Australia unveils 10-year strategy to strengthen health and medical research

Australia’s health and medical research sector has been given a new long-term roadmap, with the Federal Government releasing the National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026–2036 alongside a significant funding commitment for medical research.

The strategy is Australia’s first national framework for health and medical research, providing a coordinated vision for strengthening the sector over the next decade. According to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, the strategy is intended to guide future investment, improve collaboration across the research ecosystem and ensure research delivers greater benefits for patients, communities and the healthcare system.

The release of the strategy follows extensive consultation across government, academia, healthcare, industry and the broader research community, and is designed to provide greater certainty about the future direction of Australia’s health and medical research landscape.

Backed by record investment

The launch of the strategy coincides with a major increase in government investment through the Medical Research Future Fund.

As announced in the 2026–27 Federal Budget, the Government will invest an additional $508.5 million in the MRFF over the next four years. Annual MRFF grant funding is expected to grow to $1 billion by 2030–31, providing a significant boost to Australia’s research capability.

The investment is intended to support researchers, strengthen the health and medical research workforce and accelerate the development of new treatments, technologies and models of care.

For a sector that has long called for greater certainty around research funding, the additional investment signals a stronger long-term commitment to Australia’s research ecosystem.

Key priorities

The National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026–2036 identifies several priorities aimed at strengthening Australia’s research system and improving the impact of research across the healthcare sector.

These include:

• Supporting a sustainable and skilled health and medical research workforce
• Strengthening collaboration between researchers, healthcare providers, industry and government
• Accelerating the translation of research into clinical practice and health system improvement
• Improving Australia’s global competitiveness in health and medical research
• Increasing the impact of research on patient outcomes, population health and economic growth

A central theme of the strategy is ensuring that research does not remain confined to laboratories, academic journals or pilot programs, but is translated into real-world improvements in healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Why it matters

Australia’s health and medical research sector plays a critical role in improving health outcomes, supporting economic growth and responding to emerging health challenges.

However, the pathway from research discovery to clinical implementation can often be slow and fragmented. The strategy seeks to address these challenges by creating a more connected and coordinated research ecosystem.

For hospitals, health services, universities, research institutes and healthcare innovators, the strategy provides a clearer indication of where future government attention, investment and policy development are likely to be directed.

It also reinforces the growing expectation that research investment should generate measurable benefits for patients, communities and the broader healthcare system.

Looking ahead

The combination of a national strategy and increased funding marks a significant milestone for Australia’s health and medical research sector.

While the success of the strategy will ultimately depend on implementation, collaboration and sustained investment, it provides a shared framework for researchers, clinicians, policymakers and industry leaders to work towards common goals over the next decade.

As healthcare systems continue to face growing demand, workforce pressures and increasing complexity, the Government is positioning health and medical research as a key driver of future health outcomes, innovation and economic growth.

Further information

Read the full National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026–2036. 

The Government has also published details of the additional Medical Research Future Fund investment announced in the 2026–27 Federal Budget.