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
Review of the National Rural Health Commissioner Legislative Framework 25 January 2026	The National Rural Health Commissioner (NRHC) was first established in 2017 as an independent statutory role to drive reforms that improve health outcomes for rural and remote communities. Amendments to the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Act) came into effect from June 2020 to continue the NRHC and define the current functions and operations of the NRHC (Part VA). 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 has launched an inquiry into the funding and resourcing for the CSIRO, including the nature of recent and proposed job and program cuts and the importance of funding for public good science. The final report is due 31 March 2026.
Select Committee on Productivity in Australia 20 February 2026	On 4 November 2025 the Senate established the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia. The committee will report on a range of areas, including the current position and opportunities to gain productivity growth and the impact and opportunity of technology. The committee will present a final report by 30 September 2026.
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Research Missions program 27 February 2026	The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is a $24.8 billion long-term investment supporting Australian health and medical research. The Research Missions program is one of the four MRFF themes. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is conducting an evaluation of the MRFF Research Missions program (Evaluation). The Evaluation will be a key piece of evidence informing the government on the future direction of the program and its funding.

Consultation

Details

Review of the National Rural Health Commissioner Legislative Framework

25 January 2026

The National Rural Health Commissioner (NRHC) was first established in 2017 as an independent statutory role to drive reforms that improve health outcomes for rural and remote communities. Amendments to the Health Insurance Act 1973 (Act) came into effect from June 2020 to continue the NRHC and define the current functions and operations of the NRHC (Part VA).

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 has launched an inquiry into the funding and resourcing for the CSIRO, including the nature of recent and proposed job and program cuts and the importance of funding for public good science.

The final report is due 31 March 2026.

Select Committee on Productivity in Australia

20 February 2026

On 4 November 2025 the Senate established the Select Committee on Productivity in Australia. The committee will report on a range of areas, including the current position and opportunities to gain productivity growth and the impact and opportunity of technology.

The committee will present a final report by 30 September 2026.

Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Research Missions program

27 February 2026

The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) is a $24.8 billion long-term investment supporting Australian health and medical research. The Research Missions program is one of the four MRFF themes.

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is conducting an evaluation of the MRFF Research Missions program (Evaluation). The Evaluation will be a key piece of evidence informing the government on the future direction of the program and its funding.