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.
Search our resources including guidelines, fact sheets, policies, and case studies. See more at Publications.
If you are unable to find what you are looking for, you can search for archived resources on the National Library's Australian Government Web Archive (Trove).
Data dictionary
This data dictionary provides definitions for key terms frequently used by NHMRC to describe our data. It serves as a reference guide to ensure consistency and clarity in understanding terms we use.
2025 Synergy Grants peer reviewer briefing
This video is to provide Synergy Grants peer reviewers assistance in understanding the peer review process.
Outcomes Factsheet - Clinical Trials and Cohort Studies (CTCS) Grants 2024
The objective of the CTCS Grant scheme is to support high-quality clinical trials and cohort studies that address important gaps in knowledge, leading to relevant and implementable findings for the benefit of human health.
Improving vision with corneal transplants
Corneal transplantation is the most common form of transplantation surgery occurring in the world and, globally, it provides improved vision to many thousands of people each year. NHMRC-funded researchers at Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University have made major contributions to improving clinical and eye bank practice both in Australia and internationally, through their establishment of the Australian Corneal Graft Registry (ACGR), the largest registry of its type in the world.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transparency Statement
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is dedicated to the adoption and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This Transparency Statement outlines our approach to AI use within the NHMRC, in accordance with the DTA's policy for responsible AI in government.
Helping premature babies breathe
Each year, almost 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely in Australia.1 Babies born early face numerous health challenges, including needing help to breathe for weeks or months after birth. For babies born very preterm, lung complications can continue well into childhood. Supported by NHMRC grants, collaborating researchers from The Royal Women’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Monash University, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and University of Tasmania implemented numerous programs aimed at improving the care of premature infants, leading to their improved long-term lung health.
Better treatment for glaucoma
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with an estimated 80 million people affected1 including more than 200,000 Australians.2 Over two decades, NHMRC-funded researchers at the Lions Eye Institute (LEI) and the University of Western Australia (UWA) developed a new approach that has revolutionised glaucoma treatment, leading to safer surgery and improved vision outcomes. With later support from an international industry team, this new glaucoma surgery is now in use worldwide.
Establishing kidney transplantation
Up until the mid-20th century there was little that clinicians could do to help a patient with renal (kidney) failure: the condition was fatal. By the late 1960s, however, advancements in medical research had made it possible to replace diseased kidneys with healthy ones through transplantation and to keep patients alive with dialysis until donor kidneys became available. NHMRC-funded clinician researchers played key roles in transforming kidney transplantation from an experimental procedure to a world-leading health care service for Australians with renal disease.
Regulatory Statement of Expectations and Statement of Intent
Statements of Expectations are issued by the responsible Minister to provide greater clarity about government policies and objectives relevant to an agency, including the policies and priorities it is expected to observe in conducting its operations. The Accountable Authority under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, in the case of NHMRC, the CEO, respond to this statement with their Statement of Intent.
NHMRC recently received a Regulatory Statement of Expectations from the Minister for Health and Aged Care highlighting government expectations in relation to how the Office of NHMRC supports and reports on the independent regulatory functions of the Embryo Research Licensing Committee.
Outcomes of Synergy Grants
Outcomes of Synergy Grants funding rounds.
Preterm births and omega-3
Worldwide, preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks) is the single largest cause of death in the newborn period and early childhood.1 In Australia each year, around 8% of babies (almost 26,000 in 2019)2 are born prematurely. A wide variety of health issues are associated with pre-term birth, including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, hearing and visual impairments, learning difficulties and psychiatric disorders. NHMRC-funded researchers at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and other Adelaide-based institutions have made major contributions to reducing the prevalence of premature births and improving the health of premature babies.
Video Recordings and Transcripts – Privacy Collection Notice
As part of performing its functions, NHMRC may record video and audio of meetings it holds and obtain auto-generated transcripts of the meeting.
The personal information collected may include name, email address, phone number, digital images, video and audio recordings of you, text (in chats), information about you, including your participating in the meeting and your opinion on the matters discussed during the meeting.
A foundation for neuroscience
The human central nervous system is extremely complex, consisting of about 86 billion neurons,1 and with each neuron capable of forming thousands of connections with other neurons. It is these connections that make the nervous system capable of processing information, but up until the mid-20th century some key aspects of their functions were unknown. NHMRC-funded researchers made critical breakthroughs in our understanding of how neurons communicate with each other, and in doing so provided a foundation for modern neuroscience and neurotransmitter-based medicine.
How to assess applicants applying at an inappropriate level video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers with assistance on assessing applicants who have applied at an inappropriate level.
How to assess publications for peer review video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers with assistance on reviewing publications.
Providing applicant feedback for peer review video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers assistance in providing feedback to applicants.
Tips and tricks for peer review video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers with some tips and tricks for peer review.
Ideas Grants 2024 peer reviewer webinar questions and answers
Questions and answers from the Ideas Grants 2024 peer reviewer webinar. Recorded 16 July 2024. A PDF version is available to download.
Ideas Grants peer reviewer Q&A webinar transcript
Transcript for the Ideas Grants peer reviewer Q&A webinar. Recorded on Tuesday, 16 July 2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (AEST).
Conflict of interest and suitability declarations video
This video is to assist Investigator Grants peer reviewers.
Welcome to Investigator Grants 2025 - Professor Steve Wesselingh video
Watch Professor Steve Wesselingh's introduction to the 2025 Investigator Grants peer review process. This video resource is to support peer reviewers of Investigator Grants.
Screening to prevent bowel cancer
Colorectal adenocarcinoma, also known as colorectal cancer (CRC) or bowel cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia. With one of the highest rates of CRC in the world, Australia was also the first country in the world to implement and sustain a national population-based organised CRC screening program using faecal immunochemical tests. NHMRC-funded researchers made key contributions to the program’s initial development and ongoing conduct.
A vaccine for chikungunya virus
Chikungunya is a mosquito-transmitted viral disease characterised by sporadic, unpredictable outbreaks. Due to international travel and the spread of potential disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitos, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections have been identified in over 125 countries.1 Over the past 20 years, more than 10 million chikungunya virus infections have been reported, highlighting CHIKV as a significant global health threat. An international consortium involving NHMRC-funded researchers at Griffith University has developed 2 vaccines against CHIKV.
Fact Sheet: Benefit for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health question – Centres of Research Excellence 2025 pilot
As a recommended action under NHMRC’s Road Map 3: A strategic framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research and associated Action Plan 2021–2024 Triennium, a review of the Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC) was undertaken in 2023. This included national consultation with the feedback considered by the Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus (PCIC) and a consultation report released in December 2023.
Bronchitis fact sheet
Bronchitis is a chest infection, usually caused by a virus. The virus makes the lining of the windpipe and bronchi (the tubes leading from the windpipe to the lungs) inflamed and swollen, so it produces more mucus than normal. This causes a cough and sometimes a pain in the throat or upper chest when coughing. Bronchitis is usually mild in children.
Campylobacter infection factsheet
Campylobacter infection is a type of gastroenteritis (or 'gastro') caused by Campylobacter bacteria. Symptoms usually start a few days after infection, and include stomach cramps, diarrhoea (sometimes with blood in it), fever, nausea and vomiting. It may cause dehydration, which can be dangerous for young children.
Chickenpox (varicella) fact sheet
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms start with a fever, headache or tiredness. This is followed by a characteristic spotty, itchy rash of small, fluid-filled blisters, which quickly spreads all over the body. Chickenpox is usually a mild disease in children, but complications occur in around 1% of cases.
Cold sores (herpes simplex) fact sheet
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are very common. About 20% of children will have been infected by the age of 5 years, and about 80% of people will have been infected by the time they are adults. Once a person is infected, the virus can reactivate and cause new cold sores throughout life.
Cold sores usually start with a tingling or burning sensation on or around the lips, followed by the appearance of small, painful blisters. The blisters break, form a scab and then heal, usually without leaving a scar. Cold sores usually last 3 to 7 days. Cold sores can appear on the eye if the person touches an active cold sore and then touches their eye. Although this is rare, any child with a painful red eye should be seen by a doctor.
Common cold fact sheet
Colds are the most common cause of sickness in both children and adults. Symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, sneezing and coughing, watery eyes, headache, sore throat and a possible slight fever.
Children in education and care services can have as many as 8 to 12 colds a year. However, by the time they are 3 years old, children who attend a service have no more colds than those who are cared for only at home.
Conjunctivitis fact sheet
Conjunctivitis is an eye condition where the clear membrane that covers the white part of the eye and lines the inner surface of the eyelids (the conjunctiva) becomes red and swollen. People can also be sensitive to bright lights. The most common causes of infection, allergy and irritation. Only infectious conjunctivitis can spread to others.
Infectious conjunctivitis can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Bacterial conjunctivitis may start in one eye, but almost always involves both eyes. There is likely to be a gritty feeling and thick white, yellow or green pus. Viral conjunctivitis may have a thinner, clear discharge. It may involve one or both eyes, making them red, itchy and watery.
COVID-19 fact sheet
COVID-19 is a disease caused by infection with a coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. Other symptoms include fatigue, loss of taste or smell, and congestion or runny nose. COVID-19 is usually milder in children than in adults.
Croup fact sheet
Croup is a viral infection that causes a harsh, barking cough and noisy breathing because the voicebox (larynx) and airways are inflamed and swollen. It often starts out like a common cold, with symptoms such as fever and runny nose, but then progresses to a cough that sounds like a seal or a barking dog. It usually affects children aged between 6 months and 3 years old, but can occur in other age groups. It is rare in adults because their airways are larger.
Cryptosporidiosis fact sheet
Cryptosporidiosis is a type of gastroenteritis (or 'gastro') caused by a parasite called Cryptosporidium. Symptoms include stomach pain; feeling sick; vomiting; and foul-smelling and watery diarrhoea. Symptoms can last up to 2 weeks. It is more common in the warmer months and is sometimes associated with swimming pools that have been contaminated by a person with the infection.
Cytomegalovirus (CVM) infection fact sheet
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common viral infection, particularly in young children. In Australia, about 50% of young adults have been infected. Once a person is infected, they can carry the virus for the rest of their lives, even if they do not have any symptoms. Sometimes the virus can be reactivated, usually when the person has another sickness or is stressed, and may then cause symptoms.
Healthy children and adults do not usually develop symptoms when they are infected, but some may show symptoms that are similar to glandular fever (for example, tiredness, sore throat, swollen glands and fever).
Diarrhoea or vomiting (gastroenteritis) fact sheet
Gastroenteritis (or 'gastro') is a viral or bacterial infection that causes inflammation of the digestive system. It can cause diarrhoea, vomiting or stomach cramps. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and usually last for a few days. Gastroenteritis can cause dehydration because of the large amount of fluid lost through vomiting or diarrhoea.
Gastroenteritis can have various causes. If there is a specific diagnosis following gastro symptoms, follow the fact sheet for that disease:
- Campylobacter infection
- Cryptosporidiosis
- Giardia infection (giardiasis)
- Rotavirus infection
- Salmonella infection (salmonellosis)
- Shigella infection (shigellosis).
Ear infection fact sheet
Middle ear infections (also called otitis media) are common in young children. An ear infection can cause pain, fever and temporary hearing loss. It can be caused by bacteria or viruses, and often appears after a cold. Occasionally the eardrum may perforate, and you may see fluid coming from the child's ear.
Outer ear infections (otitis externa) occur on the outside of the eardrum, involving the ear canal. They are often associated with swimming.
Rarely, a middle ear infection may spread to the mastoid bone behind the ear, causing mastoiditis. The area behind the ear will be red, and the ear lobe will stick out. A child with these symptoms should see a doctor as soon as possible - this is a serious infection.
Most children will have occasional ear infections that are not serious and resolve quickly. Children who have recurrent ear infections may develop 'glue ear' - when the middle ear is filled with a sticky fluid that looks similar to honey. This may last for many weeks or months and makes it harder for the child to hear.
Eye discharge fact sheet
Eye discharge refers to a sticky or runny fluid coming from the eyes that is not tears. It is normal to wake up with some discharge in the corner of the eye, and this is not a concern.
Sometimes eye discharge is a sign of other conditions, such as conjunctivitis (see conjunctivitis fact sheet) or blocked tear ducts. Blocked tear ducts in babies often improve without treatment by the age of 1 year.
Conjunctivitis can be caused by a virus or bacteria (called infectious conjunctivitis), a reaction to something in the eye, or an allergy. Infectious conjunctivitis can cause:
- watery or white discharge (viral conjunctivitis)
- yellow or green sticky discharge that can make it hard to open the eye (bacterial conjunctivitis).
Fever fact sheet
A fever is when a person's body temperature is over 38.0°C. Normal temperature is between 36.5°C and 38.0°C.
Fever can cause sweating, shivering, muscle aches and a headache. Fever is a common symptom for children, and is usually caused by an infection.
Fever can be concerning for parents. However, it is usually more important to determine what is causing the fever rather than the temperature itself. Most fevers are not a sign of a serious disease.
Fifth disease (slapped cheek syndrome, erythema infectiosum, human parvovirus B19) fact sheet
Fifth disease is a common viral infection that usually causes a mild illness in children.
About 20% of infected children will have no symptoms. In others, symptoms include mild fever and muscle aches, followed 2 to 5 days later by a red rash on the face (hence the name 'slapped cheek syndrome') and a lacy red rash on the trunk and limbs. The rash can sometimes be itchy. It will usually disappear after 7 to 10 days, but can come and go for several weeks, often reappearing in response to heat.
Fifth disease is a type of parvovirus. Animals such as cats and dogs can have other types of parvovirus infections, but they cannot catch human parvovirus from people, and they cannot pass their parvovirus infections to people.
Flu (influenza) fact sheet
Influenza, or the flu, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system. Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and pains, a head cold and a mild sore throat. It can often cause a severe cough. The infected person usually recovers within a week. Children aged under 5 are at higher risk of developing serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.
Fungal infections of the skin or scalp (ringworm, tinea) fact sheet
Tinea is a common fungal infection of the skin that is usually found in moist, warm parts of the body, such as between the toes, but can also infect skin on other parts of the body. The condition looks different depending on where it is. On the head or body, it causes a rash called ringworm. Ringworm is not caused by a worm.
Giardia infection (giardiasis) fact sheet
Giardiasis is a form of gastroenteritis (or 'gastro') caused by a parasite called Giardia lamblia or Giardia duodenalis. This parasite can live in the bowels of people or animals. Untreated water that comes directly from lakes and rivers may also contain Giardia.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, foul-smelling faeces (poo), cramping, gas, fatigue, nausea, and sometimes vomiting and weight loss. Fever and bloody faeces are not usually symptoms of Giardia infections. Many infected people have no symptoms.
In education and care services, children and staff who have had Giardia may no longer have any symptoms but may still be infected with the parasite. This means their faeces can still infect others. A person with active diarrhoea is more likely to spread the disease than one who does not have diarrhoea, but still has the parasite in their faeces.
Glandular fever (Epstein-Barr virus, infectious mononucleosis) fact sheet
Glandular fever is caused by Epstein-Barr virus. Once a person catches Epstein-Barr virus, the virus remains in their body for life, although it usually does not cause further sickness. By adulthood, 90% to 95% of people have Epstein-Barr virus.
Most people will not have any symptoms, including children under 3 years old. Older children and young adults may develop symptoms including fever, tiredness, sore throat and swollen glands. Some people develop stomach pain and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), or a red, itchy rash. Symptoms can last for several weeks, and some people may feel tired for months after the infection.
Hand, foot and mouth disease fact sheet
Hand, foot and mouth disease is a common viral infection caused by a group of viruses known as enteroviruses. It is not related to the disease in cattle with a similar name (foot-and-mouth disease).
Symptoms of hand, foot and mouth disease include tiny blisters on various parts of the body, including in the mouth, and on the fingers, palms of hands, buttocks, nappy area, soles of the feet, upper arms or upper legs. The blisters last a little longer than a week. The worst symptom is often the blisters in the mouth, which make it difficult for the child to eat or drink. In adults, the disease is rare and may cause mild symptoms or no symptoms at all.
Head lice fact sheet
Head lice are tiny insects that live in hair and feed on blood. Young children are more likely to get head live because they tend to have more head-to-head contact with other children, especially during playtime. They can cause itching of the scalp, but they do not cause disease. Lice can affect anyone, and are not a sign of dirty hair or poor hygiene.
Symptoms include itchiness on the scalp, seeing live lice or nits (lice eggs) in the hair, and sores or red bumps on the scalp or neck from scratching.
Hepatitis A fact sheet
Hepatitis A is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis A virus, which is very infectious. Symptoms can include fever, tiredness, stomach pain, loss of appetite and nausea. This is sometimes followed by dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice). Symptoms can last from 1 week to several months. Children under 3 years old rarely have any symptoms. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for people at higher risk of being infected.
Hepatitis B fact sheet
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that affects the liver. About 50% of adults and 90% of children with the infection have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they may include fever, tiredness, stomach pain, nausea, dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
In some cases, hepatitis B can lead to liver damage or liver cancer.
Hepatitis C fact sheet
Hepatitis C is a viral infection that affects the liver. The disease is slow acting and often has no symptoms, so around half of infected people do not know they are infected. If people do experience symptoms, they can include fever, tiredness, stomach pain, nausea, dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
In the long term, hepatitis C can lead to liver damage and liver cancer. There is no vaccine, but treatment is available.
Hepatitis E fact sheet
Hepatitis E is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis E virus. It is rare in Australia. Some infected people, especially children, will have no symptoms. If symptoms do occur, they can include fever, tiredness, stomach pain, loss of appetite and nausea. This is sometimes followed by dark urine and yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice).
Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) fact sheet
Despite its name, the germ that causes this infection is not related to influenza ('the flu'). Until a vaccine was introduced in 1993, Hib was one of the most common cause of life-threatening bacterial infections in Australian children under 5 years old.
Hib can cause swelling in the throat, which interferes with breathing, causing noises when breathing. It may block breathing altogether. It can also cause pneumonia (infection in the lungs) and infect the membranes covering the brain (meningitis), the joints, or the tissue under the skin (usually on the face).
Symptoms of Hib meningitis are very similar to other types of meningitis. These include severe headache, stiff neck, fits, severe sleepiness, difficulty waking up and loss of consciousness.