Registrations are now open for Steptember, Australia’s leading national fitness fundraiser, with Cerebral Palsy Alliance calling on Australians to move the equivalent of 10,000 steps a day throughout September to help fund life-changing research and early intervention therapy for babies with cerebral palsy.
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability that affects movement and posture. It affects body movement, muscle control, muscle coordination, muscle tone, reflex, posture and balance. People who have cerebral palsy may also have visual, learning, hearing, speech, epilepsy and intellectual impairments.
Now in its 16th year, Steptember has inspired workplaces, schools and communities across Australia to get moving while raising more than $89 million. Since Steptember began, the rate of cerebral palsy in Australia has been reduced by 40 per cent. In 2026, participants will enjoy new challenges, rewards and fundraising milestones while helping fund the next generation of research and early intervention.
Cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in childhood, affecting a baby born every 20 hours in Australia. Thanks to advances in research, babies at high risk can now be identified within the first months of life, allowing therapy to begin much earlier when it can have the greatest impact on development.
Lifelong outcomes
Funds raised through Steptember help identify babies at risk of cerebral palsy earlier. Rob White, CEO of Cerebral Palsy Alliance, said the first 1,000 days of a child’s life represent an extraordinary opportunity to change their future.
‘The earlier we can identify cerebral palsy and begin therapy, the greater the opportunity to improve lifelong outcomes for children and their families. Funds raised through Steptember help us identify babies earlier, provide therapy when it can make the biggest difference and support families from the very beginning of their journey.
‘We know early intervention changes lives. By simply getting active this September, Australians can help give more children the opportunity to move, communicate and find independence in everyday life,’ Mr White said.
New for 2026, participants will experience a rewards-based gamification system, progressing through six Impact Stages throughout the month. As participants move through their Impact Journey, they unlock milestones that demonstrate how their fundraising helps children with cerebral palsy throughout the critical first 1,000 days of life.
The six Impact Stages delve deeper into the following critical focus areas:
- Communication
- Movement
- Mealtime
- Independence
- Family Support
- Regional Services
Participants can complete their daily 10,000-step target through more than 40 activities, including walking, cycling, swimming, Pilates, gardening, basketball, adaptive sports and even household chores.
Prizes
Participants will also have the chance to win a range of prizes throughout September, including a Toyota Corolla awarded to the campaign’s Standout Stepper – a participant who signs up for Steptember with their workplace and is recognised for their Steptember achievements and inspiring others through their enthusiasm, creativity and team spirit.
Four fundraising and activity challenges will also offer participants the chance to win a VIP Australian Open experience with waterdrop®, a Noosa getaway, Fitness First memberships and a $2,500 Ampol voucher.
Schools across Australia can also get involved through Step4Schools, encouraging students, teachers and families to build more movement into their day through activities such as walking or riding to school, classroom challenges and active games.
