Category: Submissions

Research Australia’s submission to the Independent Review of the NRFC Act emphasises the importance of the NRFC’s role in enhancing Australia’s sovereign capability, productivity, and economic resilience. It also advocates for greater coordination across the research, innovation and commercialisation ecosystem.

Research Australia argues that the NRFC should address market failure by providing patient capital to bridge the “valley of death” between research and commercialisation and crowd in private investment. It calls for stronger alignment between the NRFC, MRFF, NHMRC and broader national research and industry strategies, alongside improved coordination across government portfolios.

The submission advocates flexible financing and co-investment models that combine government, industry and philanthropic capital, particularly for health and medical innovation. It also calls for clearer measures of impact beyond financial returns, including health, productivity and sovereign capability, and stronger institutional support for translating Australian research into commercially viable products and services.

You can read our full submission here.

Research Australia’s response to the August 2026 consultation on the MRFF Australian Medical Research and Innovation Strategy and Priorities broadly supported the proposed direction while calling for stronger national coordination, equity, translation and long-term capability building.

Research Australia emphasised that research excellence must translate into measurable health, social and economic impact, supported by sustainable workforce capability, interoperable health data, research infrastructure and implementation pathways. The response called for stronger support across the full innovation pipeline, from discovery through clinical development, commercialisation, manufacturing and adoption, to strengthen sovereign capability and productivity.

Our response also advocated health equity by design, including greater focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, regional, rural and very remote communities, children and other underrepresented populations. Additionally, Research Australia called for responsible implementation of AI and digital health, sustainable research careers, community partnership, prevention and early intervention, and explicit recognition of Australia’s international health obligations across MRFF investment.

You can read our full submission here.

Research Australia welcomes the Universities Accord (Opening the Doors of Opportunity) Bill 2026 as an important step towards improving access to higher education and supporting greater participation by students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds.

Our submission supports the Bill’s equity objectives while emphasising that education and research are intrinsically linked and should be considered together in implementing the Universities Accord. Research Australia recommends that reforms strengthen pathways into research careers, particularly in health and medical research, and ensure that the new Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) considers research capability alongside teaching and workforce planning.

The submission also highlights the need for sustainable research funding, noting that universities play a critical role in driving innovation, improving health outcomes and supporting national productivity. Finally, Research Australia calls for implementation of the broader Accord recommendations that reinforce Australia’s research and innovation system, ensuring that expanded access to higher education also builds the skilled research workforce needed to meet future economic, health and societal challenges.

Read Research Australia’s full submission here.

Research Australia is pleased to submit its comprehensive response to the “Capital Gains Tax Reforms – Arrangements for Innovative Start-Ups” consultation paper.

Recognising the critical role that start-ups play in fostering innovation, economic growth, and job creation, Research Australia has carefully analysed the proposed reforms and their potential impact on early-stage companies. Our submission highlights key considerations, including the need for supportive tax mechanisms that encourage investment in innovative ventures while ensuring fiscal responsibility. We emphasise the importance of a balanced approach that attracts investment for start-ups, reduces administrative burdens, and promotes sustainable growth.

We encourage members and stakeholders to review our detailed response in full, which provides valuable insights and recommendations aimed at fostering a more conducive environment for start-up success. Research Australia remains committed to supporting policies that drive innovation and economic development.

You can read our full submission here.

Research Australia recently provided a submission to IP Australia’s consultation on streamlining and simplifying IP regulation.

As the national peak body for the health and medical research and innovation sector, Research Australia has consistently highlighted the need for clearer and more streamlined IP policy and supports to strengthen Australia’s commercialisation pipeline and sovereign capability development. This has been reflected in our recent policy submissions to the Strategic Examination of R&D (SERD) and draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy – where we advocated for measures to help researchers and businesses navigate and protect IP rights. These recommendations formed part of a broader range of measures to overcome the current ‘valley of death’ between discovery and real-world translation, commercialisation and innovation.

You can read our full submission here.

Research Australia is calling on the Commonwealth Government to use the upcoming Federal Budget to drive the health and investment our country deserves. It’s time for the budget to commit to the critical strategic investments needed for the future health and wealth of our nation.

In 2025 we developed the National Health and Medical Research Strategy and undertook the Strategic Examination of R&D. In 2026, the Commonwealth Government must act boldly and decisively to reimagine the role of public investment in health and medical research and innovation as a catalyst to deliver long-term and equitable social, economic and productivity dividends. We should not waste any more time!

The first priority is to release all available MRFF funds that are sitting idle while Australia’s health and medical research and innovation sector face growing pressures. This is not new spending; this is about ensuring long-term sustainability and smarter investment across our sector.

You can read Research Australia’s 2026-27 Pre-Budget Submission, which outlines further policy proposals, here.