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Search our publications on this page including annual reports and corporate plans, guidelines, reports, statements and 10 of the Best.
For case studies, fact sheets, guidance, policies, and video see our Resources.
If you are unable to find what you are looking for, you can search for archived publications on the National Library's Australian Government Web Archive (Trove).
Annual Report 2022–23
This report contains information on NHMRC administration and performance, and a record of our activities for the reporting period 2022–23.
A web version of this document is available on the Transparency Portal.
NHMRC Corporate Plan 2023–24
The NHMRC Corporate Plan 2023–24 presents our strategy for building a healthy Australia, across the strategic themes (purposes) of investment, translation and integrity of health and medical research. The plan also includes our strategic and health priorities, as well as our key activities planned for 2023–24 and over the next four years. The plan describes the operating context in which we work and outlines our performance criteria and targets for the next 4 years.
The key elements of our Corporate Plan 2023–24 are summarised in the Plan on a Page.
Prioritisation Process Report
For the review of the evidence underpinning the Australian Dietary Guidelines.
Published in June 2023.
Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC) Review - Discussion Paper
NHRMC opened a national consultation in 2023 to review the Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC). This discussion paper was produced to inform the review. It provides information on the IREC and lists the consultation questions.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 September 2022 to 28 February 2023
The 41st biannual report.
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023) consists of a series of guidelines made in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.
NHMRC grants with international collaborators 2012 to 2021
The purpose of this report is to provide a descriptive analysis of the scope and reach of the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) international collaborations across all grant schemes over the past 10 years.
International Engagement Strategy 2023–2026 – strategic opportunities
Developed through consultation with other Australian Government agencies, our Strategic Opportunities report outlines more specific and targeted initiatives that National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) could undertake to achieve the actions and goals set out in the International Engagement Strategy 2023–2026.
10 of the Best – Thirteenth edition
10 of the Best: Thirteenth edition showcases 10 outstanding Australian health and medical research projects supported by NHMRC. The projects were selected for scientific merit from the final reports of more than 900 completed grants.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament – 1 March to 31 August 2022
The 40th biannual report
Annual Report 2021–22
This report contains information on NHMRC administration and performance, and a record of our activities for the reporting period 2021–22.
A web version of this document is available on the Transparency Portal.
Consultation report: Options to reach gender equity in the Investigator Grant scheme
This consultation report provides the outcomes of NHMRC’s national consultation on options to reach gender equity in the Investigator Grant scheme.
NHMRC Corporate Plan 2022–23
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Corporate Plan 2022–23 presents our national strategy for health and medical research aligned with our three strategic purposes of investment, translation and integrity. The plan also includes our strategic priorities and health priorities and outlines our key activities planned for 2022–23 and over the next four years. In addition, the plan describes the operating context in which we work and our performance criteria and targets for the next four years
Reconciliation Action Plan 2022–24
Our commitment to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples covers all aspects of NHMRC’s responsibilities, as well as contributing to the Australian Government’s National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2021–2031.
NHMRC renewed our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia about turning good intentions into real actions and rising to the challenge of reconciling Australia. A RAP is a business plan that uses a holistic approach to create meaningful relationships, enhance respect and promote sustainable opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
See our current, NHMRC Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan May 2026 – May 2028.
Discussion paper: Options to reach gender equity in the Investigator Grant scheme
The Discussion Paper: Options to reach gender equity in the Investigator Grant scheme presents 4 options to offset the systemic disadvantage faced by women in health and medical research, as reflected in the attrition of female applicants with seniority in the Investigator Grant scheme.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament – 1 September 2021 to 28 February 2022
The 39th biannual report
2022 NHMRC CEO Statement on Electronic Cigarettes
The safety and health effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are contested. Public health officials have expressed concern at the growing uptake of e-cigarettes, particularly amongst young people. NHMRC has reviewed the current evidence to provide public health advice on the safety and impacts of e-cigarettes.
Gain-of-Function Research Review: Report
At the request of the then Minister for Health and Aged Care, the National Health and Medical Research Council has undertaken a review of gain-of-function research in Australia.
The Executive Summary from the review report, and a copy of the full report, is available below.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 March to 31 August 2021
The 38th biannual report
Investigating clinician researcher career pathways
This report was initiated by NHMRC’s Health Translation Advisory Committee. It contains the results of three connected research projects conducted between 2018 and 2019 which NHMRC commissioned to better understand the career pathways of clinician researchers.
Report on qualitative research about career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clinician researchers
Clinician researchers are health professionals engaged in both patient care and research.
As such, they are uniquely placed to provide insights into their clinical practice and research, implementing evidence-based, best practice for their patients, and addressing clinically relevant problems through research.
The Health Translation Advisory Committee (HTAC) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) have previously explored concerns related to clinician researcher career pathways through a research project undertaken by ORIMA Research in 20191; however only 1% of research respondents identified as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. As such, the NHMRC’s Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus (PCIC) and HTAC identified the need to undertake a project specifically with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clinician researchers, to better understand their specific career experiences, enablers and barriers, as well as supports required to attract and retain this audience as clinician researchers.
Survey of clinician researchers: Survey findings Report
Clinicians who combine clinical practice with research are an increasingly important,
but poorly understood, strategic resource for the translation of research into practice. There is limited information available about the career pathways of clinician researchers, and the reasons why some clinicians leave or choose not to enter research.
Telephone Interviews Summary Report
The Investigating Clinician Researcher Career Pathways Project (the project) was initiated as a priority project by National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Health Translation Advisory Committee (HTAC) during its 2015–2018 triennium. HTAC is a principal committee of NHMRC and provides advice to the CEO and Council of NHMRC on opportunities to improve health outcomes in areas including clinical care, public, population and environmental health and prevention of illness through effective translation of research into health care and clinical practice. The results of the project will assist HTAC in making recommendations to the CEO on the training and career pathways for clinician researchers.
Annual Report 2020–21
This report contains information on NHMRC administration and performance, and a record of our activities for the reporting period 2020–21.
A web version of this document is available on the Transparency Portal.
NHMRC Corporate Plan 2021–22
The NHMRC Corporate Plan 2021–22 presents our national strategy for health and medical research aligned with our three strategic purposes of investment, translation and integrity. The plan includes updated strategic priorities and health priorities and outlines our planned key activities in 2021–22 and over the next four years. The plan also describes the operating context in which we work and our performance criteria and targets for the next four years.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 September 2020 to 28 February 2021
The 37th biannual report
10 of the Best – Twelfth edition
10 of the Best: Twelfth edition showcases 10 outstanding Australian health and medical research projects supported by NHMRC.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020
The 36th biannual report
Australian guidelines to reduce health risks from drinking alcohol
This page provides access to the full guidelines and the underlying evidence base.
A plain English summary and resources to help you apply the guidelines in daily life are available on alcohol health advice.
The guidelines provide health professionals, policy makers and the Australian community with evidence-based advice on the health effects of drinking alcohol. The guidelines aim to help individuals make informed decisions about drinking alcohol. The guidelines are also intended to form the evidence base for policy making and educational materials.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 September 2019 to 29 February 2020
The 35th biannual report
Measuring up 2018
Measuring up 2018 is a five-year bibliometric analysis of the scientific publication output of Australian health and medical research, focusing on research funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Report: NHMRC's Research Quality Workshop
This Report from NHMRC’s Research Quality Workshop on 30 July 2019 outlines key messages, activities and initiatives within the research sector, and potential opportunities for collaboration to ensure the conduct of high quality research. Outcomes from the workshop will inform NHMRC’s ongoing activities to ensure the highest quality in NHMRC-funded research.
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.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 March to 31 August 2019
The 34th 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.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament – 1 September 2018 to 28 February 2019
The 33rd biannual report
Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019)
The guidelines are produced by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) in collaboration with the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Healthcare, and are published on the MAGICapp platform.
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.
Embryo Research Licensing Committee Report to Parliament - 1 March 2018 to 31 August 2018
The 32nd biannual report.
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).
Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities
Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders provides a set of principles to ensure research is safe, respectful, responsible, high quality and of benefit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
Keeping research on track II
Keeping research on track II was developed to provide advice on how the values and principles outlined in Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders can be put into practice in research.
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 - Report of Community Consultations
Road Map 3: A strategic framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research. Report of Community Consultations.
Linked to:
Road Map 3 – A strategic framework
Road Map 3: A strategic framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research.
Linked to: