The National Stroke Foundation was established in 1983 by Sir John Holland and Mr David Brownbill.  The organisation was originally called the Stroke Research Foundation and later the Australian Stroke and Neurosciences Institute, with the primary objective of raising funds for neurosciences research.

Over the years, the organisation evolved to meet the changing demands of neurosciences.  In 1996 stroke was identified as the priority area of need. At this point, stroke became the sole focus and the organisation was renamed the National Stroke Foundation.

Today, research is one of six priority areas for the organisation, the other priority areas are:

• Stroke awareness and prevention
  
• Improving treatment – reducing death and disability
  
• Improving life after stroke
  
• Fundraising, and
  
• Good governance and accountability.