Provide independent, authoritative advice that improves health outcomes, strengthens health systems, and builds public trust by convening the nation’s foremost health and medical experts alongside policymakers and other key stakeholders to connect the best available evidence with policy and practice.
ABOUT
About AAHMS
The Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences is Australia’s authority on, and trusted voice of, health and medical science.
Our Fellows are the very best of Australia’s health and medical researchers and clinician scientists.
The Academy’s
Fellows
The Academy’s 551 Fellows are elected by their peers for their extraordinary contributions to health and medicine. Their collective experience reaches every corner of health and medical science. Their discoveries have laid the foundations for contemporary healthcare and their continuing innovation is transforming future health outcomes.
Our Fellows are at the forefront of translating ground-breaking research into real world outcomes that advance healthcare, inform policy, and save lives.
The Academy’s unique composition and reach brings together an unparalleled network of Australia’s leading health and medical experts across industry, academia and decision-making bodies to advance the health of our nation.
We are a not-for-profit organisation. Find out more about how you can support us.
AAHMS
We work to address the most important health challenges
Established in 2014, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences is uniquely positioned to address the most pressing, urgent and important health challenges facing society.
The Academy provides objective, evidence-informed, and independent advice to address urgent and important health issues facing Australian communities. We cultivate an environment that supports, nurtures and celebrates the next generation of health and medical science leaders, improves diversity, and advances health equity.
Find out more about our strategy and vision in our 2023-2025 Strategic Plan, or view our policy priorities on our policy page.
AAHMS
The drive behind what we do
Our Purpose
To improve health outcomes by providing independent, evidence-based leadership that bridges science to policy, practice, and public understanding.
Our Vision
A healthier Australia in a healthier world – driven by science, guided by evidence, and grounded in public trust.
Our Values
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- Excellence
- Integrity
- Trust
- Relevance
- Equity
AAHMS
Our Strategic Pillars
Translating evidence into policy and practice
Building national capability
Build Australia’s health and medical science capability by nurturing talent, developing future leaders, strengthening career pathways and championing a health system with research at its core – to ensure that Australia is equipped to tackle current and future health challenges.
Championing health in our region
Use the Academy’s national and international standing and networks to contribute to global health diplomacy and collaboration – supporting stronger health systems, greater research capacity, and the exchange of knowledge and expertise, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific.
Recognising and harnessing excellence
Recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in health and medical science through Fellowship and Awards, and harness that collective expertise to advance Australia’s health priorities – ensuring our recognition reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
CROSS-CUTTING COMMITMENTS
Four cross-cutting commitments cut across everything we do
Expert, impartial policy advice
We develop independent, evidence-based advice that is objective, non-partisan and grounded in expertise. Our focus is on what works for Australia’s health and health system – and this shapes who we bring together, how we develop future leaders and the advice we provide.
First Nations health and wellbeing
We aim to embed First Nations partnership and leadership across our work. This spans the expertise we convene, the researchers we support, and the evidence and advice we provide – working in partnership with First Nations communities in Australia and Indigenous communities across our region.
Academia-health-industry interface
We are committed to strengthening the academia-health-industry interface. We connect diverse expertise and champion careers and collaboration across sectors – to promote the translation and impact that come from working across boundaries.
Diversity, equity and inclusion
Our work should reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. This means addressing issues that respond to the health needs of all communities, and ensuring diversity in the people we recognise, the expertise we draw on, the leaders we develop, and the perspectives that shape our advice and engagement.
Strategic Plan
Read more about our purpose, vision and strategic pillars in our 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.
AAHMS
Discover more about the Academy
The Academy is a member of the Australia Council of Learned Academies (ACOLA) and the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP).
We were established in 2014 and we are formally recognised by the Australian Government as a Learned Academy under the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
We are governed by an Executive (our Board) and Council. Our patron is Professor Emeritus Sir Gustav (Gus) Nossal AC FRS FAA FAHMS.
Programs
Meet the team
The Academy is led by a dedicated team of Fellows and staff who work together to advance health and medical research across Australia.
AAHMS Executive
Our Executive, an elected group of seven Fellows, is the Academy’s primary decision-making body.
AAHMS Council
Our Council provides advice to the Executive and is an elected group of 20 Fellows, including five State Branch Chairs.
AAHMS Staff
Our staff work closely with Fellows to coordinate and deliver the Academy’s work.
Support us
To contribute to our healthcare policy projects, involvement and endeavours, please consider making a donation.