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 Greg Mullins, Head of Policy, Research Australia via email greg.mullins@researchaustralia.org.
Please click the heading in the left hand column to access consultation information from the relevant website.
Consultation |
Details |
Adoption of international scientific guidelines by the TGADue 29 July |
The TGA closely aligns its regulatory approaches to therapeutic products with those of comparable international regulatory counterparts wherever possible.
International scientific guidelines are not limited to prescription medicines, but may also apply to over-the-counter (OTC), complementary and some listed medicines. The TGA is seeking feedback via an on online survey on whether certain international scientific guidelines should be adopted. |
National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human research- risk assessment
Due 1 August |
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is proposing to include a revised Chapter 2.1 in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, 2007 (updated 2018).
The revised chapter provides advice for both researchers and Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) addressing ethical considerations related to risk and benefit and will support use of the guidance in Section 5 of the National Statement. It includes guidance about the need for HRECs to consider not just research participants and those involved in the research but also ‘others who experience the impact of the research’, potentially complicating an HREC’s task. Comments can be made up to 1 August. The NHMRC anticipates that a revised Chapter 2.1 and a revised Section 5 will be released toward the end of 2022 or early in 2023. |
ANZ Food Regulatory System
Due 7 August |
The Australia New Zealand Food Regulatory System (the System) is currently undergoing its most significant reform and modernisation effort since its inception in the 2000s.
The development of a ‘Horizon Scan’ is the first step in this new planning process and takes a broad view of the wide food system challenges and opportunities, including impacts on human health. Input is sought on the consultation paper. |
Options to address gender disparity in the NHMRC Investigator Scheme
Due 16 August |
In February, the NHMRC published a paper detailing the ongoing gender disparity in the NHMRC Investigator Scheme.
The NHMRC is now conducting a series of in-person and on-line consultations until 16 August on options to address gender disparity in the Scheme. A discussion paper has been published modelling four different options, and an electronic survey is available to provide responses to the proposals. |