Read our latest publications

A guide to the care and use of Australian native mammals in research and teaching

This guide supports the implementation of the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition (2013) by providing advise about the specific and unique needs of Australian native mammals can be met when these animals are used for scientific purposes. 

It provides information for investigators, institutions, animal ethics committees and all those involved in the care and use of Australian native mammals for scientific purposes. 

  • Guideline
  • Current

Direct-to-Consumer genetic testing - statement

Genetic tests are easily purchased by consumers, often over the internet and usually without the involvement of a medical professional. These tests can be used in diagnosing medical conditions or pre-dispositions. 

The statement highlights issues for medical professionals and consumers regarding the use of health-related genetic testing.

  • Statement
  • Current

Understanding Direct-to-Consumer genetic DNA testing

The number of direct to consumer DNA tests consumers can buy over the internet, without the involvement of a doctor, has been rising.

This resource is to inform consumers about test accuracy, privacy legislation and what it may mean for personal insurances and blood relations.

  • Factsheet
  • Rescinded

Prostate-Specific Antigen testing in asymptomatic men

This information has been developed for health practitioners to support discussion with men and their families about prostate-specific antigen testing for prostate cancer. It covers benefits, possible risks, current research and frequently asked questions.

  • Clinical guideline
  • Current

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.

  • Guideline
  • Current

Guidelines approved under Section 95AA of the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)

The Privacy Legislation Amendment Act 2006 (Cth) made changes to the Privacy Act 1988(Cth) (the Privacy Act) to allow health practitioners to disclose patient’s genetic information, whether or not they give consent, in circumstances where there is reasonable belief that doing so is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious threat to the life, health or safety of their genetics relative(s).  The amendments do not oblige disclosure of information but provide the framework for this to occur under the appropriate circumstances.

  • Guideline
  • Current
Cells

10 of the Best 2013

10 of the Best research projects 2013 showcases 10 Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the thousands of NHMRC-funded medical research projects underway in Australia.

These projects illustrate the extraordinary quality and diversity of work being undertaken with NHMRC support.

See more 10 of the Best

  • 10 of the Best
  • Corporate archive

Genetic discrimination

Discrimination against an individual can appear in many forms. As DNA testing increasingly identifies differences in the genetic make-up of individuals, it becomes possible that people will be discriminated against based on genetic information. 

  • Factsheet
  • Rescinded

Personalised medicine and genetics

Using information about genetic predisposition to disease is a key part of personalised medicine. This resource has been developed to provide information to consumers about personalised medicine and genetics.

  • Factsheet
  • Rescinded

Use of genetic information in sport

DNA testing can be used for a number of purposes not related to health. One area of interest is the potential for DNA testing and genetic profiles in sport applications such as talent identification, individualised training programs and avoidance of sport-related injury.

  • Guideline

The human genome

This resource has been developed to provide information to consumers about the human genome.

  • Factsheet
  • Rescinded

Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity

The Clinical Practice Guidelines for the management of overweight and obesity in adults, adolescents and children in Australia is intended for use by clinicians including general practitioners. 

  • Clinical guideline
  • Rescinded

NHMRC Strategic Plan for 2013-2015

This document includes NHMRC priorities, the major health issues identified for the 2013-15 period, how NHMRC will deal with those issues and a strategy for medical research and public health research.

 

  • Current

Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes

The purpose of the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code) is to promote the ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals used for scientific purposes. It provides guidance for investigators, institutions, animals ethics committees, animal carers and all those involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Further information about the background and purpose of the Code is also available.

A web version of the Code is provided below.

A PDF version of the Code is available under 'Downloads'

Guidance documents about implementation of Section 7: Cosmetic Testing of the Code are available under ‘Downloads’.

  • Guideline
  • Current

Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services

This Staying healthy: Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services replaces the 4th edition and represents an increased focus on a risk-management approach to infection prevention and control principles in daily care activities.

  • Clinical guideline
  • Under review

Sequencing your genome

Rapid advances in DNA sequencing technologies now allow an individual’s whole genome to be sequenced. 

  • Guideline
  • Rescinded

Clinical Practice Guideline - Borderline Personality Disorder

This Clinical Practice Guideline for the management of Borderline Personality Disorder will assist health professionals to diagnose, treat and manage BPD in adolescents and adults.

  • Clinical guideline
  • Rescinded

Australian Dietary Guidelines

To ensure we can make healthy food choices, we need dietary advice based on the best scientific evidence. This Guideline seeks to offer the best advice on dietary patterns that promote optimal health and wellbeing for the generally healthy Australian population.

 

  • Guideline
  • Current

Biobanks information paper

This paper provides information on the establishment, management and governance of biobanks in Australia. A biobank is a collection of human biological material held for health and medical research. Biobanks facilitate this research, while protecting participants’ interests and privacy.

  • Guideline
  • Current
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10 of the Best 2012

10 of the Best research projects 2012 showcases 10 Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the thousands of NHMRC-funded medical research projects in Australia.

See more 10 of the Best

  • 10 of the Best
  • Corporate archive

Medical genetic testing: Health information for you and your family

This factsheet aims to support people to: understand the basics of DNA, genes and chromosomes; consider whether to get tested; understand the potential outcomes of the genetic testing process; and find more information and support.

  • Factsheet
  • Rescinded

DNA Genetic Testing in the Australian Context

The full title of this factsheet is: DNA Genetic Testing in the Australian Context: A Statement from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

  • Statement
  • Current

Certification handbook 

This handbook outlines the requirements and procedures for the certification of institutions under our National Certification Scheme of Institutional Processes Related to the Ethical Review of Multi-centre Research.

The handbook is currently under review. Before commencing steps to apply for certification, please contact us at HREC.admin@nhmrc.gov.au for further advice.

  • Guideline
  • Under review

Infant Feeding Guidelines: information for health workers

The Infant Feeding Guidelines are written to assist health workers provide consistent advice about breastfeeding and infant feeding. They provide a review of the evidence, and clear evidence-based recommendations on infant feeding for health workers.

  • Guideline
  • Current

NHMRC Statement on Cancer Clusters

The aim of the statement is to provide the general public with information on the assessment and management of cancer clusters. It is intended to support guidelines issues by State and Territory Departments and Cancer Councils.

  • Statement
  • Current
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10 of the Best 2011

10 of the Best research projects 2011 showcases 10 Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the thousands of NHMRC-funded medical research projects in Australia.

See more 10 of the Best

  • 10 of the Best
  • Corporate archive

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (the Guidelines) provide guidance to water regulators and suppliers on monitoring and managing drinking water quality.

April 2023: Please note NHMRC has identified an error of minor significance in the September 2022 update to the microbial water quality guidance (Chapter 5 and Appendix 3 of the Guidelines). Information about the error and the proposed corrections that will be made to the next version of the Guidelines are outlined below in the Public Notice.

  • Guideline
  • Current

Report of the Independent Review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002

The Report of the Independent Review of the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 and the research involving human embryos Act 2002 offers a review of legislation regarding the use of human clones for reproduction and the use of human embryos in research.

  • Report
  • Current

Meeting the 2011 NHMRC standard for clinical practice guidelines

The Procedures and requirements for meeting the 2011 NHMRC standard for clinical practice guidelines are designed to support guideline developers, including those seeking NHMRC approval, to ensure that guidelines are developed to the highest standard.

  • Guideline
  • Current

Community water planner

The Community water planner: A tool for small communities to develop drinking water management plans was a web-based tool developed to help assess and manage the risks in remote Australian community water supplies. This tool is no longer available.

  • Guideline
  • Corporate archive
Pregnant lady with doctor

Iodine supplementation for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

Iodine is an essential nutrient that humans need in very small quantities. The thyroid uses iodine to produce hormones vital to ensure normal development of the brain and nervous system before birth, in babies and young children. For this reason, it is very important that pregnant and breastfeeding women get enough iodine.

  • Statement
  • Current
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10 of the Best 2010

10 of the Best research projects 2010 showcases 10 Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the thousands of NHMRC-funded medical research projects in Australia.

See more 10 of the Best

  • 10 of the Best
  • Corporate archive
father kissing baby

Vitamin K administration to newborns: Joint statement

The Vitamin K administration to newborn infants to prevent vitamin K deficiency bleeding in infancy recommendations for Vitamin K to be given to newborn children.

 

  • Statement
  • Current

Road map II: A strategic framework for improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through research

Road map II: A strategic framework for improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through research will be used by the NHMRC’s Research Committee to identify research topics requiring priority funding.

 

  • Current

Medical Genetic Testing: information for health professionals

The paper identifies key issues that should be considered in relation to genetic testing, and identifies relevant resources, guidelines, standards, and requirements that are pertinent for the delivery of genetic testing in Australia.

  • Guideline
  • Current

Challenging ethical issues in contemporary research

Human Ethics Committees have a difficult and sometimes controversial role in guiding the Australian research community’s work with people. Challenging ethical issues in contemporary research on human beings focuses on some of the most challenging ethical issues using case studies and through discussions.

  • Report
  • Current
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10 of the Best 2009

10 of the Best Research Projects 2009 showcases 10 Australian health and medical research projects chosen from among the thousands of NHMRC-funded medical research projects in Australia.

See more 10 of the Best

  • 10 of the Best
  • Corporate archive

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. 

  • Guideline
  • More than five years old

Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling

The Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Augmentation of drinking water supplies builds on guidance provided in Phase 1 on the planned use of recycled water (treated sewage and stormwater) to top up drinking water supplies.

  • Guideline
  • Current

Ethical guidelines: care of people in post-coma unresponsiveness

NHMRC provides advice about the care of people in post-coma unresponsiveness (vegetative state) or a minimally responsive state. 

 

  • Guideline
  • Current

Guidelines for managing risks in recreational water

These guidelines aim to protect Australians from threats posed by the recreational use of coastal, estuarine and fresh water environments. These guidelines are currently being updated by NHMRC’s Recreational Water Quality Advisory Committee

  • Guideline
  • Current

Objective Criteria for determining embryos that are unsuitable for implantation

This criteria must be used for determining embryos that are considered unsuitable for implantation and that may be used for research. The NHMRC will continue to work with the scientific community to update and refine these Objective Criteria as additional scientifically authenticated information becomes available.

 

  • Guideline
  • Current

Organ and tissue donation after death, for transplantation

These guidelines outline ethical principles for health professionals involved in donation after death and provide guidance on how these principles can be put into practice.

  • Clinical guideline
  • Under review

Making a decision about living organ and tissue donation

This booklet aims to help people think through some ethical issues and make decisions about living organ and tissue donation. If you are thinking of making a living donation, the doctors caring for you can give you more information that is relevant to your situation.

  • Guideline
  • Under review

Making a decision about organ and tissue donation after death

The booklet aims to help people think through some ethical issues and make informed decisions about organ and tissue donation after death.

  • Guideline
  • Under review

Organ and tissue donation by living donors

These guidelines outline ethical practice for health professionals involved in living organ and tissue donation and provides guidance on how these principles can be put into practice.

  • Clinical guideline
  • Under review

Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2007

The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research, 2007 (the 2007 Code) guides institutions and researchers in responsible research practices and promotes research integrity. It assists institutions in developing their own employee codes of conduct and procedures for the investigation of allegations of research misconduct by providing a comprehensive framework of acceptable academic standards.

  • Policy
  • Rescinded

Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand Including Recommended Dietary Intakes

This document outlines required essential nutrient intake believed adequate to meet the nutritional needs of the majority of healthy people to prevent deficiency. The document can be used by health professionals to assess the likelihood of inadequate intake in individuals or groups.

  • Guideline
  • Current
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10 of the Best 2006

10 of the Best 2006 celebrates success stories from 10 of Australia's leading health and medical research teams, whose work has been funded by NHMRC.

See more 10 of the Best

  • 10 of the Best
  • Corporate archive

Cultural competency in health

Cultural Competency in health: A guide for policy, partnerships and participation is designed to help policy makers and stakeholders develop culturally competent policies throughout the health system.

  • Guideline
  • Current

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.