About us
Our Purpose
At Clown Doctors Australia our purpose is to enhance wellbeing through the uplifting power of humour.
Our Vision
Our vision is a future where people don’t fear hospital visits or ageing alone.
We believe…
We can improve care at every level.
Our expertise helps all people to thrive through, not just survive difficult moments
Physical and mental health are connected.
We uplift the human spirit to improve wellbeing, resilience and broader health outcomes
An open heart is at the centre of everything we do.
Everyone matters and every feeling is real
In the here and now.
In creating a space for light to come in, and having an impact that echoes after our exit
In imagination, play and affirming humour.
In the power of the arts to create magic moments and transformative human connection
In our serious approach to silliness.
Our training prepares us to approach every situation with expertise, professionalism & hope
We value…
Authentic Connection: We understand that the desire for each individual to be seen, heard and understood is an essential part of being human; and is heightened in times of uncertainty. We meet you where you are at and are here for all of it – every colour and shade of your experience.
Dynamic Creativity: We see affirming humour and play as vital tools for communication, to find common ground and unlock possibilities through imagination, curiosity, inventiveness and optimism. We know thinking expansively is key to driving our continuous improvement.
Building Trust: We value trust and its power to enable openness, real collaboration and strong partnerships. We know that trust is the foundation of everything we do.
Delivering Impact: We aspire to positively influence the people we meet, to change the temperature of a room, transform moments and gift people (and organisations) with experiences that bring hope and build resilience.
Safeguarding commitment
Clown Doctors Australia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all workers to share in this commitment. We have Safeguarding Children certification with the Australian Childhood Foundation.
Find Out MoreOur impact
A recent study conducted by Social Ventures Australia shows that for every $1 invested into our Clown Doctors program, there’s a $9.90 social return to the community. Further, where evidence is limited, we are at the forefront of driving new understanding of our work.
Find Out MoreOur history
Clown Doctors Australia was the vision of Dr Peter Spitzer, a general practitioner, and Jean-Paul Bell, a performer. Together they were a doctor who wanted to be a clown and a clown who wanted to be a doctor. Inspired by a meeting with Patch Adams, research into the health benefits of humour, and the pioneering work of the Theodora Foundation in Switzerland and the Big Apple Clown Care Unit in New York, they established The Humour Foundation (now Clown Doctors Australia) in 1996.
With a mission to promote the health benefits of humour, the Clown Doctors program was born. A short pilot was undertaken in 1996 at Royal Hobart Hospital, not long after the Port Arthur massacre, and in January 1997, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, became the first hospital to host the Clown Doctors program on a regular basis.
Since then, the Clown Doctors program has grown rapidly. Today, Clown Doctors visit 22 hospitals and 2 hospices for children and young people, across every Australian state and territory. They support over 300,000 children, families, carers and hospital staff each year.
In the mid-2000s, inspired by the idea that kids shouldn’t have all the fun and in response to Australia’s ageing population, we developed and started delivering training to aged care workers. This was followed by a National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) grant to investigate humour therapy in residential care, and the rollout of the Laughter Care program in residential aged care homes. The first Laughter Care visits were in Melbourne in 2012.
Today, Laughter Care Specialists visit aged care facilities, hospitals, respite cottages, and disability hubs. They support over 13,000 people each year.
In 2025, nearly 30 years of bringing laughter where it’s unexpected, yet most needed, The Humour Foundation became Clown Doctors Australia. This rebrand is more than a name change — it’s a renewed commitment to purpose and to the people we serve. It marks a strategic evolution that strengthens our identity as a valuable contributor to a compassionate, well-functioning health system, and will enable us to expand and deepen our impact into the future.
“You are the laughter that we want to give to our children when we are out of laughter.”
– Chris (parent)
