Australia’s largest mental health and fitness event, The Push-Up Challenge, is back for 2026, raising money for Lifeline, headspace and the Push for Better Foundation. From 3-26 June, hundreds of thousands of people from all ages and walks of life will participate, engaging through connection, physical activity and mental health education.
Over a decade, the Challenge has raised over $60M. This year, participants will take on 3,307 push-ups across 24 days in June, to remember and honour the 3,307 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2024.
Founder of The Push-Up Challenge, Nick Hudson, said, ‘Mental health challenges will affect nearly everyone at some point in their lives. So whether they’re taking part themselves or supporting someone who is, we’re calling on every Australian to get behind the Challenge, because every push-up, and every conversation about mental health, brings us one step closer to making a real difference.
‘As we enter our tenth year, I’m incredibly proud that The Push-Up Challenge has encouraged over 1 million Australians to take a more proactive approach to their fitness and mental wellbeing, and we can’t wait to watch those numbers continue to grow.
‘What started as a simple fitness challenge has grown into a fun way for every Australian to connect with their community, get fit, learn about mental health and honour the lives tragically lost to suicide,’ he said.
Partners
The Push-Up Challenge is a free event (fundraising is optional), but many participants choose to fundraise and support beneficiary partners Lifeline or headspace, or the charity which runs the event, the Push for Better Foundation.
‘The Push-Up Challenge prides itself on bringing together three of Australia’s major mental health charities with one common goal,’ said Mr Hudson.
‘With The Push For Better Foundation’s focus on mental health education, Lifeline’s 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services, and headspace’s early intervention services for young people, we’ll work together to engage Australians in a holistic conversation about mental health,’ he said.
Throughout the Challenge, participants of all ages and abilities push-up while learning about mental health, with the number of daily push-ups changing to reflect a vital mental health fact.
Don’t like push-ups?
If completing 3,307 push-ups feels out of reach, participants can set their own push-up goal or choose exercise alternatives such as sit-ups, squats or tailored exercises, with progress tracked through a dedicated app.
2025 was The Push-Up Challenge’s biggest year in its history, with over 232,000 participants completing over 328 million push-ups, and raising over $12.4 million for vital mental health services.
You can register for the 2026 Challenge as an individual, team, or get your whole workplace, club, gym or school involved at www.thepushupchallenge.com.au.
