The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences welcomes the Australian Government’s investments in health and aged care in the 2025-26 Budget, including strengthened Medicare, preventive health, and enhanced digital mental health services.
However, to maximise the health impacts and economic returns of these investments, it is essential that they are accompanied by strategic measures to support health and medical research and its translation into evidence-based healthcare.
“Health policy and systems achieve greater efficiency and effectiveness when they are grounded in evidence and embrace innovation,” said Professor Louise Baur AM, PresAHMS.
The announced investment in preventive health is a positive step forward, but more needs to be done to meet the National Preventive Health Strategy’s target of 5% of total health expenditure by 2030.
“The Federal Government must continue to increase its investment to ensure that prevention funding reaches a target of 5% of total health expenditure by 2030” said Professor Baur.
The Academy notes the absence of sufficient funding in several critical areas essential to Australia’s health system and research ecosystem particularly in health and medical research and its translation.
“Structural investment in research translation by embedding research and innovation as a core function of the health system is crucial to ensuring long-term health resilience and economic growth. Without a cohesive mechanism that aligns researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and consumers, Australia risks missing opportunities to optimise health system efficiency and deliver better health outcomes for all Australians,” said Professor Baur.
The Academy reiterates its call for a National Clinician Researcher Strategy to supercharge this vital part of the workforce. Clinician researchers play a fundamental role in bridging research and clinical practice, ensuring that cutting-edge science is translated effectively into patient care. Australia’s ability to enhance health outcomes and remain competitive in the global research landscape hinges on better supporting clinician researchers through structured career pathways and sustainable funding.
The Academy also emphasises that investing in health and medical research is not just an investment in healthcare, it’s an investment in economic growth. Research consistently shows that every dollar invested in Australian health and medical research delivers an estimated $3.90 return, creating high-value jobs, reducing the burden of disease, and supporting economic resilience.
“Health and medical R&D is a cornerstone of our nation’s prosperity and wellbeing. It drives economic growth, saves lives, and strengthens our national resilience. To secure the future of this critical sector, we need stronger commitments from the Federal Government to adequately support the entire research ecosystem,” Professor Baur added.
The Academy will continue to work with policymakers and stakeholders to ensure the health and medical research sector receives the investment and structural support it needs to deliver the best possible outcomes for all Australians.
Media: Khaled Chakli: [email protected] (0423 099 568)