Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) would like to acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First People and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures, identities, and continuing connection to country, waters, kin, and community. We pay our respects to elders past and present. Storytelling plays an important role in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as a way of passing on knowledge and learning. This resonates strongly with us at EDFA as we believe in the power of storytelling to reduce stigma and generate a greater understanding of the family experience of eating disorders. EDFA is committed to providing a culturally safe workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Recognition of Lived and Living Experience
EDFA recognises and honours those with a lived or living experience of mental ill-health, as well as those who are caring or have cared for individuals with mental ill-health.
EDFA is uniquely positioned to offer this support, as our staff brings a deeply personal understanding to their work. Many of our team members have either lived with an eating disorder themselves or have cared for a loved one with an eating disorder.
EDFA and Our Offering
EDFA is the only national organisation providing support, education, advocacy, and counselling SOLELY for carers and families impacted by an eating disorder.
EDFA is a registered Australian mental health charity established in Melbourne in 2016 by a group of passionate parents who were caring for a child with an eating disorder. Since 2020, our focus has been national and includes all carers and families of individuals of all ages with eating disorders. This includes partners, siblings, grandparents, and friends. EDFA is proud to be the national voice of those caring for someone with an eating disorder.
We believe in the power of lived experience and sharing knowledge with others to reduce the distress the whole family endures.
Lived experience is the foundation of all four of the organisation’s
services – support, education, advocacy, and counselling – and the organisation believes families and carers should be recognised for their central role as the front line of the recovery team.
The organisation takes an unbiased approach to treatment, clinicians, and pathways of care, understanding that every recovery journey is different and what may work for one family may not work for another. Through research and our support, education, and evidence-based counselling services grounded in the lived experience of those who have been through it before, we help families navigate a complex system to improve recovery outcomes.
EDFA is committed to offering inclusive support for eating disorder carers, serving individuals from all cultural, gender, religious, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds.
Our Offering
Through its nationwide offering, EDFA empowers carers and families to advocate for their loved ones, while equipping them with the tools and knowledge they need to fulfil their vital recovery role.
EDFA recognises the significant challenges faced by families and carers everywhere, including regional and remote areas of Australia.
The organisation’s strategic intent is to address each of these barriers –psychosocial, geographical, and financial – through thoughtful service design.
EDFA’s offering for eating disorder carers includes:
National Online Support Groups
Regular general and tailored support groups for adult carers facilitated by trained, livedexperience carers.
Online Support Forum
Private Facebook group for online peer support and daily connection in a safe and supportive environment.
EDucation Webinars
Two education webinars each month, featuring presentations from eating disorder experts and lived experience speakers, available to EDFA members.
Fill The Gap Counselling Service
Free, one-on-one, online counselling delivered by qualified counsellors with lived experience for those aged 10+. No waitlists or session caps. Referrals are not required.
Podcasts
Monthly Strong Enough podcasts, featuring lived-experience carers, research leaders, and specialists in education, advocacy, and self-care.
Advocacy
EDFA advocates for eating disorder carers by amplifying their voices in critical decision-making spaces, including government consultations, sector leadership forums, and public hearings. We also empower carers by providing them with information and opportunities to participate in important advocacy campaigns and shape crucial policies, such Australia’s social media reforms and the National Carer Strategy 2024-2034.
Annual Membership
EDFA offers Individual membership ($35 p.a.) and Family membership ($55 p.a.) options. Membership provides essential support and resources to eating disorders carers including: a Welcome Pack; access to over 90 support groups and education webinars per year; access to more than 180 hours of webinar recordings; access to digital educational resources; and monthly mindfulness and meditation sessions.
Research and Evaluation
Through our research and evaluation work, EDFA regularly contributes to the eating disorder evidence base.
Eating Disorders and the Eating Disorder Landscape
Eating Disorders
Eating disorders are a group of serious, complex, and life-threatening mental illnesses often characterised by disturbances in behaviours, thoughts, and attitudes about food, eating, and body weight, shape, and exercise.
Eating disorders have detrimental impacts upon a person’s life and result in serious medical, psychiatric, and psychosocial consequences.
While eating disorders have historically been perceived to primarily impact women and girls,
the reality is they impact individuals of different gender identities, racial, cultural, linguistic and ethnic backgrounds, physiologies, ages, socioeconomic statuses, and locations.
EDFA's services are more crucial than ever, given that one in five adolescent boys and one in three adolescent girls now show signs of disordered eating.1
The Eating Disorder Landscape
The Challenges We Face
The prevalence of eating disorders in Australia remains unacceptably high.
Ongoing social shifts, particularly the growing dominance of social media in everyday life, have introduced relentless challenges for people vulnerable to eating disorders. Research shows that constant online exposure to appearance-driven content, unrealistic beauty ideals, and algorithm-driven comparisons can intensify body dissatisfaction and disordered eating. 2
Simultaneously, shifting cultural norms around technology, increasing pressure to curate an online identity, and the rapid spread of social trends have added new layers of complexity to how eating disorders develop and are maintained.
The ripple effects extend outwards to those around the person living with the eating disorder, including parents, siblings, partners and spouses, extended family members, friends, and colleagues.
In EDFA’s May 2025 national Carer Experience Survey, Australian eating disorder carers told us:
76.5%
Rated their wellbeing as ‘fair’ or ‘poor’
78.7%
Said their wellbeing had reduced as a result of being a carer
11.0%
Had not considered their wellbeing at all
EDFA’s focus on lived experience – both from carers and recovered individuals – is seen as core to its trustworthiness. Carers described feeling understood, not just helped, and found the lived experience of EDFA staff/counsellors deeply validating.3
The Essentials
Prevention, early intervention, better treatment options, and a greater focus on relapse prevention are essential for both the person with the eating disorder and their families. Greater community awareness and a reduction in stigma are also needed to ensure families receive the support they need.
Refer to page 42 for references.
Facts
01.
At least 1.1 million Australians are currently living with an eating disorder, which means 1.1 million families are impacted by an eating disorder.4 02.
Families and carers of those living with an eating disorder often experience significantly worse psychological health and poorer physical health. 03.
Families and carers are at the front line of care and crucial to their loved one's recovery.
Eating Disorder Prevalence
Current estimates suggest that 4.45% of Australians have an eating disorder diagnosis, equating to 1.1 million Australians, while 1.7 million Australians will be diagnosed with an eating disorder in their lifetime. Most diagnoses occur during adolescence, with highest prevalence in those aged 15-19. Women are disproportionally affected, accounting for two-thirds of eating disorder diagnoses. 5
Cost to Society
There are extensive social and economic costs associated with eating disorders. The most recent estimates suggest that the total economic and social cost of eating disorders in Australia was $67 billion, up 36% since 2012, and equivalent to $60,654 per person with an eating disorder.6
Costs are borne by individuals, employers, and the government/health systems.
Public Investment
Research has identified a range of successful interventions for eating disorder prevention and early intervention, but public investment in Australia is low.
For example, in Queensland, an average of $681 is spent for each eating disorder episode of care, significantly lower than for other mental illnesses (anxiety disorders = $1,065 per episode, depressive disorders = $2,549 per episode).7
Successful recovery is often dependent on dedicated involvement from carers. However, recognition and support of carers in Australia is inadequate. Much of the increased eating disorder funding from the Federal and some State Governments is focused on the person with the eating disorder, with few funds dedicated specifically for carer support.
This is even though there is a growing body of evidence – including EDFA’s own evaluation work – about effective strategies to support eating disorder carers. 8
Impact on Families and Carers
The escalating prevalence of eating disorders is placing increasing and unsustainable pressure on families and carers. This pressure is significantly exacerbated by the scarcity of well-funded eating disorder prevention and treatment interventions nationwide.
This critical situation underscores the urgent need to prioritise and improve support for the whole family unit. Evidence consistently
shows that when carers are appropriately supported, their capacity to provide care is strengthened, which in turn leads to improved eating disorder outcomes for their loved one. Investing in carer support is therefore a crucial lever for improving overall system effectiveness and patient recovery.9
2024 Carer Catch Up in Melbourne for National Carers Week.
The launch of Nourish, Nurture, Notice at Parliament House in Canberra, supported by Federal Assistant Minister for Mental Health Emma McBride and The Embrace Collective.
FY24/25 Highlights
Message from Executive Director
This year has marked a turning point for families and carers across Australia. The passing of landmark social media reform legislation - restricting access for children under 16 - was a hard-won victory that will help protect the mental health of young people. It followed strong advocacy from EDFA, parents, and mental health advocates, and stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when we work together.
Another important step forward was the launch of the National Carer Strategy 2024-2034 in December 2024. As a member of the National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee, EDFA was proud to ensure the unique needs of eating disorder carers were represented in this national framework to guide support for carers across Australia.
For Eating Disorders Families Australia, 2024/25 has been a year of significant growth and deepened impact. The launch of our Nourish, Nurture, Notice prevention and early intervention program - co-designed with parents and The Embrace Collective - has given families
new tools to identify and act on early signs of disordered eating. We also expanded our reach, delivering more than 100 online support groups, providing over 2,500 counselling sessions, and welcoming a record number of new members.
This year has been about strengthening existing supports and laying the groundwork for lasting change so that we can build a future where every family has the knowledge, tools, and support they need from the very first signs of concern.
The following highlights reflect this work.
Highlights 2024
JUL
– EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan makes her first quarterly visit to South Australia from July 22-24 following the South Australian Government’s announcement of two years of funding for the organisation.
– The Queensland Government confirms three years of funding for EDFA, including the development of its first prevention and early intervention program, Nourish, Nurture, Notice, in collaboration with The Embrace Collective.
– Free EDFA membership is now available to carers in South Australia and Queensland through state government support.
– The Helen and David Hains Foundation announces its support for EDFA to produce specific resources for the younger siblings of people living with an eating disorder.
– Freya Shaw is appointed as EDFA Treasurer on July 8.
– EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan appears before the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society on July 10.
AUG
– The Newbies Support Group is expanded to include people who have been caring for someone with an eating disorder for less than two years. It was previously less than one year.
– A second Support Group for carers of people living with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is introduced to meet growing demand in this area.
– Kate Parsons is appointed to the EDFA Board on August 12.
– EDFA attends the Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) Conference in Auckland, New Zealand, from August 22-24.
SEP
– EDFA welcomes Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s announcement of plans to prevent children under 16 from accessing social media, having advocated strongly for the reform.
– Counselling for Young Supporters (aged 10-17) is offered through the Fill The Gap counselling service from September 16.
– EDFA is accepted as a full member of Mental Health Australia on September 23.
OCT
– EDFA works collaboratively with the Eating Disorder Alliance to secure the banning of compounded versions of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) weight loss medications by pharmacists on October 1.
– EDFA celebrates National Carers Week 2024 (October 13-19), hosting in-person coffee catch-ups in Melbourne and Dandenong, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane, Launceston, and Canberra.
– EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan attends the Social Media Summits in Sydney on October 10 and Adelaide on October 11.
– A tailored Grandparents Support Group is launched.
– Freya Shaw resigns as EDFA Treasurer on October 23.
– The 2024 Carer Feedback Survey results are released, which include a finding that 94.9% of carers would recommend or strongly recommend EDFA to a friend or family member going through a similar situation.
NOV
– EDFA is named as a winner of one of Women & Change’s $50,000 grants to establish a pilot Hospital Liaison Officer project at several Brisbane hospitals to provide support and information to families who have a loved one admitted for eating disorder treatment.
DEC
– EDFA achieves accreditation to the National Safety & Quality Digital Mental Health Standards.
– EDFA holds its Annual General Meeting on December 9. Deputy Board Chair Jennifer Paterson resigns from the EDFA Board.
– EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan attends the launch of the National Carer Strategy 2024-2034 in Adelaide on December 10 as a member of the National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee.
Highlights 2025
JAN
– EDFA starts providing FREE translation services for its online support groups and live EDucation webinars, thanks to the support of the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National).
– EDFA wins a grant from LotteryWest in Western Australia to appoint a WAbased Support Program Coordinator to better support eating disorder carers in that state.
– Former EDFA Board Chair David Garvey and former founding member and EDucation Manager Lynn Garvey are inducted as EDFA Life Members.
FEB
– The Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP, holds an event to inform parliamentarians about the upcoming launch of EDFA prevention and early intervention program, Nourish, Nurture, Notice, in Parliament House in Canberra on February 5.
– Liza Nadolski is appointed as EDFA Company Secretary on February 10.
MAR
– EDFA holds its annual InPerson Operations Team Meeting in Melbourne from March 24-25.
– EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan speaks at the Women & Change Launch Event at Queensland Parliament on March 13, outlining the progress of the Hospital Liaison Officer project.
– EDFA launches its first specific Anorexia Support Group and its first support group aimed at WA carers.
APR
– EDFA prevention and early intervention program, Nourish, Nurture, Notice, is officially launched at Queensland Parliament on April 2. Queensland Assistant Minister for Mental Health Donna Kirkland speaks at the event, which is also attended by Health Minister Tim Nicholls and many stakeholders from the eating disorder sector.
– On April 14, Amanda Neave is appointed to the EDFA Board and Sandra Cox is appointed as EDFA Treasurer.
MAY
– EDFA’s Resources for Younger Siblings is launched.
– Hospital Liaison Officer projects begins with Ramsay Health’s New Farm Clinic on May 9.
– A strategy session is held for the Let Them Be Kids advocates in Sydney on May 13 to discuss next steps to ensure the Federal Government’s planned social media reform legislation is implemented fully and to greatest effect.
– On May 19, Nicholas Steele resigns from the EDFA Board and former National Eating Disorders Collaboration National Director Dr Beth Shelton is appointed to the Board.
– EDFA attends the Australian Eating Disorders Research and Translation Centre Think Tank in Sydney on May 29-30.
JUN
– On June 9, EDFA Board Chair David Quilty resigns from the Board after six years of service. Dr Beth Shelton is elected as Board Chair.
– EDFA's third annual Recharge 4 Recovery fundraising campaign is held with supporters encouraged to paint their nails purple for the month of June. Nearly $49,000 was raised.
– The Helen and David Hains Foundation announces a second year of support for EDFA, agreeing to fund the ‘Strong Enough’ book project.
– EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan attends Mental Health Australia’s Policy Forum in Canberra on June 24 to contribute to discussions about the next Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Strategy.
Our Board Of Directors
Words from Acting Chair
It has been a successful and busy year for EDFA. We have expanded our services for families and carers and strengthened our governance as EDFA has grown as an organisation.
This was the first full year of our Fill the Gap counselling service, which continues to experience strong demand and high levels of satisfaction. We have expanded our online support groups to be more targeted to individual eating disorders and to particular points of their caring journey.
We were very pleased to receive funding from the Queensland and South Australian Governments, which has enabled us to broaden our presence and localise our support services. We greatly appreciate the ongoing support of the Federal Government, including its further contribution to the funding of our online support groups.
Led by our Executive Director, Jane Rowan, EDFA focussed strongly on advocacy during 2024/25. Jane played a key role in the decision to legislate an age limit on social media access, recognising the detrimental impact that digital platforms can have on children with or at risk of eating disorders. We held our second function at Parliament House in Canberra, again hosted by the Speaker, Milton Dick, who is a great supporter of EDFA. 2024/25 saw a renewed focus on building partnerships. The Eating Disorder Alliance strengthened its role as a united voice for consumers, carers, and health professionals. EDFA’s
partnership with The Embrace Collective resulted in the development of Nourish, Nurture, Notice – Australia’s first-ever online prevention program focused on helping parents to identify disordered eating and intervene early to prevent eating disorders in young people.
At the Board level, our Deputy Chair, Jennifer Paterson, retired during 2024/25. Jennifer made an incredible contribution during her nearly three years on the Board and was a trusted sounding board for me as Acting Chair. We also brought on our first Company Secretary, Liza Nadolski, and established the Finance and Risk Committee chaired by Janis Carren.
After six years on the EDFA Board, I have taken the decision to retire and wish to thank everyone involved in EDFA, including my fellow directors, the talented and hard-working staff, our exceptional volunteers, and our general and loyal philanthropic partners and donors.
I am very pleased Dr Beth Shelton has agreed to take on the role of Chair. As National Director of the National Eating Disorders Collaboration, Beth led the work developing the 2023-2033 National Eating Disorders Strategy, which is the seminal blueprint for eating disorders in Australia. Beth is universally respected in the sector, and it is a privilege to pass the baton to her.
David Quilty Acting Chair
Our Team
The organisation is supported by a largely part-time workforce, equating to 12.4 full-time equivalent staff, assisted by a small army of volunteers.
Our Board
EDFA is governed by a Board of Directors, the majority of whom have lived experience as an eating disorder carer.
The Board is committed to supporting families and carers of people with an eating disorder.
– David Quilty, Acting Chair
– Jennifer Paterson, Deputy Chair
– Jane Rowan, Executive Director
– Fiona Mitchell, Director
– Prof Genevieve Pepin, Director
– Janis Carren, Director
– Nick Steele, Director
Leadership Team
– Jane Rowan, Executive Director
– Elise Wales, Fill The Gap Program Manager
– Alex Kisilevich, National Education Manager
– Tracey Adamson, National Marketing and Communications Manager
Team
– Sallie Egglestone, National Support Program Volunteer Coordinator
– Lindsay Snell, Support Program Administration Assistant
– Nhi Nguyen, Marketing and Communications Coordinator
– Rowena Brookes, Fill The Gap Counsellor
– Alisha Mah, Fill The Gap Counsellor
– Mark Hill, Fill The Gap Counsellor
– Dr Palmyra De Banks, Director
Kathryn Hutchins, Director
– Kate Parsons, Director
Amanda Neave, Director
– Liza Nadolski, Company Secretary
– Sandra Cox, Treasurer
– Laura Zuber, National Support Program Manager
– Jaimie Robertson, National Partnerships Manager
Sarah Warner, Finance Manager
– Kellie Hansen, Fill The Gap Counsellor
– Bailey Wightman, Fill The Gap Administration Assistant
– Laura McCosker, Research and Evaluation Assistant
– Sabine McKenzie, WA Support Program Coordinator
– Marianne Edmonds, Hospital Liaison Officer
Our Committees
At June 30, 2025, EDFA had three committees comprising Research; Grants; and Finance, Audit and Risk.
Research Committee
The Research Committee of Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA) supports, guides, and oversees research activities that align with EDFA’s mission to support and advocate for families and carers of individuals living with eating disorders. The Committee ensures that research undertaken or supported by EDFA is ethically sound, methodologically rigorous, relevant to families and carers, and contributes meaningfully to improved understanding, treatment, and support systems.
The Committee includes leading eating disorder researchers from Deakin University, The University of Melbourne, Western Sydney University, Queensland Health Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services, and Flinders University. It also includes EDFA’s Research and Evaluation Assistant, the Fill The Gap Program Manager, and the Executive Director.
Systematic Review
Angie Sloan has led a systematic review titled Diagnostic crossover from picky eating and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) to other eating disorders: A systematic review. The authors are Angie Sloan, Chris Fowler, Jane Rowan, Genevieve Pepin and Laura McCosker
– The review was presented at the 2025 London Eating Disorders Conference.
EDFA staff members completed the evaluation of the Fill The Gap program. Their paper is titled ‘Fill The Gap – An Australian-first online counselling program for the carers of people with an eating disorder: Longitudinal, mixedmethods results from the first nine months.’ The authors are Laura McCosker, Chris Fowler, Elise Wales, Rowena Brookes, Alisha Armstrong, Angie Sloan, Jane Rowan, and Genevieve Pepin.
– The evaluation was presented at the 2025 London Eating Disorders Conference.
– The evaluation of the first 28 months will be presented at 2025 Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) conference.
FY25 Research Committee Highlights
The Research Committee has continued to strengthen EDFA’s research activities and outputs in 2024/25.
Honours projects
Edwina Williams completed her Honours degree at the University of Melbourne. Edwina was supervised by A/Professor Isabel Krug and Dr Lyza Norton from the University of Melbourne.
She completed a qualitative study exploring the experiences of carers of a loved one with ARFID who participated in the ARFID Carer Support Group run by Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA). Twenty participants completed an online survey and semi-structured interview.
The analysis revealed five interrelated themes that illustrate the complex experiences of ARFID caregivers. First, the life-changing nature of caregiving emerged, with participants describing the significant burden and psychological distress associated with supporting a loved one. Second, the theme of treatment and understanding of ARFID underscored the limited awareness of the condition among both family members and health professionals, often leaving caregivers without adequate guidance. Third, shared social identity and peer interactions highlighted how group participation reduced loneliness and validated caregiving approaches, while also acknowledging challenges such as managing dominant voices or confronting the difficult stories of others. Fourth, learning from the experiences of others emphasised the importance of information exchange and the value of facilitators with lived experience in fostering trust and relatability. Finally, the broader impact of group attendance illustrated positive ripple effects, not only for caregivers but also for their loved ones and families more broadly.
– Edwina has written a journal manuscript, and her supervisers are continuing the publication process.
– Her work will be presented at the 2025 ANZAED conference.
Katie Yates is undertaking her Honours project exploring the link between long-term impacts of caring for someone with an eating disorders and potential association with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She is supervised by Professor Genevieve Pepin and Dr. Rachel Knight from Deakin University. Katie’s project uses mixed methods that include interviews and survey data. Her project will be completed at the end of October 2025. A manuscript will be developed as well as a full thesis.
Carer survey ethics exemption approval
An ethics exemption was approved to use the results of EDFA’s Carer Experience Surveys in research and related publications.
The EDFA staff analysed data about social media from the care survey. The analysis is titled: “Keep it away from kids ” Eating disorder carers’ perceptions of social media and mandatory minimum age restrictions on social media in Australia’. The authors are Laura McCosker, Jane Rowan, and Genevieve Pepin.
– The poster will be presented at 2025 ANZAED conference.
Future research activities
The Research Committee is planning further research activities. A list of projects and research priorities has been identified and will guide the Committee’s activities.
Prof Genevieve
Pepin
EDFA Research Committee Chair
Finance, Risk and Audit Committee
The Finance, Risk, and Audit Committee plays a pivotal role in safeguarding EDFA’s financial integrity and operational resilience. Its core purpose is to support the EDFA Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities across three key domains: Financial Reporting Integrity, Risk Management and Internal Controls, and Audit Oversight and Compliance.
In 2024/25, the Committee actively scrutinised EDFA’s financial performance, oversaw the development of the Annual Budget for Board consideration and approval, endorsed a new Cash Management Policy, and reviewed monthly financial reports. It also assessed operational and strategic risks, ensuring robust internal controls and compliance frameworks were in place to support EDFA’s mission.
Grants Committee
The Grants Committee exists to secure funding that enables EDFA to deliver and expand its programs in line with our mission to support families and carers impacted by eating disorders. The Committee identifies and pursues funding opportunities, develops high-quality applications, and ensures that proposals align closely with EDFA’s priorities.
In 2024/25, the Committee was instrumental in securing several significant grants. The Women & Change grant ($50,000) will fund a Hospital Liaison Service in Queensland, providing direct, in-hospital support to families during the most critical phases of treatment and recovery. The LotteryWest grant (up to $80,000) will support the employment of a Perth-based Support Program Coordinator to establish and strengthen carer support groups in Western Australia, responding to needs consistently highlighted in our Carer Feedback Surveys. With support from the Helen and David Hains Foundation ($60,000), EDFA will also produce a book of carer stories that will provide hope and reinforce the message that recovery from an eating disorder is possible. In addition, the Committee supported work with Queensland Health to secure an increase in funding ensuring expanded training and clinical expertise will be available for carers in the years ahead.
This year also saw the appointment of new independent advisers, further strengthening the Committee’s expertise and enhancing its capacity to provide rigorous oversight and strategic guidance to the EDFA management team as it navigates its ongoing strategic growth.
Janis Carren Chair, Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee
These achievements reflect the Committee’s strong collaboration with the EDFA Board and Executive and highlight the importance of sustained fundraising efforts to strengthen services nationwide. The Grants Committee is comprised of dedicated volunteers, Vesna Stefanovski and Lynn Sweeney, whose expertise and commitment have been central to these outcomes.
It is a privilege to work alongside Vesna and Lynn on the Grants Committee and to see our efforts translate into meaningful outcomes for carers and families across Australia. The generosity of our funders allows EDFA to innovate and expand its impact, and we look forward to continuing this important work in the year ahead.
Fiona Mitchell Chair, EDFA Grants Committee
Committee Members
Research Committee
– Professor Genevieve Pepin, Deakin University (Chair)
– Associate Professor Isabel Krug, The University of Melbourne
– Dr Lyza Norton, The University of Melbourne
– Dr Simon Wilksch, Flinders University
– Dr Marianne Wyder, Metro South Health
– Jane Rowan, EDFA
– Laura McCosker, EDFA
– Elise Wales, EDFA
Finance, Audit, and Risk Committee
– Janis Carren (Chair)
– Sandra Cox
– Jane Rowan
– Sarah Warner
– Matthew Cheal
Grants Committee
– Fiona Mitchell (Chair)
– Jane Rowan
– Vesna Stefanovski
– Lynn Sweeney
Our Strategy
Purpose
EDFA is committed to improving the lives of eating disorder carers through focused efforts in leadership, education, and research.
We strive to build stigma-free communities where carers are acknowledged for their vital role and can access the support they need through EDFA. By empowering carers to navigate the complexities of their caring roles, we facilitate better outcomes for families living with an eating disorder.
Mission
To enable families and carers to be effective supports and recognised as central members of the recovery team for a loved one with an eating disorder.
Vision
Families and carers impacted by an eating disorder are recognised, supported, educated, and empowered.
EDFA’s strategic vision remains bold and deeply grounded in our belief that every family touched by an eating disorder deserves compassion, practical support, and a clear pathway to recovery. Since launching our 202428 Strategic Plan, we have taken significant steps toward this vision by expanding our programs, growing our national footprint, and ensuring the voices of families and carers are central to policy decisions.
By 2029, we want every family impacted by an eating disorder to receive timely, effective, and coordinated support from all parts of the system, including health care professionals, governments, schools, workplaces, and the wider community. We are committed to ensuring that families and carers are recognised as central to treatment and recovery, regardless
of the age of their loved one, and that their knowledge and expertise are valued and respected.
EDFA continues to champion the full implementation of the National Eating Disorders Strategy, with a focus on embedding its stepped system of care and ensuring equitable access across every state and territory. We are working in partnership with sector colleagues to drive systemic change, reduce duplication of services, and deliver better outcomes for all those impacted by eating disorders.
Our Strategic Plan is a promise to families and carers that we will continue to amplify their voices, advocate for reform, and deliver programs that provide hope and practical help.
Values
EDFA's values inform the way we work and deliver on our 2024-2028 Strategic Plan.
The most important value, reflecting the long-standing core principles of the EDFA community, is Hope.
Hope
Underpinning everything we do is a strong belief we can make a difference to the lives of carers. We know recovery is possible for those living with eating disorders.
Empathy
We are best placed to support families and carers guided by our own lived experience journeys.
Innovation
We are focused on continuous improvement in our activities, in supporting carers, and in evidenceinformed services for those living with eating disorders.
Respect
We are member- and carer-focused, respectful, and compassionate.
Collaboration
We collaborate with stakeholders, we are inclusive, we embrace the value of diversity, and we create and faithfully represent our constituency.
Integrity
We are credible, a sound investment, honest, transparent, and reliable. We embrace researchinformed, quality methods.
EDFA staff gather in Melbourne in February 2025 for two days of strategy planning for the year ahead.
Our Organisational Goals by 2028
01
The National Peak Organisation for Eating Disorder Carers
– Increase awareness of EDFA among carers, clinicians, researchers, government, and the public.
– Collaboration with national and state eating disorder organisations.
02
Skilled and Resilient Carers
– Well-subscribed EDFA services established in all Australian states and territories.
– Establishment of prevention and early intervention programs to help families and carers reduce the amount of time it takes to recover from an eating disorder.
– Advocate at the state and national level for broader support for carers during treatment and recovery.
– Sufficient resources and services to enable carers to quickly and easily navigate the healthcare system.
03
Improve Treatment and Supports
– Contribute to research addressing carers’ lived experience and role in treatment and recovery.
– Advocate for the closure of treatment gaps and inclusion of carers in the treatment team regardless of the loved one’s age.
– Community education campaigns.
– Support translation of innovative research into practice with valuable stakeholder input.
Strategic Approach
We envisage a future where families and carers receive comprehensive support to assist a loved one through eating disorder recovery and where their vital role at the front line of the recovery team is recognised and acknowledged not only by the other members of that team, but by our communities.
For too long, eating disorders have been misunderstood - often dismissed as a choice or a phase. But as society’s understanding of mental health grows, so too does the recognition that eating disorders are complex, serious mental illnesses. They are not simply about food or weight but arise from an interplay of biopsychosocial factors. As the stigma around mental illness lessens, there is a growing movement to include eating disorders in the same conversation. EDFA welcomes this shift, as it is vital to ensuring carers and their loved ones receive the understanding, compassion, and tailored care they need and deserve.
Strategic Pillars
Impact
Investing in essential, scalable programs and activities to create a real impact on the ability of our carers to support a loved one through eating disorder recovery.
Influence
Becoming a leading and trusted voice to positively influence the systems and relationships that determine a carer’s ability to effectively manage and maintain their role at the front line of the recovery team.
Sustainability
Strengthening our position as a sustainable charity that has adequate resources to support our strategic goals and vision.
EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan catches up with EDFA carers Kylie and Kelley at the launch of the Nourish, Nurture, Notice Program.
Our Community
Eating Disorder Carers
EDFA recognises that each eating disorder caring situation is unique and that no two people - those giving care or those receiving care - are the same.
A carer can be anybody who provides personal care or support to an individual experiencing an eating disorder. Carers mirror the diversity of the Australian population, and include people of different ages, genders, cultural and socio-economic groups and locations. Care relationships can be shortterm, long-term, temporary, or episodic.
EDFA also recognises that many people do not identify as carers regardless of the significant support and assistance they give to a person with an eating disorder.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Emerging research informs us that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience eating disorders and body image issues at like rates to other people in Australia.
It is estimated that 30% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience an eating disorder.
EDFA has taken active steps to ensure that our offering is accessible to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a multitude of ways including:
– All services are available online, thereby making them accessible to many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in rural, regional, and metro areas across Australia.
– Our entire offering, aside from annual membership, is free, including our Fill The Gap counselling service offering virtual counselling sessions.
– All EDFA staff have undertaken cultural training to ensure we understand the key cultural differences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and that our offering is culturally appropriate.
EDFA recognises the need for culturally appropriate eating disorder carer support and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, that increase access and engagement in services and ultimately contribute to improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We will continue to engage with stakeholders who share this desire to improve our service offering for this community.
EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan and carer Kelley Robertson joined ABC Radio Brisbane in April to talk about Eating Disorders Families Australia's new online eating disorder prevention program, Nourish, Nurture, Notice.
Our Services
Support
EDFA's Support Program is a vital resource for carers navigating the eating disorder recovery journey. It provides a safe, lived experience space for connection, validation, and hope, with the program's reach expanding significantly in the last year to support more carers and their families.
In the 2024/25 financial year, EDFA conducted 104 online support groups, serving 689 unique carers. EDFA achieved strong growth, increasing its reach to carers by 8% this financial year, which demonstrates the rising demand for peer-led, lived experience support. The groups are facilitated by trained volunteers who have personal experience as eating disorder carers, creating a supportive environment specifically for carers. To increase accessibility, EDFA introduced support groups for the Western Australia time zone in March 2025, ensuring nationwide access at convenient times.
Our private Facebook group continued to be a crucial hub for community support. With daily moderation by our volunteer team, the group added 432 new members, reaching a total of
2,340 members by June 2025. Carers describe the group as a place of safety and strength where they can share experiences, gain insights, and find hope through shared stories.
To better tailor our service to specific carer needs, in line with the National Carer Strategy, we added new support groups for Partners, Grandparents, and a dedicated Anorexia Support Group, allowing these carers to share their unique perspectives.
A key development in the Support Program was the pilot of Australia's first Hospital Liaison Officer, based in Queensland. This role has strengthened continuity of care by connecting families with essential support services during the critical stages of a loved one's hospital admission and discharge. This wraparound model ensures no carer feels isolated during this challenging period.
EDucation
Webinars
We were proud to host many informative clinical webinars for EDFA carer members, on important topics such as treatment for Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) with Rachael Wilson and Copeland Winten, and medications to support recovery with Dr Warren Ward.
Additionally, we provided a safe platform to share the lived experience stories of both those who have recovered from an eating disorder, as well as their carers, such as Eva Musby and Roses in the Ocean.
Sibling and Parent Toolkits
With the generous support of the Helen and David Hains Foundation, EDFA has developed dedicated resources to support siblings of individuals with an eating disorder. The Sibling toolkit offers validation for the challenges siblings may be experiencing and empowers siblings to identify and understand their emotions, and develop coping strategies to manage concerns about their sibling’s health.
The accompanying Parent Toolkit offers insight into the sibling experience and strategies for parents to offer effective support. This resource is designed to make parents feel less alone, more informed, and better equipped for the road ahead.
All of these toolkits are available for free on our website as a downloadable PDF. Carers and clinicians can also order hard copies free of charge.
Nourish, Nurture, Notice
Developed in collaboration with The Embrace Collective, and proudly supported by the Queensland Government, Nourish, Nurture, Notice commenced in 2025, providing vital education and resources to enable recognition of, and response to, the early signs of disordered eating to prevent the development of an eating disorder. Nourish, Nurture, Notice is Australia’s firstever free online prevention program for parents and carers focused on the early identification of disordered eating to prevent eating disorders in young people.
It includes access to a 30-minute Masterclass, as well as online sessions for parents to meet with a paediatric dietitian and carer peer worker to ask questions related to their loved one’s disordered eating and get expert advice around next steps to seek treatment or assistance for their child if needed.
What’s ahead?
We have many exciting initiatives coming in 2025-26, including making our webinar library available to clinicians through a paid subscription.
Advocacy
In 2024/25, EDFA strengthened its national voice for families and carers, influencing key reforms that will shape the future of eating disorder care and prevention.
One of the most significant outcomes was the passing of landmark social media reform legislation, restricting access for children under 16. EDFA played a prominent role in this debate, with Executive Director Jane Rowan appearing before the Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society, supporting News Corp’s successful Let Them Be Kids campaign, and amplifying the voices of carers - 81% of whom told us social media contributed to their loved one’s eating disorder or hampered recovery. We continue to work with advocates to ensure the legislation is fully implemented and backed by robust age-verification measures and education for parents and young people.
EDFA was also proud to contribute to the development of the National Carer Strategy, launched in December 2024. As a member of the National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee, Jane ensured the unique needs of eating disorder carers were represented in this vital, new framework.
Through the Eating Disorders Alliance, EDFA worked collaboratively to secure the banning of compounded versions of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) by pharmacists on
October 1, 2024. The alliance is advocating for responsible prescribing and monitoring of GLP-1 medications, particularly via Telehealth, calling for safeguards to protect those at risk of developing an eating disorder and for prescriber education to prevent harm.
EDFA was actively involved in the development of the Western Australian Eating Disorders Framework 2025-2030. This framework outlines the state’s strategic priorities across prevention, early intervention, treatment, and support services for people experiencing or at risk of eating disorders, their families and significant others. EDFA's involvement, which included written and verbal participation in the consultation process, helped embed a person and familycentered approach throughout the framework. This perspective is vital for challenging traditional clinical models and ensuring that services are compassionate, trauma-informed, and focused on the needs of the whole family.
Finally, EDFA contributed to national policy discussions through participation in Mental Health Australia’s Policy Forum, continuing to press for greater recognition of eating disorders as well as carer inclusion and resourcing across the mental health system.
EDFA Executive Director, Jane Rowan, at the Mental Health Australia Policy Forum (June 2025).
EDFA Executive Director Jane Rowan with Members of Parliament at Parliament House in Canberra.
Counselling
The Fill The Gap (FTG) counselling service expanded and evolved throughout FY24/25, increasing its reach and impact across Australia. During FY25, FTG provided 2,517 counselling sessions to 314 carers, providing them with essential strategies to manage their caring journeys.
In September 2024, eligibility for FTG counselling was broadened to include young supporters aged 10–17 years. This change has enabled young people (such as siblings, friends, young partners, extended family members, and children of a parent with an eating disorder) to access individual counselling and receive support tailored to their unique experiences.
In January 2025, a second full-time counsellor joined FTG, followed by the addition of a parttime counsellor based in Western Australia in March 2025. This growth has allowed the program to offer more sessions across the week, including additional after-hours appointments.
In June 2025, FTG counsellors undertook training in the Collaborative Care Skills Workshop (CCSW) model, an evidence-based group program that helps eating disorder carers build knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to support recovery while looking after their own wellbeing. From August 2025, FTG will begin offering CCSW groups alongside individual counselling to further equip carers and supporters with evidence-based skills and strategies to support their loved one’s recovery.
Analysis of FTG feedback surveys found that by their sixth session, most carers and supporters reported improvements in their own wellbeing as well as increased confidence in supporting their loved one. Carers reported statistically significant improvements in their ability to prioritise self-care, increase empathetic understanding toward their loved one during conflict, and experience reduced anxiety about their loved one’s future.
Feedback has been consistently positive, with carers expressing how grateful they are for this free, fully government-funded program.
They have shared that FTG has benefited them because:
– Counsellors bring a unique combination of lived experience as a carer and professional training
– It is a safe space to offload, debrief, and care for themselves - they feel listened to, heard, validated, and supported
– Sessions help them develop knowledge, skills, and strategies relevant to their caring role
– The program is free and highly accessible, removing financial barriers to support
ACHS Accreditation
In December 2024, Eating Disorders Families Australia was formally accredited to the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards, a significant milestone for the organisation. This accreditation provides independent assurance that our online services meet the highest standards of safety, quality, and clinical governance. For families and carers, it means confidence that the support they receive from EDFA is safe, effective, and delivered in line with nationally recognised best practice. For EDFA, it strengthens our credibility as a trusted service provider, positions us for future growth and funding opportunities, and reinforces our commitment to continuous improvement in delivering high-quality digital mental health support.
Launch of National Carer Strategy 2024/2034 and the Action Plan 2024-2027 (December 2024).
Sabine McKenzie - EDFA’s first WA Support Program Coordinator.
Operational Effectiveness and Service Excellence
This year, Eating Disorders Families Australia has worked hard to ensure we operate efficiently and effectively to deliver the best outcomes for our carers and in line with our 2024–2028 Strategic Plan.
A major highlight this year was working with The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards to achieve accreditation to the National Safety and Quality Digital Mental Health Standards. This milestone cements EDFA’s strategic direction by formally recognising our commitment to high standards of quality and safety within the healthcare sector.
To ensure we maintain a robust and protected operational environment, all EDFA staff have undertaken comprehensive cybersecurity training to stay abreast of best practices to protect sensitive information, in alignment with our accreditation requirements.
Our continuous focus on improving service delivery has led to substantial enhancements across our digital platforms and internal operations this year. We are continuously updating the EDFA website to enhance the user experience, making navigation easier and more seamless, and ensuring our online presence responds effectively to the needs of carers. This ongoing effort is supported by work with an external IT consultant to streamline our services through various software platforms and develop more effective IT governance.
EDFA maintains its commitment to excellence by consistently evaluating services through two surveys of our community and stakeholders. This valuable feedback drives the continuous improvement of our programs, ensuring they remain relevant to the evolving needs of eating disorder carers. To enhance geographical accessibility and inclusivity, we launched new support groups tailored to Western Australian time zones, which remain open for attendance by anyone across Australia, effectively broadening the scope of our national support network.
Interpreter support was successfully introduced and utilised within within EDFA’s Support and Education Programs, marking a key strategic initiative to proactively address the specific needs of carers from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. This vital addition has significantly enhanced accessibility to our services and ensured our support is truly inclusive of all families impacted by an eating disorder, regardless of their cultural and language background. This is a crucial step forward, recognising that eating disorders do not discriminate and can affect all cultures and backgrounds.
Our Impact
In FY25, EDFA provided services to more than 3,000 carers of those living with an eating disorder. We have helped thousands more since our establishment in 2016.
In 2024/25 , EDFA delivered:
104 Support Groups
EDFA delivered 104 online support groups and reached 689 unique carers across the year. We have hosted 408 Carer Support Groups since they went online in 2020.
17 Education Webinars
EDFA added 17 EDucation Webinars to its library, which contains more than 180 hours of expert and lived experience educational resources.
EDFA has hosted a total of 108 Webinars since their inception in 2020.
2,517 Counselling Sessions
We supported 314 eating disorder carers through a total of 2,517 one-on-one counselling sessions with lived-experience counsellors.
Resources
EDFA has created specialised resources and essential information to help carers navigate the challenges of eating disorders. Our resources cover crucial topics such as understanding the disorder (including how to recognise and address the ‘Eating Disorder Voice’), and practical strategies for the refeeding process. We also provide dedicated support and materials for siblings of the affected individual and for parents with other children in the home, ensuring the entire family unit is supported.
10 Strong Enough Podcasts
The Strong Enough podcast, which first began in October 2023, continues to grow! We are delighted to announce that 10 episodes of the podcast went live during the last financial year. We have recently added episodes 7–16 to our library. The podcast is hosted by the exceptional Jo Stone, who does a wonderful job facilitating and producing the podcast, making our episodes a vital resource for eating disorder carers and clinicians.
Initial Seasons (1 & 2): These episodes were made possible by the generous fundraising efforts of EDFA members Leah Ward and Alanna McInerney, along with the dedicated team at Teleflex Medical Australia & New Zealand. Current Seasons (3 & 4): The Liptember Foundation has been a crucial sponsor. This partnership has enabled us to renew the Strong Enough podcast for two more seasons, specifically funding episodes 11 to 20. This crucial support helps us reach and support more individuals in the eating disorder community and reach over 10,000 downloads.
Membership
EDFA experienced a period of exceptional growth, concluding the fiscal year with a total of 955 members. This figure represents a remarkable 56.6% increase in membership from the previous year, made up of 756 individual and 199 family members.
Thanks to state-based funding, free membership was available to carers in South Australia and Queensland for the 12-month period. Carer Gateway also funded free memberships for Victorian carers over the last financial year. This initiative ensured that vital support and resources were accessible to more carers, regardless of their financial situation.
EDFA Membership by State / Territory As of June 30, 2025
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
QUEENSLAND
VICTORIA
NEW SOUTH WALES
NORTHERN TERRITORY
ACT
TASMANIA
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Our Funders, Donors and Supporters
EDFA could not deliver its programs without the generous support and contribution of our valued funders, donors, and supporters. Their generosity ensures EDFA can provide transformative and essential services to eating disorder carers across Australia.
Government Funders
Australian Government
The Australian Government funds our vital Fill The Gap (FTG) free counselling program, with funding provided to enable counselling sessions provided right across the country. The generous funding provides for this highly valued, online, free service to help all types of eating disorder carers through their challenging recovery journey.
The Australian Government also funds EDFA's vital Support Program, which delivers free online connection and support through both general, carer-specific, and diagnosis-specific support groups for eating disorder carers.
South Australian Government
The South Australian Government provided funding to EDFA for the maintenance, promotion, and growth of its Support, Education and Counselling Programs to benefit South Australian carers of those with an eating disorder.
Queensland Government
Funding from the Queensland Government supports EDFA’s comprehensive EDucation program, which includes webinars, carer resources, and the development and launch of the innovative prevention and early intervention program, Nourish, Nurture, Notice.
LotteryWest / WA
LotteryWest funds went towards EDFA’s new WA Support Program Coordinator expansion which commenced March 2025.
Philanthropic Foundations
Cooper Investors Philanthropy
Participation in relevant conferences remains a critical component of EDFA’s strategy to enhance organisational profile and awareness among stakeholders. EDFA is grateful to Cooper Investors for their generous support to enable this to happen.
Helen and David Hains Foundation
The Helen and David Hains Foundation made a generous donation to create a book of carer stories, aiming to raise awareness of the family experience of eating disorders.
Jasper Foundation
EDFA is extremely grateful to the Jasper Foundation for its commitment to sustaining EDFA programs.
Liptember Foundation
The Liptember Foundation kindly provided funding for the production of EDFA’s highly popular Strong Enough podcast for seasons 3 and 4. Having surpassed 10,000 downloads, the podcast is proving to be a trusted resource for carers, families, and anyone with a connection to, or interest in, eating disorders.
Macquarie Bank
EDFA is extremely grateful to Macquarie Bank, which matched signficant funds raised in Recharge 4 Recovery 2024.
Mortgage Choice Charity Foundation
EDFA is grateful to Mortgage Choice for its donation toward our general operations. This essential funding supports the backbone of our organisation, giving us the flexibility to apply resources where they can make the most significant impact.
Phil Taylor Foundation
EDFA is fortunate to receive pro bono marketing and promotional support from The Phil Taylor Foundation, who also designed and produced this Annual Report, along with a gifted donation.
Spotlight Foundation
EDFA is grateful to the Spotlight Foundation, which donated a voucher for Spotlight goods.
Women & Change
EDFA is grateful for a grant bestowed from Queensland's Women & Change for the introduction of a new Hospital Liaison Officer service that provides essential information and support for carers of those with an eating disorder in a selection of South East Queensland hospitals.
Veith Foundation
A generous donation was received from the Veith Foundation in 2025, helping to sustain EDFA’s programs.
Corporate Partners and Sponsors
BDO and Fred IT
We are immensely grateful to BDO and Fred IT, who returned as Silver Sponsors for this year’s Recharge 4 Recovery campaign with generous donations of $10,000 each.
Donors
EDFA received several welcome donations from individual donors in FY25 including:
– Cameron and Shirley Dare
– EDFA is deeply grateful for the exceptional support received from donors who contributed $1,000 or more this year. Private philanthropy is vital to our mission, enabling EDFA to continue supporting and upholding eating disorder carers across Australia.
Sector Partners
EDFA recognises the importance of collective action in the mental health sector. As such, we are proud to work with highly valued sector partners as part of the Eating Disorders Alliance (EDA).
Core members of the Alliance are:
– The Butterfly Foundation
– The Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders
– Eating Disorders Queensland
– Eating Disorders Victoria
– Eating Disorders Families Australia
Affiliate members of the Alliance are:
– National Eating Disorders Collaboration
– Eating Disorders Neurodiversity Australia
– The InsideOut Institute
– The Embrace Collective
– Eating Disorders Association of New Zealand (EDANZ)
EDFA was also proud to work with the following partners and collaborators in 2024/25:
– BUSHkids (Queensland)
– Holstep Health (Victoria)
– Dr Mark McGrath (Queensland)
– River Oak Health (Queensland)
– The Lott
– Queensland Eating Disorder Service (QuEDS)
– Statewide Eating Disorder Service (South Australia)
– CYMHS Eating Disorder Program (Queensland)
Financials
The 2024/25 financial year was transformative for EDFA, marking a significant step forward in our delivery and financial sustainability. We achieved a net surplus of $88,258, a strong turnaround from the previous year's deficit of ($25,154). This positive result will be crucial in supporting our planned activities and growth throughout the 2025/26 period.
Our total revenue grew a substantial 95%, rising to $1,458,950 (from $748,524 in 2023/24). This growth was primarily driven by a significant increase in Government Grants, which more than doubled to $1,176,471. While Government Grants now form the largest portion of our revenue, we also saw continued support from our community through Donations and Fundraising of $223,148, Memberships of $24,040, and increasing Interest Income of $19,373, demonstrating a diverse base of support. Financial Overview Revenue and Expense
EDFA Revenue FY25
GOVERNMENT GRANTS
NON-GOVERNMENT GRANTS
DONATIONS AND FUNDRAISING
MEMBERSHIPS
INTEREST INCOME
OTHER REVENUE
Surplus/(deficit)
(25,154)
Strategic Investment in Programs
To meet the increased demand and successfully deliver the vital eating disorder carer programs supported by our higher revenue, total operating expenses rose by 77% to $1,372,742. The majority of this increase was in Wages and Salaries (reflecting necessary staffing expansion) and investment in the EDucation portfolio and IT Expenses, demonstrating our commitment to scaling our impact and infrastructure responsibly.
Total Expenses by Program Area
FILL THE GAP SUPPORT EDUCATION ADVOCACY OPERATIONAL
EDFA is proud to confirm that we continue to be efficient stewards of funds received, with a low proportion of funds spent on administration. Our expenses were strategically directed towards our core charitable activities, with a minimal 5% allocated to Operational costs, which is an excellent benchmark for efficiency.
References
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1. Global Prevalence of Disordered Eating in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal: JAMA Pediatrics. Publication Date: 2023
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2. Bonfanti, R.C., Melchiori, F., Teti, A., Albano, G., Raffard, S., Rodgers, R. & Lo Coco, G. (2025). The association between social comparison in social media, body image concerns and eating disorder symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Body Image, 52101841. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.bodyim.2024.101841
3. Wilksch, S. (2023). Toward a more comprehensive understanding and support of parents with a child experiencing an eating disorder. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 56(7), 1275-1285. https://doi. org/10.1002/eat.23938
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4. New research reveals dangerous gap in Australians’ understanding of eating disordersButterfly Foundation. https://butterfly.org.au/ news/new-research-reveals-dangerous-gap-inaustralians-understanding-of-eating-disorders/
5. Butterfly Foundation and Deloitte: Paying the Price: The economic and social impact of eating disorders in Australia. Page 27-29
6. Butterfly Foundation and Deloitte Access Economics. (2024). Paying the price, Second edition: The economic and social impact of eating disorders in Australia. Retrieved from: deloitte-au-eco-paying-the-price-secondedition-180724-new-Oct-24.pdf
7 & 8. Treasure, J. & Nazar, B.P. (2016). Interventions for the carers of patients with eating disorders. Current Psychiatric Reports, 18(16). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-015-0652-3
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9. Hannah, L., Cross, M., Grimwade, K., Clarke, T. & Allan, S.M. (2021). A systematic review of the impact of carer interventions on outcomes for patients with eating disorders. Eating and Weight Disorders, 27, 1953-1962. https://doi. org/10.1007/s40519-021-01338-7
How You Can Help
Volunteer with EDFA
EDFA has a range of volunteer roles. Join our community and utilise your existing skills and knowledge and gain a sense of fulfilment and achievement by supporting eating disorder carers.
Donate to EDFA
As a registered charity, EDFA relies on the generous support of many donors to maintain our services to our carer community.
Every donation - no matter how small - helps. Donate to EDFA today, knowing that 100% of the amount donated goes directly towards supporting and educating carers and families affected by an eating disorder.
If you live in Queensland, Western Australia and New South Wales, you can choose us as your charity of choice when you recycle your containers through Containers for Change (Qld and WA) or Return and Earn (NSW). You can also encourage those in your networks to also support EDFA when they are returning their containers.
To donate to EDFA, scan the QR code or visit edfa.org.au/getinvolved/donate-to-eating-disorders-families-australia/
A gift in your Will of any amount or percentage is a profound way to support EDFA's mission. Your generosity will help us reach and support more carers, creating one of the greatest legacies of your lifetime.
You can find out more information here gatheredhere.com.au/c/edfa
Corporate Support
We are proud to partner with businesses around Australia that are passionate about the work we do at EDFA.
Our partners help us provide support, education, and advocacy for carers around Australia. Their assistance ensures we reach more carers and are able to provide life changing and vital services. Thank you to our sponsors.
If you are interested in Corporate Sponsorship, we would love to talk with you. Contact us today!
