Current Consultations

Research Australia regularly contributes to the policy discussions on issues pertinent to Health and Medical Research. This can be through submissions or participating in consultations.

The following lists both consultations and invitations to make submissions which are relevant to health and medical research and/or health and innovation policy in Australia. Research Australia updates this regularly but we may not participate in every one listed.

If you would like more information or you are aware of other consultations that should be included, please contact the Policy and Advocacy Team via email
policy@researchaustralia.org.

Please click the heading in the left-hand column to access consultation information from the relevant website.

Consultation	Details
2026 NRI Roadmap Issues Paper Consultation 8 December 2025	Development of the 2026 NRI Roadmap began in early 2025 when the Department of Education and the ministerially appointed NRI Advisory Group conducted an initial public consultation survey. The Issues Paper has been informed by ongoing analysis of survey responses and other consultations. Following feedback, an Exposure Draft Roadmap will be released for public consultation.
Inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia 5 January 2025	The Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, has tasked the Joint Standing Committee on Migration with examining matters relating to Australia’s skilled migration program. The committee adopted the inquiry on 29 October 2025.
Review of the National Rural Health Commissioner Legislative Framework 25 January 2026	The National Rural Health Commissioner (NRHC), established in 2017, leads reforms aimed at improving rural and remote health outcomes. In October 2025, an independent review commenced to examine the legislative framework that governs the NRHC.
2026–27 Pre-Budget Submissions 30 January 2026	The Pre-Budget Submissions process invites stakeholders to present ideas, priorities, policy proposals and funding requests to inform the 2026–27 Federal Budget.
Funding and Resourcing for the CSIRO 30 January 2026	The Senate Economics References Committee is examining the adequacy of funding and resourcing for CSIRO, including recent proposed job and program cuts, impacts on sovereign capability, workforce and research infrastructure. The final report is due 31 March 2026.
Select Committee on Productivity in Australia Date TBC	On 4 November 2025 the Senate established the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia. The committee will present a final report by 30 September 2026.

Consultation

Details

2026 NRI Roadmap Issues Paper Consultation

8 December 2025

Development of the 2026 NRI Roadmap began in early 2025 when the Department of Education and the ministerially appointed NRI Advisory Group conducted an initial public consultation survey. The Issues Paper has been informed by ongoing analysis of survey responses and other consultations. Following feedback, an Exposure Draft Roadmap will be released for public consultation.

Inquiry into the value of skilled migration to Australia

5 January 2025

The Assistant Minister for Immigration and Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon Matt Thistlethwaite MP, has tasked the Joint Standing Committee on Migration with examining matters relating to Australia’s skilled migration program. The committee adopted the inquiry on 29 October 2025.

Review of the National Rural Health Commissioner Legislative Framework

25 January 2026

The National Rural Health Commissioner (NRHC), established in 2017, leads reforms aimed at improving rural and remote health outcomes. In October 2025, an independent review commenced to examine the legislative framework that governs the NRHC.

2026–27 Pre-Budget Submissions

30 January 2026

The Pre-Budget Submissions process invites stakeholders to present ideas, priorities, policy proposals and funding requests to inform the 2026–27 Federal Budget.

Funding and Resourcing for the CSIRO

30 January 2026

The Senate Economics References Committee is examining the adequacy of funding and resourcing for CSIRO, including recent proposed job and program cuts, impacts on sovereign capability, workforce and research infrastructure. The final report is due 31 March 2026.

Select Committee on Productivity in Australia

Date TBC

On 4 November 2025 the Senate established the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia. The committee will present a final report by 30 September 2026.