MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTES ASSOCIATION RESPONDS TO DRAFT NATIONAL RESEARCH STRATEGY National workforce plan welcomed, though concern remains on the indirect costs of research

With
Dr Saraid Billiards,
Chief Executive Officer
Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI)

SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne | October 2025

On 27 August 2025, the Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing announced the release of the draft National Health and Medical Research Strategy (the National Strategy).

The aims of the National Strategy are to build on Australia’s strengths in health and medical research and leverage Australia’s world leading research capability.

The developed strategy aims to attract researchers and investors, strengthen coordination and impact and improve health outcomes in communities.

Involved in the initial consultation phase, was the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI), the peak body for medical research institutes across Australia.  Member institutes work on a broad spectrum of human health issues such as preventive health, chronic disease, mental health, immunology and Indigenous health. Their research ranges from fundamental biomedical discovery through to clinical research and the translation of research findings.

AAMRI CEO Dr Saraid Billiards has been working Health, Ageing and Disability Minister, The Hon Mark Butler MP, his office and subsequently with Ms Rosemary Huxtable AO, who in November 2024 was appointed to develop the National Health and Medical Research Strategy.

Australian Health Journal spoke with Dr Billiards about the advocacy work of AAMRI, the reviews, reports, announcements and Phase 1 consultation period leading to the draft release. Consultation on the draft Strategy is open until 8 October 2025.

Source: Adapted from AAMRI release, NHMRC news story and Department of Health, Disability & Aged Care website.