About Us
We’re working towards a future where every child can hear clearly and has the chance to reach their full potential.
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Our mission is to reduce incidences of chronic middle ear disease in Aboriginal and at-risk children below the World Health Organisation 4% benchmark by strengthening services, building local capability, and improving access to care in communities.
About Us
Our story — and how Earbus became Ear Foundation Australia
A story that started on four wheels
In 2013, we started our journey with a simple yet ambitious idea: bring expert ear care directly to the children who need it most. Inspired by a mobile clinic model in New Zealand, renowned ENT Professor Harvey Coates envisioned a dedicated vehicle – dubbed the Earbus – to deliver accessible and life-changing ear care to aboriginal and at-risk children across regional and rural Western Australia.
What began as a mobile outreach program under our original name, Earbus Foundation, has grown into a new breadth of work as Ear Foundation Australia. Today, our work reaches from Wyndham to Esperance and beyond — spanning newborn hospital screenings, clinical care, partnerships in remote communities and much more.
Every mile we’ve travelled and milestone we’ve reached along the way has been built through trust, deep respect for Elders and culture, and showing up consistently. Because when a child can hear, they can reconnect with the world and reach their full potential. We remain driven by that founding purpose and the positive ripple effect better hearing has on kids’ lives and their communities.
13
Years serving local communities
120
120 locations visited annually
16
16 programs across regional WA
Since our founding in 2013, our work has grown well beyond the bus where we began. While we were previously known as Earbus Foundation of WA, today we have become Ear Foundation Australia. This new name better represents the full impact of our work — not just how we reach communities, but how we work collaboratively to support children across Australia from first contact through to lasting change.
Fundamentally, we believe that real change happens when communities lead their own solutions. Our goal is not dependence, but independence — where local people are trained, supported and equipped to deliver care where it’s needed most. Together alongside communities, we’re working to strengthen local services, build skills and improve access to early ear health care for children.
We go where children are
Screening, check-ups, and treatment come directly to schools, daycares, kindergartens and playgroups on a regular monthly rhythm — so no child slips between appointments.
Care doesn’t end at the visit
GPs, audiologists and ENT specialists work within the one model, so referrals are quick and treatment is seamless — and we help build the local pathways that carry care forward.
Our goal is not to create dependence. Our goal is independence — communities leading their own health systems, and children hearing clearly in the classroom.
Our Board and Patrons
Stories of impact
From first contact to lasting change.
