The cost, which includes financial costs and loss of a healthy life, is roughly $11,000 for each of the estimated 3.2 million Australians struggling with pain, the study said.

The MBF Foundation study, "The High Price of Pain: The Economic Impact of Persistent Pain in Australia," conducted by Access Economics in collaboration with the University of Sydney Pain Management Research Institute also found that the people who are suffering from persistent pain are carrying more than half of its overall cost burden.

Foundation officials said the finding would be used to identify the best ways to ease suffering, save healthcare dollars and help patients maintain productive lives.

"The impact and cost of persistent pain is so widespread that a national approach is needed to address this major health issue and its hidden health burden," Dr. Christine Bennett, MBF chief medical officer said in the foundation release. "The study shows that the bottom line of chronic pain is huge both in human terms and its economic impact."