Continued Investment Matters

Community neurological organisations are a critical part of the solution in a system facing severe and ongoing workforce shortages. Prevention, early intervention, nursing and allied health services, mental health support and system navigation help improve health outcomes and quality of life, slow decline and prevent vulnerable Western Australians from falling through the cracks while waiting for specialist care. Their work eases the burden of disease on hospital and medical services and lowers the risk of adverse health consequences and crisis presentations. Sustained government, philanthropic and corporate investment in community neurological organisations is not only compassionate and socially responsible; it is strategic.

Meeting the Challenge Together

Australia has the evidence, global guidance and a national Blueprint that sets out a practical path forward. The neurological workforce challenge is real — but not insurmountable. With coordinated intersectoral planning, policy leadership and strong collaboration across WA’s neurological community, we can build a system capable of meeting rising demand.

By working together across government, health services, community organisations, business, donors, research and lived experience — we can ensure every Western Australian, whether in Perth, the Great Southern or the far north, has access to the neurological care and support they need, when they need it.