Our Background

   The Paraplegic Benefit Fund Australia (PBF Australia) was founded by the late Sir Bedbrook was a world-renowned spinal surgeon and founded the Department of Paraplegia, now called the Sir George Bedbrook Spinal Unit, at Royal Perth Hospital in 1954. His commitment to the care and rehabilitation of people with spinal cord injuries has received world wide recognition and he was the recipient of many distinctions and honours.

Sir Bedbrook founded not-for-profit organisation PBF Australia in 1984 as he was frustrated by the lack of financial support available for patients. With approximately 70 per cent of patients not eligible for any insurance or compensation payment, many patients were institutionalised after being discharged from hospital.

PBF Australia is a member-based organisation that aims to provide financial support for members who sustain a spinal cord injury. Essentially, any member who sustains a permanent spinal cord injury is eligible to claim PBF Australia’s member benefit ($100,000) within the first weeks. The benefit aims to help pay for modifications to the house and car, rehabilitation and other medical costs. PBF Australia now has nearly 80,000 members, including 400 corporate members, and has offices in Perth and Brisbane.

While originally focusing on financial support after a spinal cord injury, PBF Australia has now extended its focus to preventing spinal cord injuries through its award-winning injury prevention programs. The programs employ people with spinal cord injuries and aim to reduce the number of serious injuries, in particular spinal cord injuries, on the road, in the workplace and in the aquatic environment.