Organisation mission and history.

Our Mission

We are the peak national health body for the prevention, treatment, management and healing of wounds.

Each year, more than 450,000 Australians suffer a wound, and we strive to ensure they receive the best quality wound care possible. More than this, we aim to prevent chronic wounds from occurring, minimising unnecessary suffering and expense.

We exist to reduce the harm caused by wounds through advocacy, education, knowledge-sharing, awareness-raising and the establishment of best practice.

Wounds Australia's work is guided by five key principles:

Our actions are informed by evidence
We collaborate with patients, carers, families, health professionals, governments and industry
We acknowledge the social determinants of health
We are continuously improving
We operate within our code of conduct and in an ethical manner.

Our History

Wounds Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity made up of healthcare professionals, supporters and volunteers who all have one goal in mind – to reduce the harm caused by wounds.

Wounds Australia was previously known as the Australian Wound Management Association (AWMA) before it was nationalised in 2015. AWMA was established in 1994 after a committee to oversee its formation was set up in 1993. Over the years, we have worked hard to forge strong links with other international wound healing societies, and even helped found the World Union of Wound Healing Societies, with the First World Wound Healing Congress held in Melbourne in 2000.

Publications

Wound Practice and Research Journal

The inaugural edition of Primary Intention, the Australian Journal of Wound Management, was published in 1993. The quarterly Journal continues to this day after being renamed Wound Practice and Research (WPR) in 2008. WPR publishes research, clinical practice reviews, guidelines and case studies and is read around the globe. In 2022, the Journal became fully open access, in support of our mission to reduce the harm caused by wounds, and now its contents reach an even broader audience.

WoundConnect

A national newsletter called DeepesTissues began in 2010 in collaboration with the Australian and New Zealand Burn Alliance (ANZBA). Now known as WoundConnect and distributed electronically, it updates Wounds Australia members on the latest news and innovations in the wound care sector, and remains a benefit of membership.

The Gauzette

Our fortnightly eNewsletter, The Gauzette, is distributed to thousands of members and supporters and contains event updates, news alerts, discounts and special offers, and much more. Explore our publications and sign up for our newsletter below.

Conference and Events

The first national conference on wound care, 'Turning Wound Care Upside Down', took place in Perth in 1993 and was the catalyst for both the formation of a national organisation and a subsequent conference, 'Wound Care: a New Course for an Ancient Craft', in Melbourne in 1994. Since then, biennial conferences have been held in each state and territory and continue to attract national and international delegates. A range of educational seminars, study days, roadshows and forums have been held across Australia over the years. These events are now coordinated centrally, with the invaluable assistance of state and territory committees, and a livestreaming option is offered on many events to ensure greater equity of access to expert education for members across Australia, regardless of location.

EXPLORE EVENTS

Our Members

Industry Partners

We value our longstanding relationships with our industry partners, who have generously supported our events and national awareness-raising activities, co-sponsored research and shared their insights and expertise with Wounds Australia members.

MEET OUR PARTNERS