An important opportunity for national change
The Australian Government has announced a national Senate Inquiry into epilepsy — a significant opportunity to strengthen understanding, policy, and systems of support for people living with epilepsy.
The Inquiry will examine the current landscape of epilepsy care and identify where improvements are needed across health, education, research, and community support.
👉 View the official Inquiry and Terms of Reference:
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/EpilepsyinAustralia
Why this matters
Epilepsy affects over 250,000 Australians, yet many people continue to experience:
- Delays in diagnosis and access to appropriate care
- Variability in support across regions and systems
- Limited awareness and understanding in the community
- Barriers to accessing emerging treatments and technologies
- Ongoing safety risks, including SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy)
This Inquiry provides a structured pathway to bring these issues forward and contribute to meaningful, system-level improvement.
Why your voice matters
The strength of this Inquiry will depend on the breadth and depth of contributions received.
Submissions are welcomed from:
- People living with epilepsy
- Families and carers
- Clinicians and health professionals
- Educators and workplaces
- Community and advocacy organisations
Sharing lived experience, professional insight, or practical recommendations helps build a clearer picture of what is working — and where change is needed.
How you can get involved
1. Make a submission
You can provide a written submission directly to the Inquiry.
Submissions close 15 May 2026.
👉 Submit via the official Inquiry page:
https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/EpilepsyinAustralia
2. Access submission templates (coming soon)
A series of practical templates is being developed to support:
- Individuals and families
- Clinicians and health professionals
- Organisations and community groups
- Schools and workplaces
These resources will help guide submissions and ensure alignment with the Terms of Reference.
(Templates will be available here shortly.)
3. Learn how to contribute effectively
A dedicated webinar series is available to help guide you through the submission process and provide context on key issues.
🎥 Watch the Senate Inquiry Webinar Series:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCaFMR0KqP676fgnyrxqsc9jLhk9fkYUX
4. Connect with us
Epilepsy Tasmania is working with individuals, clinicians, and organisations to support meaningful contributions to the Inquiry.
If you would like guidance, have questions, or are considering a submission:
📧 senateinquiry@epilepsytasmania.org.au
Our focus
Our focus is to support a thoughtful, coordinated contribution to the Inquiry by:
- Encouraging broad participation across the community
- Supporting clear alignment to the Terms of Reference
- Ensuring lived experience is represented alongside clinical and system perspectives
- Contributing to practical, evidence-informed recommendations
What’s next
This is the first stage of activity to support engagement with the Inquiry.
Further resources will be released shortly, including:
- Submission templates and guidance materials
- Sector-specific resources
- Additional insights to support contributors
A collective opportunity
This Inquiry represents an important opportunity to inform future policy and improve outcomes for people living with epilepsy across Australia.
Contributions of all kinds — large or small — are valuable in helping shape that future.