An Alliance for Discoveries in Health
- Advocacy and leadership in health and medical research
- Shaping Policy
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Celebrating Australian Research Excellence
Along with our 170 member and supporter organisations, Research Australia conducts Australia’s leading “whole of community” program to raise the profile health and medical research. Independent of government and not-for-profit, Research Australia's activities are funded by its members, donors and supporters from leading research organisations, academic institutions, philanthropy, community special interest groups, peak industry bodies, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, small businesses and corporate Australia.
In the current policy intense environment, Research Australia is working with the university, institute, industry and services sector to highlight the importance of research in generating solutions to health care and systems. Increasingly we are focused on Australia in the nationally competitive research environment. Our challenge is to secure a continued commitment to research to contribute to improvements in both national and global health, and to meet the challenges of the globalised, competitive research and innovation environment.
Membership of Research Australia provides an opportunity to support the alliance in the development of policy, advocacy to promote supportive community attitudes, and to extend your networks across the diversity of our membership base.
History
Research Australia was established in December 2000. It was formed as a result of recommendations in the Australian Government’s Strategic Review into Health and Medical Research, headed by Peter Wills AC.
A major outcome of the Wills Review was the doubling of the National Health and Medical Research Council budget for the five years 1999-2004. However, Australia still ranks well below the OECD average for expenditure on health and medical research. Consequently strengthening of the research sector is critical for Australia’s economic position in the global market place.
Establishment of Research Australia was made possible through the foresight and support of a select group of Members and Donors. This group provided significant funding over three years, enabling Research Australia to build a solid operational platform, secure members and to develop a diverse range of programs.
The early and ongoing support of the Australian Stock Exchange has been pivotal in the establishment of the Research Australia office in Sydney and the Victorian Government provided support to establish the Research Australia office in Melbourne.
Health and Medical Research Strategic Review (Wills Report), 1998
Summary of Health and Medical Research Strategic Review (Wills Report), 1998