Submission to the National Health & Medical Research Strategy

Australia’s successful health and medical research sector plays a key role in driving innovation, improving patient outcomes, and strengthening the economy and has enormous potential to do more. To ensure investment in research can build impactful outcomes and build Australian success stories over the long term, challenges must be addressed: in the way in which funding is organised; the sustainability of our workforce; how our data is governed; and declining trust in science. By implementing strategic funding reforms, strengthening data governance, supporting a sustainable research workforce, and enhancing public understanding of science, the National Health and Medical Research Strategy (NHMRS) can help secure Australia’s position as a global leader in medical research and innovation.

ATSE makes the following recommendations:

Recommendation 1: Increase long-term R&D investment to strengthen workforce stability and innovation.

Recommendation 2: Outline a plan for government funding agencies to fully cover the costs of health and medical research for the projects they allocate support to.

Recommendation 3: Embed funding for First Nations-led research with strong IP protections and to ensure ethical application of Traditional Knowledge.

Recommendation 4: Embed job security and progression opportunities for researchers within the National Health & Medical Research Strategy.

Recommendation 5: Continue to implement targeted programs and initiatives to address career progression barriers that disproportionately impact underrepresented groups.

Recommendation 6: Provide funding and protected time for clinician researchers to balance clinical and research work.

Recommendation 7: Include public communication of health and medical research and outcomes as a principle of the National Health & Medical Research Strategy.

Recommendation 8: Embed data governance and sovereignty in the National Health and Medical Research Strategy.