Kidney Health Australia, formerly known as the Australian Kidney Foundation, was officially registered and opened its first office at 175 Olinga Street, Canberra on 9 August 1968. 

• Awareness and education programs, and kidney community initiatives developed in conjunction with kidney specialists, health professionals and educators to curb the incidence of kidney disease in the Australian community.
• The provision of a network of education, care and support for patients, their families and carers.
• The promotion of organ donation.
• Through our expertise and commitment, we aim to reverse the trend of the rising incidence of kidney disease (read Meeting the Challenge) and to ease the burden of its immense human and financial cost. 

Kidney Health Australia has given a long term commitment to families and children affected by kidney disease, but the biggest challenge remains for us to reach those two million Australians who do not know they have early kidney damage.

Kidney Health Australia has been a Council Member of the International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF) since its creation in 2000 and has done much to help it grow since and contribute to the global kidney community.  Our staff maintain the IFKF website www.ifkf.net and it's unique Inventory of IFKF Member Resources which is used often by health professionals around the world.

We also support World Kidney Day  held annually, 2nd Thursday in March (March 12 2009) to raise awareness about the importance of our kidneys, and spread the message that kidney disease is common, harmful and treatable.  Find out  more about how our kidneys work.

Our Mission Statement

In 2002 the Board decided to totally refresh our structure, image and process, which has proved to be a very wise decision. In January 2003 this process began and soon after Kidney Health Australia was created and a revised Mission Statement formulated.

We are a non-profit organisation with a mission to be the lead organisation promoting kidney and urinary tract health through research, consumer participation, education and health service excellence.

We achieve this by:

• implementing awareness and education programs in conjunction with renal specialists, health professionals and educators to reduce the incidence of kidney disease in the community
• funding cutting edge medical research into cures for kidney and urinary tract disease
• providing a network of education, care and support for patients, their families and carers, promoting organ donation

Our Health Programs

All of the health information, brochures, fact sheets and books that we produce are evidence-based. These resources give precise, up to date information on a wide range of kidney related conditions and treatments.  Read about the Kidney Health Australia Health Services and Programs which we provide every day to the Australian Kidney community. 

Kidney Connect - is our umbrella support program for people with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members. It consists of the following programs:

Kidney Care Program - offers trained Kidney Care volunteers and coordinators conduct a Dialysis Support Service, which provides support and companionship to people undergoing haemodialysis treatment in renal units throughout Australia.

Peer Support Program - supports people living with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their families and carers via TelEconnect. This national telephone and/or email peer support service connects people in need with trained Peer Support Volunteers who have similar experiences.

Camps and Activities Program - Kidney Health Australia Recreation Camps are held for Kidney Kids and adults who have kidney disease, are on dialysis, and/or have received a transplant. Kidney Kids Capers is a three day activity program which includes a Family Fun Day are available in NSW and WA . This program is for Kidney Kids and their brothers or sisters.

Consumer Advocacy Committees are established in each stat.  They identify and are informed of issues affecting individuals living with kidney and urinary tract disease, their families and carers. See Consumer Participation in  How Can I Help? 

This program raises the quality of life for people living with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members through the provisions of information and essential skills and support during each phase of the health and wellness pathway.

Forums are held in various states and aim to provide education and support to people living with kidney disease, kidney donors and recipients, their carers and family members; as well as health professionals.

Kidney Health Australia actively encourages Australians to become organ donors but we do not manage organ and tissue donation registration nor the retrieval and transplantation of organs. All enquiries are referred to the Organ Donor Registry  - Organ Donor Hotline 1800 777 203 for more info.

Recognises and promotes the work carried out by hundreds of people daily in hospitals and medical clinics to assist over 14,000 Australians remain alive on dialysis and transplantation. Operation Angel also recognises the commitment of family, friends and work colleagues of kidney patients.  Dialysis and transplantation are the primary treatment options as there is no cure for end-stage kidney disease.

The continuing shortfall of kidney donors, and simultaneous 6% increase of people on dialysis, is an alarming trend which may result in even more deaths among those waiting for a transplant.  By participating we ask that you spread the message about kidney health and organ donation, the Gift of Life.