medical research institutes in australia

Garvan's medical research will transform healthcare. We explore the full spectrum of disease so that everyone can live longer and healthier lives.

Translating breakthrough research into precision medicine.

Our greatest strength lies in the exceptional talent and dedication of our people, who are at the forefront of medical research and innovation.

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Our mission is to harness the information encoded in our genome to better diagnose, treat, predict and prevent disease.

Our research relies on the generous support of people like you. Show your support for breakthrough medical research today

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Garvan Institute of Medical Research

Welcome to garvan.

Transforming lives

Latest news

Biomarkers discovered for difficult-to-diagnose breast tumour.

Walking fitness can predict fracture risk in older adults

Epigenetic therapy shows promise for endocrine-resistant breast cancer

Unique diversity of Indigenous Australians revealed by next-generation genomics

New Chair for Garvan Institute of Medical Research

L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship awarded to Garvan’s Dr Deborah Burnett

Predicting cancer patient response to PARP inhibitors

Edmund’s rare genetic variant uncovered a life-changing treatment

Sydney researchers to lead multiple sclerosis study

Personalised medicine research projects backed by major grants

Translating science into better health outcomes for everyone

We see a future where your DNA is used to prevent and treat disease. As a global leader in discovery research and translating groundbreaking science from the lab to the clinic, we are revolutionising human health with personalised medicine tailored to each patient.

Our goal is to see our research discoveries achieve impact

Total publications in 2022, including journal articles, reports, reviews, letters, books and book chapters

Number of clinical trials examining the translation of Garvan research breakthroughs into improved healthcare for patients

Number of Garvan researchers and support staff pioneering discoveries across the diseases that have the deepest impact on our community

Pioneering groundbreaking global research

We are focused on improving healthcare for everyone – where better understanding, new treatments and more effective diagnoses can have the greatest impact.

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For children with cancer, change starts here

Our research is changing lives

Hudson Institute of Medical Research is a leading Australian medical research institute recognised internationally for discovery science and translational research.

Our latest news and impact

Hudson Institute welcomes inflammation specialist as new Centre Head

Hudson Institute’s world leading inflammation programs enter a new era with the appointment of Professor Seth Masters to lead the Centre for Innate Immunity and Infectious Diseases (CiiiD).

Better treatments sooner – Hudson’s new RNAte Platform unveiled

Hudson Institute of Medical Research today officially unveiled its world-first RNAte platform that could see vaccines and therapeutic treatments developed faster by being able to rapidly assess their potential inflammation side effects, right here in Victoria.

The power of IFN-e: ovarian cancer breakthrough

In a distinguished scientific career lasting four decades, Professor Paul Hertzog has just about seen it all – but seeing his team’s latest research published in the influential journal Nature was a proud moment.

Discover more

Expand our research with a gift in your Will

Leaving a bequest to the Institute in your Will would allow us to power new and innovative treatments and cures for this and future generations.

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Image in top header: Luca Boggia-Hall, rare brain tumor survivor, playing in a park and laughing. Picture Courtesy Jason Edwards/Herald Sun

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NHMRC is the key driver of health and medical research in Australia

Aside from funding, we advise the Australian Government and facilitate networking in the research community by bringing academics and industry together. We build commercial literacy among researchers and help them protect intellectual property. Our research priorities reflect current and emerging health issues in our region and internationally.

• 2023 Research Excellence Awards

On Wednesday 27 March 2024, we h onoured the achievements of Australian health and medical researchers who have dedicated their careers to improving the health of our nation, through our annual Research Excellence Awards .

Shining a light on chronic disease, suicide prevention, novel drug development and discovery, as well as improving health equity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, these awards acknowledged the top-ranked researchers and teams following peer review of applications to NHMRC’s highly competitive grant schemes in 2023.

Honouring the achievements and dedication of Australian health and medical researchers

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has honoured the outstanding achievements with its annual Research Excellence Awards announced this evening in Canberra.

10 of the Best: Recognising Australia’s top researchers delivering extraordinary outcomes

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has released the 15th edition of its ‘10 of the Best’ publication, showcasing the calibre of our nation’s health and medical researchers working to prevent disease, improve detection and treatment methods, increase our understanding of common health conditions and deliver extraordinary outcomes.

$5 million towards Australian research to improve climate-related health outcomes

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has released Grant Opportunity Guidelines for a Targeted Call for Research (TCR) into climate-related health impacts and effective interventions to improve health outcomes 2024 .

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If you would like to give to a specific research program or support the work of a particular researcher, contact our fundraising team today.

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Explore wehi.

“WEHI has a rich history of extraordinary discoveries and profound contributions to improving human health. Here, the brightest minds collaborate, innovate and strive to solve the most pressing health challenges facing our community.”

We’re shining a light on some of our most complex health issues. With the brightest scientists and advanced technologies, we’re making new discoveries to transform lives.

We’ve been making critical discoveries for more than 100 years in the fields of cancer, immune health and infection, developmental disorders and healthy ageing. Our world-class tools and technologies help turn our research into new treatments and ways to diagnose disease.

Meet Andres and Marnie, their team has made a promising discovery about a trigger for muscular dystrophy

This new insight brings us closer to finding a future treatment for FSHD, a debilitating genetic condition.

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Our researchers are the leaders in their fields – the Leonardo da Vincis, Rembrandts, Frida Kahlos and Monets of the science world. With the support of our donor community, they’re working hard to revolutionise medical research and tackle our most complex medical challenges.

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“If we have the support of the community for our research, then WEHI has the expertise, knowledge and ideas.”

“WEHI has a long and impressive history in data science that has made us the envy of many other medical research institutes.”

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• QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Image: The QIMR Bergofer building in Brisbane

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QIMR Berghofer is one of Australia’s largest and most successful medical research institutes. Our researchers are investigating the genetic and environmental causes of some of the world’s deadliest diseases as well as developing new diagnostics, better treatments and prevention strategies. The Institute’s diverse research program extends from tropical diseases to cancers to Indigenous health, mental health, and infectious diseases.

Principal research areas

• Infectious diseases
• Mental health & complex disorders

Image caption: The QIMR Berghofer building in Brisbane, Queensland.

Image credit: QIMR Berghofer

Research Areas

• Cardiovascular
• Clinical research
• Endocrinology
• Eye and ear
• Indigenous health
• Kidney health
• Liver and digestion
• Mental health
• Public health

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From humble beginnings in 1945, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, now known as QIMR Berghofer, is one of Australia’s most successful medical research institutes, translating discoveries from bench to bedside for a better future of health.

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We are Australia's national science organisation and one of the largest and most diverse scientific research organisations in the world. Our research focuses on the biggest challenges facing the nation. We also manage national research infrastructure and collections.

Australia's national science agency

We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate. We're Australia's national science research agency. At CSIRO, we solve the greatest challenges using innovative science and technology.

We are one of the largest and most diverse scientific research organisations in the world. Our research focuses on the biggest challenges facing the nation. We also manage national research infrastructure and collections.

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Medical research

Understanding the virus that causes covid-19.

Our first challenge has been to get understanding this new virus – how long it takes to develop and replicate, how it impacts the respiratory system, how the host responds and how it can be transmitted. We are also looking to understand its origins, how it may be changing and how it behaves.

Browse our research

Natural environments.

From our oceans and coasts, landscapes and inland waters, to our atmosphere and climate, our research is helping to maintain the integrity of our environments and ensure our natural resources are used sustainably.

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From smartphone apps and robotics, to satellites, sensors and telescopes mapping the Universe, we're providing innovative solutions that are helping to secure Australia's digital future.

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Production that is innovative, productive, competitive and sustainable is vital to Australia’s current and future prosperity.

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We're working to prevent illnesses, develop a better understanding of diseases, and improve detection, treatment and recovery in a range of medical conditions to help people live healthier lives.

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We work to better understand, respond to and prepare for extreme events and emergency situations, such as bushfires, floods, cyclones and droughts. Our research helps build the resilience of our infrastructure, communities, industries and environment.

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From our oceans and coasts, landscapes and inland waters, to our atmosphere and climate, CSIRO research is helping to maintain the integrity of our environments and ensure our natural resources are used sustainably.

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From our broad range of collections down to specific case studies on animals, plants and ecosystems, we're studying a range of Australian animals and plants to better understand, protect and strengthen our rich biodiversity.

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We acknowledge the extraordinary contributions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made, and continue to make, to our culture, the economy and science. We're working with Indigenous communities and organisations to create Indigenous-driven science solutions that support sustainable futures for Indigenous peoples, cultures and Country.

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With more than 5,500 experts based in 55 local and international centres, we are Australia's catalyst for innovation and a global force in transforming imagination into reality.

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AAMRI showcases Australia’s Medical Research Discoveries

Showcasing breakthroughs from australian medical research institutes.

The Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI) has today launched a new website, Medical Research Discoveries, to bring together the best stories and discoveries from medical research institutes to one centralised place.

“Being part of AMMRI gives us all a collective voice to the Government”  said Sandra Bellekom, CEO Ear Science Institute Australia.  “As a group and through this website, it helps us communicate the value of medical research institutes to the general public.  They can see and read about all the exceptional science being conducted right here in Australia”  she said

“We designed this showcase to demonstrate to Australians what our sector does – and how much amazing work comes out of our institutes,” said Professor Kathryn North AC, AAMRI President .

“It makes me feel immense pride to see all the discoveries arising across Australia – a new affordable dialysis system that will help millions, a novel trial for diabetes, to the entire NatureBank in Queensland for biodiscovery on Australian flora and fauna,” said Professor North. “At our Institutes, we are talking about these things every day, and now we have the opportunity for people to get the full picture of what medical research institutes really do.”

When AAMRI decided to bring together new discoveries from across our medical research institutes, the response to the call was overwhelming. The website has started with 20 discoveries today, with another 50 going up over the next few weeks, building continuously.

The site also profiles all 58 Institutes contributing to the site and lists 25 research areas all linked back to each discovery and institute.

“When asked about medical discoveries from Australia, the cervical cancer vaccine and the cochlear ear often spring to mind.  Amazing, life-changing science. With this showcase, we hope to expand the conversation, and lift the lid on medical research institutes so people can really see the impact of our research,” said Professor North.

https://www.medicalresearchdiscoveries.org.au/

About AAMRI AAMRI is the peak body representing medical research institutes across Australia. Our 58 member organisations are international leaders in health and medical research, addressing practically every aspect of human health and disease. Collectively, AAMRI’s members represent more than 19,000 staff and students.

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Research Organisations

Comprising of more than 13 major medical research institutes, eleven teaching hospitals and nine universities, Victoria is home to Australia’s largest bioscience research community.

A number of well-known national and international research organisations are based in Victoria.

Medical Research Organisations in Victoria

Australian Genome Research Facility – is an efficient state-of-the-art facility for the collection of molecular genetic information covering large-scale DNA sequencing, genotyping, microarraying, agricultural genomic services and other resources for the genetic and physical mapping of chromosomes, mutation detection and associated bioinformatic analysis.

Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute  – tackles the deadly trio of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease through research, education and patient care.

Bio21 Institute for Molecular Science & Biotechnology – is a multidisciplinary research centre, specialising in medical, agricultural and environmental biotechnology.

Bionics Institute – is an independent, non-profit, medical research organisation.

Burnet Institute – The Burnet Institute is a leading Australian medical research and public health organisation focused on improving the health of disadvantaged and marginalised groups.

Centre for Eye Research Australia – The Centre brings together a body of dedicated medical researchers to improve the living conditions and lifestyles of thousands of people both in Australia and abroad who are now, or may in the future, be affected by vision impairment.

Epworth Research Institute – Epworth Research Institute (ERI) has built a reputation as a high quality medical research institute within the private teaching hospital environment.  It fosters a vibrant research culture that is committed to excellence and values clinically relevant research that translates into better outcomes for patients here and around the world.

European Molecular Biology Laboratory  – EMBL Australia was launched on 29th March 2010, making Australia the first Associate Member of EMBL. EMBL Australia provides Australian researchers access to EMBL through activities such as funded research positions, collaborative ventures and the formation of research institutes.

Institute for Breathing and Sleep – The Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS) is an incorporated not-for-profit organisation designed to facilitate and coordinate research, education and public advocacy in respiratory and sleep health.

Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research – Established in April 2009, the Institute for Safety, Compensation and Recovery Research (ISCRR) is a joint initiative of WorkSafe Victoria, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and Monash University.

Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research – is a worldwide network of nine branches in seven countries dedicated to basic and clinical cancer research.

Mental Health Research Institute – mission is to further knowledge in mental health, behaviour and neuroscience.

Monash Institute of Medical Research – is committed to excellence in the performance of medical and biological research into the science of reproduction, development and growth.

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) – conducts life-saving medical research and community health research for babies, children and adolescents.

National Ageing Research Institute Inc. – strives to be the centre of excellence in medical research (biological, clinical and service delivery) into the causes and consequences of ageing and its social accompaniments.

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)  – Supporting health and medical research.

National Trauma Research Institute – The NTRI aims to prevent or limit the disabling effects of traumatic injuries through research and education in trauma care. National Vision Research Institute  – Founded in 1972, NVRI pursues research in vision and the disorders of vision.

O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery – The Institute has made striking advances in the delicate craft of replantation surgery and the transfer by microsurgical techniques of body parts and tissue to reconstruct people maimed by trauma, cancer, burns and congenital deformity.

Orygen Youth Health  – Orygen Youth Health Research Centre (OYH-RC) is Australia’s largest youth mental health research centre. Our research aims to understand the biological, psychological and social factors that influence mental illnesses in order to find better ways to prevent and/or reduce the impact of mental disorders for young people.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – a premier resource for cancer patients in the provision of integrated treatment, research and education.

Prince Henry’s Institute of Medical Research – has maintained a reputation for excellence in the field of endocrinology (the study of hormones).

St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research – an enviable reputation within the global scientific community as one of the world’s premier medical research institutes, and is a shining example of Australian intellectual excellence and achievement.

Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research – is one of Australia’s foremost medical research establishments, its mission being “mastery of disease through discovery”.

Teaching Hospitals in Victoria

The Alfred – Alfred Health is a leader in health care delivery, improvement, research and education. We strive to achieve the best possible health outcomes for our patients and our community by integrating clinical practice with research and education.

Austin Health – Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research in the northeast of Melbourne. Austin Health is world-renowned for its research and specialist work in cancer, liver transplantation, spinal cord injuries, neurology, endocrinology, mental health and rehabilitation.

Barwon Health (Geelong Hospital) – The Geelong Hospital has a full suite of medical and surgical services, including cardiothoracic surgery and is one of the busiest hospitals in the state. It is a 406 bed general medical and surgical teaching hospital affiliated with The University of Melbourne and Deakin University with obstetric, paediatric and psychiatric beds.

Monash Medical Centre – Monash Medical Centre Clayton is a 640 bed teaching and research hospital of international standing providing a comprehensive range of specialist surgical, medical, allied health and mental health services to our community.

Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre – Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre is a world leader in cancer treatment, research and education. At Peter Mac we treat more cancer patients each year than any other hospital and our highly skilled medical, nursing and allied health team is backed by the largest cancer research group in Australia.

Royal Children’s Hospital – As the major paediatric hospital in Victoria, the Royal Children’s Hospital provides clinical, academic and advocacy services for children and young people throughout the state. It is internationally recognised as a leading centre for research and education. In its role as a leading paediatric teaching centre, the hospital has affiliations with the University of Melbourne and LaTrobe University and links with other universities in post graduate studies.

Royal Melbourne Hospital – The Royal Melbourne Hospital is one of Victoria’s leading public teaching hospitals, and operates across two campuses. The Royal Melbourne Hospital is a privileged member of Melbourne’s world-leading Parkville Precinct, and enjoys strong relationships with many of the city’s major universities and research institutes.

Royal Women’s Hospital – The Royal Women’s Hospital is Australia’s largest specialist obstetric, gynaecological and neonatal paediatric hospital. We have an outstanding international reputation for research advances and clinical developments.

Royal Victorian Eye and Ear – Proudly serving Victorians since 1863, the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is a state-wide teaching, training and research health service. Specialising in eye, ear, nose and throat (ENT) medicine, it is Australia’s pre-eminent specialty eye and ear hospital.

St Vincent ’s Health – Education is one of the three core roles of St. Vincent’s, along with patient care and research. Most senior staff play an active role in teaching and training. A number of our senior staff hold professorial appointments with the University of Melbourne. While educating health professionals is a priority, St. Vincent’s supports staff at all levels to complete further study and training in their field of expertise.

Western Hospital – Western Health aims to provide work based education and training for Western Health staff and students which will support excellence in practice and career progression opportunity. Some of our training programs are also available as open programs for members of the health and local community.

Universities

Deakin University – By 2012, Deakin aims to have improved its research performance so that it is in the top third of the Australian higher education sector. The staff of Deakin University are responsible for its success. Their dedication to our students, to the research we conduct and to the communities we serve, will ensure the continued success of Deakin University.

Federation University Australia  – Federation University Australia is an institution that combines teaching and research and especially one where teaching is informed by research. The university has moved, in a comparatively short period of time, to being research active. This is a credit to the University’s leaders, the staff and the students. The quest is now to increase the University’s comparative performance. The University continues to focus its research in those areas that both serve and benefit the region and the Institute for Regional and Rural Research and Innovation (IRRRI) leads that focus through its designated research centres.

La Trobe University – La Trobe’s research strategy encourages innovation, specialisation and collaboration. La Trobe is affiliated with the Biosciences Research Centre, the CRC for Plant Biosecurity, the CRC for Molecular Plant Breeding, the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre, the Centre for Sustainable Regional Communities, as well as Departments/Programs including Botany and Zoology.

Monash University – Monash University is committed to finding solutions for 21st Century challenges such as climate change, water shortage, cancer, diabetes, obesity and those posed by terrorism. With campuses and partnerships in Australia and overseas, Monash pursues knowledge and solutions from a global perspective.

RMIT University – We focus on applied research that is delivered in partnership with leading organisations and individuals who are capable of using research outcomes to create products and services that are leading edge. The passion, energy and intellect of our researchers is used to make a difference to the economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being of the communities we operate within here in Australia and internationally through innovative research and research excellence.

Swinburne University of Technology – A commitment to high quality, high impact research is ingrained in Swinburne University. Swinburne has made remarkable progress in research and intends to continue to foster its various areas of research focus – on its way to becoming an internationally respected research-intensive University of Technology. Swinburne actively encourages and values its international and industry connections and recognises that it is this that enriches and enhances the research efforts and careers of our academic staff and students alike.

University of Melbourne – The University of Melbourne is Australia’s second largest research organisation after the CSIRO. The Melbourne Research Office and the School of Graduate Studies are the two major central academic support groups which facilitate the responsible conduct of research through educational, preventive, and service activities.

Victoria University – At Victoria University we provide quality research training, and undertake specialised and cross-disciplinary research that is recognised in Australia and overseas. Our staff and research students are part of an innovative research community made up of University institutes, research centres and faculty research units that make a substantial contribution in their field. We actively pursue opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and organisations to develop innovative technologies that can also be commercialised and transferred for use by business, industry and the broader community.

NHMRC Centres of Clinical Research Excellence (CCREs)

Diabetes CCRE – Based at the University of Melbourne, the Diabetes CCRE seeks to encourage and promote clinical research in diabetes and its complications, with the ultimate goal of improving the treatment and prevention of this disease.

CCRE for Translational Clinical Research in Major Eye Diseases  – This CCRE will fund a world-leading, broad-based, clinical and translational research program in Melbourne and Sydney to tackle the four eye diseases that cause the majority of vision loss in Australia: age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, cataract and glaucoma eye diseases. The CCRE will be headquartered at the Centre for Eye Research Australia in Victoria.

CCRE in Newborn Medicine  – Based at the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, the CCRE in Newborn Medicine will study adverse outcomes for the brains and lungs of newborn babies.

Biosciences Research Centre – AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience.

The Victorian Government, through the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), and La Trobe University (La Trobe) are investing in a world-class centre for agricultural biosciences research and development through a AUD$288 million public-private partnership.

The building will be known as AgriBio, the Centre for AgriBioscience . AgriBio will focus on cutting-edge research to improve productivity, fight disease and reduce environmental impact, to protect Victoria’s $11.8 billion agricultural sector.

CRCs are an incorporated or unincorporated organisation, formed through collaborative partnerships between publicly funded researchers and end users. CRCs must comprise at least one Australian end-user (either from the private, public or community sector) and one Australian higher education institution (or research institute affiliated with a university).

Cooperative Research Centre

There are currently seven broad CRC sectors.

CRC for Biomarker Translation (CRC-BT) – The CRC-BT focuses on the development of diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases. The CRC-BT is headquartered at La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria. CRC for Biomedical Imaging Development (CRC BID) – The primary aims of the CRC BID are to develop new and advanced imaging techniques and equipment for application in biomedicine; and to foster the growth of Australian expertise in biomedical imaging. The CRC BID is headquartered in Bundoora, Victoria.

Cancer Therapeutics CRC (CTx) – The focus of the CTx is working on the discovery and early development of small molecule drugs or enabling therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. Ctx is headquartered at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute’s Biotechnology Centre in Bundoora, Victoria.

CRC for Mental Health – The CRC for Mental Health researches early detection and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and psychoses. The CRC’s research includes areas such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease and psychoses such as schizophrenia and mood disorders.

CRC for Oral Health Science – The CRC for Oral Health Science brings together scientists, dentists, population health experts and manufacturers to find new and efficient ways of reducing the burden of oral disease in Australia. The CRC for Oral Health Science is headquartered at the Royal Dental Hospital, Carlton, Victoria.

CRC for Polymers – The research focus of the CRC for Polymers is on developing ‘functional’ (i.e. responsive to physical or biological stimuli) and higher value-added specialty polymers for emerging high growth opportunities. The Polymer CRC is headquartered in Notting Hill, Victoria. The HEARing CRC – The HEARing CRC brings together an internationally unique consortium dedicated to the common purpose of ‘creating sound value’ through research – to prevent and better remediate the lost productivity resulting from hearing loss in children and adults. The HEARing CRC is headquartered at the University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria.

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Strategic coordination of funding for health and medical research

Challenge: uncoordinated funding sources for health and medical research leads to breaks in the pipeline, inefficiencies and exclusions.

Health and medical research is funded and administered by at least five separate federal portfolios (Health, Education, Industry/innovation, Defence & Foreign Affairs). State and territory governments are also providing varying levels of funding, so too are non-government organisations across philanthropy, private healthcare and industry.

While each provides valuable funding, these sources have grown independently with little inter-scheme coordination resulting in duplication of effort and inefficient allocation of funding in some places. Most importantly running multiple, uncoordinated streams of research adds to the administration costs for funders. It is a disincentive for attracting funding from other sources, including private capital and philanthropy.

Another area of focus is consistency of funding. Funding and incentives are available for some stages along the journey for both commercial and non-commercial translation, but the connections between these different stages are tenuous, or do not exist. While the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), Australian Research Council (ARC) and other programs provide strong funding for projects at particular stages, there is not seamless support for research and innovation from concept to delivery. There are too many barriers to collaboration between publicly funded researchers, the private sector and the health system.

Multiple funding streams exacerbate the problem that researchers expend several months every year submitting numerous applications to programs with low success rates.

As a consequence of this lack of strategic coordination, Australia is not fully exploiting health and medical research and innovation as a resource to improve the efficiency and productivity of our health system and its health workforce. 1 With Australian healthcare expenditure in 2018-19 estimated to be $196 billion, even small improvements in efficiency and productivity can provide significant dividends benefitting the health of Australians, and the broader economy. 2 We are also failing to capitalise on the full commercial potential of our research and innovation, and the job opportunities and prosperity doing so can provide.

There are examples in other parts of the Australian economy we can draw on, such as the drive for clean energy. Basic research is undertaken at universities, funded by the Australian Research Council. Translational research is undertaken by a broader range of organisations, including universities, the CSIRO, Cooperative Research Centres and companies, and is funded from a broader range of sources. Demonstration programs are implemented by companies with support from research organisations and funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Funding for early stage commercial deployment of technology by companies is funded by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation. 3

A National Health and Medical Research Strategy

Imagining and preparing for the Australia we want in 50 years’ time must start today. An overarching national research strategy that ensures coordinated, strategic public investment in all stages of research, would maximise impact in areas of greatest need and exploit areas of international competitive advantage.

Over half of the 20 reviews into health and medical research conducted in Australia over the last 15 years have recommend establishing a National Health and Medical Research Strategy. The McKeon Review said a national strategy would, ‘…deliver the vision to build and maintain a healthy and wealthy Australia that has the world’s best and most efficient health system.’ 4

A 2021 report from Industry, Innovation and Science Australia (IISA) recommends whole-of-government innovation, science and research priorities to drive investment decisions. The IISA report also recommends appropriate funding for the indirect costs of research and ensuring investment in basic research does not fall below current levels (22% of overall R&D investment). 5

Similarly, the 2020 National Strategic Action Plan for Rare Diseases recommends a national research strategy ‘…to foster, support and drive all types of research for rare diseases, contributing to agreed priorities and systematically addressing gaps’. 6

There is support from the sector itself for reframing of Australia’s ‘system’ for funding health and medical research. 7

As a result of COVID-19, now, more than ever, there is public goodwill toward this national capability. A modern National Research and Innovation Strategy for Health could be focused around:

• a clearly defined process for funding health and medical research from basic research to translation (commercial and non-commercial) with clearly articulated, complementary roles for the multiple streams of federal funding;
• implementation, including manufacture, of a product or technology and/or adoption as routine clinical care;
• connecting research innovation to improved public and patient outcomes;
• a coordinated plan for selecting priority translational Australian biomedical research; and
• situating health and medical research within national research priorities of related areas including industry and innovation policy.

Challenge: Who drives a National Health and Medical Research Strategy?

While there are currently different bodies responsible for parts of health and medical research policy and funding, there is no body with the remit for a whole-of-government national strategy.

Such a body could provide guidance on high-level national research priorities and the collaborations that can be formed to support those priorities. Its role would include an information exchange to avoid unnecessary duplication of research efforts and funding programs within the Commonwealth as well as with the state and territory governments and other sources such as philanthropy and industry.

Such a body will require careful implementation. It must be cognisant of the roles and activities of state and territory governments and provide opportunities for their participation, particularly as providers of health services. It should not replicate or replace the AMRAB or the NHMRC’s Research Council.

The United Kingdom’s independent Office for Strategic Coordination of Health Research (OSCHR) offers a possible model for Australia. 8

The OSCHR was created to facilitate a cultural change among the public funders of health research to address the barriers to research collaboration and to support the application and translation of basic research into patient care and economic benefit. 9

OSCHR Board is made up of key representatives from government departments and agencies, universities, medical research institutes, research funding bodies (like Australia’s MRFF, NHMRC, ARC) and other representatives from the Wellcome Trust, Association of Medical Research Charities and Research England.

1 Similar issues lead to the creation of the UK Office of Strategic Coordination of Health Research 

2 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2020. Health expenditure Australia 2018–19. Health and welfare expenditure series no.66. Cat. no. HWE 80. Canberra: AIHW.

3 See for example, https://www.cefc.com.au/

4 Department of Health, Strategic Review of Health and Medical Research Summary Report , 2013

5 Ibid, Australian Government, Industry, Innovation and Science Australia, 2021

6 https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/national-strategic-action-plan-for-rare-diseases

7 Research Australia polled 1200 medical researchers in June 2020 and Nearly two thirds of medical researchers (62.5%) support a longer-term restructure of Australia’s health and medical research funding framework.

8 https://mrc.ukri.org/about/what-we-do/spending-accountability/oschr/

9 HM Treasury, A review of UK health research funding , 2006.

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Home » Health & Medical Research » Health Research in Australia

Health Research in Australia

The purpose of health and medical research is to deliver better health outcomes for all.

Medical researchers are investigating a wide range of areas affecting human health outcomes, including public health, genomics, bionics and biomaterials, cancer, cardiovascular disease, mental health, indigenous health, stem cells and tissue engineering.

Health and medical research leads to positive health outcomes

• More than 32,000 medical researchers carry out their world-leading research in medical research institutes, hospitals and universities in Australia. This research forms the foundation of life science, biotechnology, medical technology and pharmaceutical industries as well as informing the best clinical policy and practice.
• Medical research describes a wide range of research activities including laboratory research, public health, epidemiological studies, health services research, clinical research on patient samples as well as clinical trials.
• Medical research in Australia has led to life-changing discoveries including the artificial heart valve (Victor Chang), in vitro fertilisation or IVF (Carl Wood), understanding a major risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) (Terry Dwyer), understanding the role of antibodies in the immune system (Gustav Nossal), and the discovery that the bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, leads to gastritis and peptic ulcers (Barry Marshall & Robin Warren).

As well as positive health outcomes, investment in research can lead to economic outcomes and savings in the health system

• Investment in the NHMRC between 2000-2015 equated to a net benefit of $23.4 billion over a period of 15 years (ASMR, 2016)
• Each $1 invested in medical research leads to $3.90 return in health benefits (KPMG, 2018).

Clinical trials are part of health and medical research in Australia and play an essential role in improving healthcare

• Clinical trials are used to investigate the effectiveness of new drugs, new treatments, behavioural therapies, new uses for existing drugs and new prevention strategies. When the outcomes of clinical trials are put into practice, they form the basis of evidence-based medicine, which can lead to considerable additional health and economic gains (Australian Clinical Trials Alliance, 2017).
• While commercially-orientated clinical trials are usually funded by industry, non-commercial clinical trials for the public good are funded by government, philanthropic donors and research institutions (medical research institutes, universities or hospitals).
• Clinical trials can generate a return of $5.80 for every $1 invested (for investigator initiated trials conducted by clinical trials networks) (Australian Clinical Trials Alliance, 2017).
• 1,880 ongoing clinical trials in 2019, which contributed about $1.4 billion to the Australian economy and supported  8,000 jobs (MTP Connect, 2021).

Medical research underpins the biotechnology, medical technology and pharmaceutical industries

• Australia has over 50 pharmaceutical companies, 400 biotechnology companies and 500 medical technology companies, where over 100 are listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (MTP Connect, 2016).
• Australia’s Medical Technology and Pharmaceutical sector is the 8th most valuable exporter for the nation, worth $8.2 billion in 2019 (MTPConnect, 2020).

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Research Institutes in Australia

Many higher education institutions and independent research institutes in Australia are researching many topics across many disciplines. Notably, the country has countless medical research institutes and organizations – many of which are represented by the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes. The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) is Australian’s national science agency. CSIRO engages in flagship programs where large-scale, long-term scientific projects develop a major scientific or industrial concern. The Energy Transformed Flagship, for example, aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions by providing sustainable, efficient, cost effective energy solutions for electricity supply and transport. Research Australia is a national non-profit alliance of organizations and companies developing health and wellness research issues, such as improvements in diabetes research and heart disease. The Australian Research Council (ARC), the lead public body in research, supports applied research and research training in all sectors private, governmental and educational through grants and promotional initiatives.

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March 26, 2024

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Coral research finds bleaching impedes reproduction and hinders recovery

by Australian Institute of Marine Science

Bleaching can suppress reproduction in a common coral species found in the Great Barrier Reef, hampering future reef replenishment, new research led by the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) and James Cook University (JCU) has identified.

The research on populations of a branching stony coral (Acropora millepora) in Woppaburra sea Country of the Keppel Islands near Yeppoon, highlights the importance of overlooked impacts of bleaching events and how they can impede recovery.

The research is published as aerial surveys undertaken by AIMS and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) have confirmed a fifth mass coral bleaching event since 2016 unfolding across the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The work is published in the journal Coral Reefs .

Aerial surveys over the Keppel Islands in February observed extensive bleaching in nearshore areas consistent with increased sea surface temperatures and accumulated heat exposure in the wider southern region. In-water surveys conducted by AIMS are continuing in order to assess the severity of the bleaching.

Lead author Nico Briggs said his study found a 21% decrease in the reproductive output of Acropora millepora despite apparent recovery and low mortality after the 2020 mass bleaching event.

"Coral bleaching isn't always a death sentence for every coral. Corals can and do recover if stress inducing conditions subside. But our research shows there is a price to pay for recovery in terms of a coral's reproductive capacity, which is a critical driver of post-disturbance replenishment on coral reefs," Mr. Briggs said.

"We are seeing more frequent and severe bleaching events driven by climate change on the Great Barrier Reef and reefs worldwide. Our findings add to the mounting evidence that surviving coral populations are facing an increasingly uphill battle for recovery, in part due to sublethal impacts of bleaching events."

Mr. Briggs and his co-authors collected samples from almost 100 Acropora millepora colonies that were known to have bleached in the 2020 event and survived. The samples were collected six months after the bleaching and just before the annual coral spawning event in late October.

In dissecting the samples, the scientists found the number eggs produced within coral polyps decreased by 21% in colonies that had bleached severely, despite visual recovery, or return of the corals' color.

Recent in-water work by AIMS scientists included collecting samples from these corals to understand how the colonies have responded to this latest bleaching. More samples will be collected prior to the annual coral spawning later in the year.

Co-author Dr. Cathie Page said understanding how bleaching affects coral reproduction is a vital step towards improving predictions of reef trajectories under a warming climate.

"We know that the corals in Woppaburra sea Country are tough and resilient. There was little mortality after the 2020 bleaching event, despite these corals being exposed to accumulated heat stress that often results in mortality," she said.

"Their resilience is partly to do with environmental conditions in the region, with tides and currents helping to reduce water temperatures, provide sun protection and deliver extra food. But as this research shows, they paid a price for their recovery.

"The impact of bleaching on reproduction is likely to vary among coral species. Understanding this will help us to know what these reefs may look like in five to 10 years time, helping us to target interventions."

Mr. Briggs added the paper also highlighted the importance of a multi-faceted approach to helping coral reefs under a changing climate.

"Typical assessments of coral health after a bleaching event consist of surveys to determine how much coral lived or died, but these surveys miss longer-term impacts to health, such as impacts to reproduction and growth.

"The best chance for coral reefs to persist into the future requires a strong reduction in global greenhouse emissions to stabilize temperatures, best practice management of local pressures, and the development of innovative interventions to help boost climate tolerance and resilience for coral reefs," he said.

Journal information: Coral Reefs

Provided by Australian Institute of Marine Science

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