In addition to treatment and psychosocial services, there are a number of eating disorder organisations in Australia with a focus on improving services and outcomes for people experiencing eating disorders. Some of these organisations have a national focus, while others work at a state/territory level.
These organisations can broadly be categorised into two types:
Lived experience/community organisations: organisations that advocate, educate, support, and provide evidence-based information about eating disorders to people with lived experience and their families/supports, as well as to the broader community. Some community organisations also provide clinical services and/or conduct service development activities.
Service development organisations: organisations that focus on upskilling health professionals and services, and/or developing policy to guide health services and policymakers to plan for and effectively respond to eating disorders. Some service development organisations also provide clinical services and/or conduct lived experience activities.
National and state/territory-based eating disorder organisations across these two categories are shown on the map of Australia below.
Figure 1: Map of national and state/territory-based eating disorder service development and lived experience organisations in Australia, current as of August 2023.
Click here to view.
Eating disorder lived experience and service development organisations in Australia are listed below, along with a link to further information about each organisation.
For more detailed information about the organisations listed below, including the broad functions carried out by each organisation, click here.
Lived experience/community organisations
National
The Butterfly Foundation - the national charity for all Australians impacted by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. More information here
Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) - a national not-for-profit run by carers with lived experience, connecting, supporting and educating families and carers of people with eating disorders. More information here
Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia (EDNA) - a not-for-profit organisation whose board members are all neurodivergent folk with lived experience of an eating disorder. We are advocating for better prevention efforts and systemic changes in clinical care for members of the neurodivergent community. More information here
The Embrace Collective is a health promotion charity dedicated to building better body image to achieve optimal physical and mental health. Embrace lead change through programs, settings, and policy change. More information here.
State-based
Eating Disorders Queensland (EDQ) – a not-for-profit organisation providing integrated eating disorder support services to Queensland individuals and families living with and recovering from an eating disorder, their carers and loved ones. More information here
Eating Disorders Victoria (EDV) – a not-for-profit organisation providing support services, information and guidance to people impacted by eating disorders in Victoria. More information here
Luma - For her health and wellbeing: a not-for-profit organisation that specialises in women's health and wellbeing. Luma offers WA's only community-based eating disorder service with a focus on peer support, offering a suite of programs designed to support people of all ages and genders who are impacted by eating disorders.
Service development organisations
National
National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC) – an initiative of the Australian Government dedicated to developing and implementing a nationally consistent, evidence-based system of care for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. NEDC has a key role in fostering national collaboration and national coordination, and reducing duplication across the sector. More information here
Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) - the peak body for eating disorder professionals involved in research, prevention, treatment and advocacy in Australia, New Zealand and beyond. More information here
InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders (IOI) - Australia’s national institute for research and clinical excellence in eating disorders, and lead of the national eating disorder research centre. InsideOut also has a statewide function. More information here
State-based
The Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders (CEED) - a state-wide program of Victoria’s specialist public mental health services managed by North Western Mental Health, committed to the provision of quality services to those with eating disorders and their families. More information here
Qld Eating Disorder Program (EDP), Child and Youth Mental Health Service - the EDP provides assessment and treatment services for families living in the Greater Brisbane area, as well as assessment, treatment, supervision, training and consultation-liaison services statewide. More information here.
Queensland Eating Disorders Service (QuEDS) - a state-wide service dedicated to developing and improving the quality of eating disorders services in Queensland and enabling better access to a range of services for people affected by eating disorders. More information here.
InsideOut Institute for Eating Disorders (IOI) - in addition to its national functions, InsideOut Institute undertakes New South Wales-specific policy development and implementation, and service and workforce development. More information here.
WA Eating Disorders Outreach and Consultation Service (WAEDOCS) - a state-wide service that aims to ensure youth and adults in Western Australia with an eating disorder can access optimal best practice care. More information here.
Perth Children's Hospital Eating Disorders Service (PCH EDS) - the EDS provides MDT outpatient and inpatient care for young people experiencing eating disorders. The team also provide consultation and training to other services, including CAMHS. More information here.
Tasmanian Eating Disorders Service (TEDS) - TEDS is a statewide specialist mental health service, offering assessment, treatment and support for people experiencing eating disorders. TEDS also leads service and workforce development for the state. More information here.
South Australian Statewide Eating Disorders Service (SEDS) - SEDS is a specialised mental health service for South Australians, providing assessment, care and information for people living with an eating disorder. They also help professionals, family and carers and provide evidence based care, education, training, professional liaison and carer support. More information here.
ACT Eating Disorders Clinical Hub ('the Hub') - is the central referral point for eating disorders in the ACT. In addition to providing clinical services, the Hub provide advice, support and training for people and clinicians working with people with eating disorders. More information here.