AusBiotech welcomes the Albanese Government's announcement of a $13.6 million investment to progress national health and medical research reforms and further strengthen Australia's clinical trials ecosystem.
The funding, announced by the Hon Mark Butler MP, Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, will support the design of the National One Stop Shop (NOSS) for clinical trials, the development of national standard operating procedures, implementation of the National Clinical Trials Governance Framework, and an accreditation scheme for human research ethics committees.
AusBiotech, working alongside peers in the Research and Development Taskforce (RDTF) — a collaboration between AusBiotech, Medicines Australia and the Medical Technology Association of Australia— has long advocated for clinical trials reform and national coordination, and funding to back that up.
In parallel, AusBiotech's Clinical Trials Advisory Group has worked closely with the Department of Health and Ageing to highlight the sector's priorities, and AusBiotech looks forward to ensuring the NOSS delivers for Australia's diverse and world-leading clinical trials sector.
Today's announcement marks a significant milestone after years of sustained advocacy and collaboration.
Australia has continued to demonstrate global leadership as a destination for clinical trials, built on world-class infrastructure, research expertise, and a collaborative ecosystem. This investment represents an important step in maintaining and strengthening that position.
While this is a positive step for the sector and Australian patients, AusBiotech continues to call for national coordination across the entire health innovation pipeline.
AusBiotech CEO, Rebekah Cassidy, said the organisation applauds the Albanese Government's investment in this once in a generation reform, but it must be underpinned by a broader strategic approach to life sciences.
"We also have a once in a generation opportunity to prioritise the entire pipeline.
"That's why we continue to advocate for a unified, whole-of-government strategic approach to the life sciences industry, whose numerous policy touchpoints — from research through to manufacturing — are currently dispersed across over nine different Australian Government portfolios.
"If we only make incremental changes in isolated parts of the pipeline, we will fall short of the reform that is urgently need.
"With more than 1,600 biotech and medtech companies in Australia, we must ensure they can thrive. Global competition for our homegrown capabilities is intensifying.
"We need to back innovation right here where it begins so our economy, health security, and most importantly our people, have access to Australian health innovation," Rebekah said.
Throughout 2025, AusBiotech has campaigned for a policy agenda focused on four key asks of the Federal Government:
- Developing Australia's first whole-of-government National Life Sciences Strategy to set clear policy priorities and eliminate gaps and overlaps.
- Establishing an Australian Life Sciences Council, and a partnership between industry and government to drive this Strategy, address sector challenges and ensure value for investment.
- Investing in data collection to drive innovation and improve policy and decision-making.
- Recognising life sciences as a priority under the government's industry policy frameworks.
AusBiotech looks forward to working with government, industry, and the research community to ensure reforms like the NOSS are implemented effectively, while also advancing a broader strategic framework that secures Australia's position as a global leader in clinical research and life sciences innovation.
