We have published a wealth of information on Australian health and medical research, and on specific issues relating to Australian health and health care. These include statements, strategies, guidelines and other reports – all of which are publicly available.
Read our latest publications
Payment of participants in research: information for researchers, HRECs and other ethics review bodies
NHMRC has developed advice that is designed to provide information for researchers and reviewers of research to assist in decision-making about when payment of participants in research is ethically acceptable.
Information paper: The implementation of the 3Rs in Australia
The fundamental framework for the ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals for scientific purposes in Australia includes the application of the 3Rs – Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal use. This Information Paper provides information about the implementation of the 3Rs in Australia. For further information, please refer to the webpage about the 3Rs.
NHMRC Corporate Plan 2019-20
The NHMRC Corporate Plan 2019-20 covers the period 2019-20 to 2022-23. It identifies the major health issues for this period, how we will deal with these issues and a strategy for medical research and public health research, in line with the requirements of the NHMRC Act. It also describes NHMRC’s purposes, planned activities and performance measures for the period and addresses our capability, environment and risk oversight and management.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 September 2018 to 28 February 2019
The 33rd biannual report
ME/CFS Advisory Committee Report to NHMRC Chief Executive Officer
This report advises the NHMRC Chief Executive Officer on the current needs for research and clinical guidance for ME/CFS in Australia.
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019)
The guidelines are produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council in collaboration with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, and are accessible in two formats: a new IT platform (MAGICapp), or via a pdf (see 'Download' section below)
NHMRC's Research Quality Strategy
Ensuring the highest quality and value of NHMRC-funded research is a priority for NHMRC. NHMRC’s Research Quality Strategy outlines the key areas NHMRC will focus on to provide guidance and support for good research practices throughout the research cycle.
Action Plan 2018 - 2021 Triennium to implement Road Map 3
Linked to Road Map 3: A Strategic Framework for Improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health through Research (Road Map 3)
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 March 2018 to 31 August 2018
The 32nd biannual report.
NHMRC's Gender Equality Strategy 2018-2021
The aim of NHMRC's Gender Equality Strategy is to achieve a gender-equal health and medical research workforce by supporting an increase in the retention and progression of women.
Competencies for Australian Academic Clinical Trialists
In conjunction with the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance, we developed the clinical trials competencies to be used in the development of detailed curricula and training courses by universities, Colleges and other registered training organisations.
NHMRC Good Practice Process for Site Assessment and Authorisation of Clinical Trials
To improve clinical trial start-up times, we developed the Good Practice Process for Site Assessment and Authorisation Phases of Clinical Trial Research Governance (the Good Practice Process).
Annual report 2017-2018
This report contains information on NHMRC administration and performance, and a record of our activities for the reporting period 2017–18.
Ten of the best NHMRC research projects 2016
Ten of the Best NHMRC Research Projects 2016 describes ten Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the thousands of NHMRC funded medical research projects underway in Australia today.
Guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes
The Guidelines to promote the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes: The assessment and alleviation of pain and distress in research animals (2008) provide guidance on how to support and safeguard the wellbeing of animals used for scientific purposes.
Notice: This publication is more than five years old and may no longer reflect current evidence or best practice.
NHMRC Corporate Plan 2018–2019
The NHMRC Corporate Plan 2018–2019 covers the period 2018–19 to 2021–22. It identifies the major health issues for this period, how we will deal with these issues and a strategy for medical research and public health research, in line with the requirements of the NHMRC Act. It also describes NHMRC’s purposes, planned activities and performance measures for the period and addresses our capability, environment and risk oversight and management.
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) - Updated 2018
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) (National Statement (2007) consists of a series of guidelines made in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee report to Parliament - 1 September 2017 to 28 February 2018
The 31st biannual report.
Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018
The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2018 (the 2018 Code) establishes a framework for responsible research conduct that provides a foundation for high-quality research, credibility and community trust in the research endeavour.
Road Map 3 - A strategic framework
Road Map 3: A strategic framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research. Report of Community Consultation.
Embryo research licensing: key terms
A useful guide explaining key terms used in embryo research. Provides definitions of the main terms used, including biological definitions and therapy explanations.
Annual report 2016-2017
This report contains information on our organisation, administration and performance for the reporting period 2016–17. It is a record of our activities during 2016–17 and the performance and financial information presented in the 2016–17 Portfolio (Agency) Budget Statement, 2016–17 Portfolio Additional Estimates Statement and the Corporate Plan 2016–2017.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee information kit
This Kit is divided into five chapters, covering different aspects of the NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee’s activities:
Managing individual exposure to lead in Australia
Managing individual exposure to lead in Australia – A guide for health practitioners (The Guide) provides health practitioners with general information to assist in the management of individuals with elevated blood lead levels.
Best practice methodology in the use of animals for scientific purposes
This document provides advice on the conduct of animal-based studies to ensure that the studies are rigorous, transparent and reproducible and lead to useful outcomes. It is in line with the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, 8th edition (2013), which is adopted into legislation across Australia.
NHMRC Strategic Plan for 2007-2009
This strategic plan outlines the major objectives of the NHMRC over the next three years, the major health issues that may emerge in the coming years and the steps needed to address them.
2017 Public Statement – Water fluoridation and human health
Based on a comprehensive review of the evidence and the translation of this evidence into the Information Paper Water fluoridation: dental and other human health outcomes, this also takes into consideration what the situation is here in Australia compared to elsewhere.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee report to Parliament - 1 March 2017 to 31 August 2017
The 30th biannual report.
NHMRC Corporate Plan 2017–2018
The NHMRC Corporate Plan 2017–2018 covers the period 2017–18 to 2020–21. It includes NHMRC’s strategic directions, which prior to 2015–16 were set out in the strategic plan.
Water fluoridation: dental and other human health outcomes
This Information Paper explores the potential link between water fluoridation and human health based. The 2016 NHMRC Evidence Evaluation shows that water fluoridation helps to reduce tooth decay in children and adults. There is no reliable evidence that water fluoridation at current Australian levels causes health problems.
Ethical guidelines on the use of assisted reproductive technology
The Ethical guidelines on the use of assisted reproductive technology in clinical practice and research (ART guidelines) are used by professional organisations to set standards for the practice of ART.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee report to Parliament - 1 September 2016 to 31 February 2017
The 29th biannual report.
Safety monitoring and reporting in clinical trials involving therapeutic goods
This document clarifies the responsibilities of those involved in clinical trials to monitor and report adverse events and other safety issues. Supplementary guidance on other clinical trial safety monitoring and reporting issues is also available.
Annual Report 2015-2016
This report was prepared in accordance with Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (non-corporate Commonwealth Entity) Annual Reporting Rule 2016. It contains information on NHMRC’s organisation, administration and performance for the reporting period 2015–16.
Principles and guidelines for the care and use of non-human primates for scientific purposes
This document provides principles and best practice guidance for the care and use of non-human primates for scientific purposes. The document is intended for use by those involved in the care and use of non-human primates for scientific purposes, including institutional animal ethics committees, investigators and animal carers.
Statement on consumer and community involvement in health and medical research
The active involvement of consumers and community members in health and medical research benefits the quality and direction of research. Consumer and community involvement is about research being carried out with or by consumers and community members rather than to, about or for them.
NHMRC Corporate Plan 2016–2017
The NHMRC Corporate Plan 2016–2017 covers the period 2016–17 to 2019–20. It includes NHMRC’s strategic directions, which prior to 2015–16 were set out in the strategic plan.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee report to Parliament - 1 March 2016 to 31 August 2016
The 28th biannual report.
International Engagement Strategy
The International Engagement Strategy outlines our approach to prioritising new and existing activities with our international partners over the next three years.
NHMRC Complaints policy
The NHMRC Complaints Policy sets out NHMRC’s formal procedures for responding to complaints about its activities, policies or decision-making.
Ten of the best NHMRC research projects 2015
Ten of the Best NHMRC Research Projects 2015 describes ten Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the thousands of NHMRC funded medical research projects underway in Australia today.
Ethical guidelines for organ transplantation from deceased donors
The Ethical guidelines for organ transplantation from deceased donors were developed by NHMRC following a joint request from the Organ and Tissue Authority and the Transplantation Society of Australia and New Zealand.
NHMRC Research funding facts book 2014
This book contains key statistics on the outcomes of the 2014 application rounds for NHMRC’s research funding, as well as historical information relating to research funding and activity over the last ten years.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee report to Parliament - 1 September 2015 to 29 February 2016
The 27th biannual report.
Principles for accessing and using publicly funded data for health research
A guide to the legislative and governance structure to refer to when accessing datasets from publicly funded research. This page also contains a single page summary to the guide and a consumer guide.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee report to Parliament - 1 March 2015 to 31 August 2015
The 26th biannual report.
NHMRC Corporate Plan 2015–2016
This Corporate Plan sets out NHMRC’s purposes, planned activities and performance for the period 2015–16 to 2018–19, and addresses capability, environment and risk oversight and management in line with PGPA Act requirements.
Guidelines approved under Section 95A of the Privacy Act 1988
The Guidelines approved under Section 95A of the Privacy Act 1988 are issued for the purposes of Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and sections 16B(2) and 16B(3) of the Privacy Act.
Guidelines under Section 95 of the Privacy Act 1988
These guidelines provide a framework in which medical research involving personal information obtained by Commonwealth agencies should be conducted, to ensure the information is protected.
Clinical ethics capacity building resource manual
This manual demonstrates the need for clinical ethics capacity in Australian health care organisations and provides guidance for institutions wishing to establish or strengthen an existing clinical ethics service.