Latest news
$30 million to improve children’s mental health and wellbeing
Apply for funding under the 2023 Childhood Mental Health Research grant opportunity. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Stronger together – Allied Health Professions Day 2023
14 October 2023 is International Allied Health Professions Day. We celebrate the commitment and contribution of allied health professionals who work tirelessly to improve the health and wellbeing of Australians.
ATAGI update additional 2023 COVID-19 vaccination dose
The Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) recently updated their advice for the COVID-19 booster dose.
Healthcare Identifiers Framework Project Consultation
We have published the outcomes of the Healthcare Identifiers Framework Project Consultation.
National Immunisation Program – changes to shingles vaccination from 1 November 2023
From 1 November 2023, the shingles vaccination schedule under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) will change.
Does using telehealth affect our healthcare?
Telehealth was an emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing patients to consult with GPs by telephone or video under lockdown. Post-pandemic, telehealth is here to stay. Professors Rosemary Korda and Christine Phillips are finding out how using telehealth affects primary healthcare.
Are you prepared to manage older peoples’ health during heatwaves?
Now is the time for aged care providers to prepare for managing the health of older people during heatwaves. Severe heatwaves are likely to be a part of this high-risk weather season. Heatwaves affect the health of older people more than other groups. Our new guidance can help.
Members of the Asia Pacific Aged Care Hub visit Australia
Learn about the recent visit from Asia Pacific Aged Care Hub (APACH) members and find out how we’re building workforce capability and promoting the use of technology in aged care.
Equip Aged Care Learning Packages
The full range of Equip Aged Care Learning Packages is now available for carers, nurses, personal care workers and allied health professionals.
Aged care nursing and allied health scholarships
Scholarships for nurses, personal care workers and allied health professionals working in aged care.
Aged Care Knowledge Hub
A new online knowledge hub is available to support nurses in developing and furthering their career in aged care.
Thank you to our Medical Research Future Fund Grant Assessment Committee members
The success of Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant funding relies on informed and committed community members stepping forward to assess grant applications.
Medicines just got cheaper
Selected Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines can now be prescribed for a 60-days for the price of a single prescription. This means many Australians who have a stable, ongoing health condition can now save money on their regular medication.
Updated Dementia in Australia report and National Dementia Data Improvement Plan 2023-2033 released
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released an updated Dementia in Australia report and National Dementia Data Improvement Plan. This work monitors outcomes for people living with dementia and their carers in Australia.
Express your interest in guiding the future of the Genomics Health Futures Mission
The Genomics Health Futures Mission is an initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). We invite you to express your interest in becoming a member of the next expert advisory panel (EAP) that will advise on its priorities.
Act now for a dementia-friendly future this Dementia Action Week
Find out how you can get involved this Dementia Action Week and learn more about our dementia initiatives.
A smart gas-sensing capsule invented in Australia could soon help people living with bowel syndromes
Doctors could soon use the smart Atmo Gas Capsule to diagnose and treat bowel syndromes, replacing invasive or hard to interpret methods. The Australian company Atmo Biosciences is developing and marketing this new device.
$34 million for research into post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (long COVID) and sleep apnoea
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant opportunities to the value of $34 million are now available.
Unleashing the potential of our health workforce
The Unleashing the Potential of our Health Workforce Review is seeking submissions to better understand how health professionals work across primary care.
Future changes to the Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS)
The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme (PHMSS) helps entry-level First Nations health students complete their studies and join the health workforce.
Make the moment you start trying the moment to stop drinking
This Saturday, 9 September 2023, is international Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day. Every year at 9:09am on the 9th day of the 9th month, we pause to recognise how important it is being alcohol free for the 9 months of a pregnancy.
Join us for a webinar on the Medical Research Future Fund PASC research plan and what it means for you
We are co-hosting a webinar with the Consumers Health Forum of Australia to discuss the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) PASC research plan. PASC, or Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19, is also known as long COVID.
New mental health resources available for health professionals
Health professionals can now access new and updated mental health resources, microlearning and online learning pathways through the Mental Health Professional Online Development (MHPOD) Program.
$1.65 million penalty for prohibited pathology lease arrangements
A pathology provider in New South Wales was ordered to pay the Commonwealth a pecuniary penalty of $1.65 million, along with legal costs of $200,000, for entering into four leasing arrangements that contravened the Health Insurance Act 1973 (the Act).
ATAGI Update on the COVID-19 Vaccination Program
Recommendations from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) regarding an additional COVID-19 dose for highest risk people in 2023. These recommendations are in addition to the previous ATAGI COVID-19 vaccine booster advice published in February 2023.
Women’s World Cup inspires the nation
The Women’s World Cup 2023 may be over, but it’s the dawn of a new era for women’s sport.
Scam alert
We have been notified of a new phone scam that is targeting members of the Australian public. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be us, do not provide your personal details.
Corporate Plan 2023–24
Our Corporate Plan for 2023–24 is now available. Read about how we will deliver the health system for all Australians throughout 2023–24.
Improving children’s mental health and wellbeing
A new Childhood Mental Health Research Plan will shape $50 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund. An independent Expert Advisory Panel formed the plan. Members tell us how it will help improve children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Improving health outcomes for people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease
A new Targeted Translation Research Accelerator Research Plan will shape $77.5 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund. An independent Expert Advisory Panel formed the plan. Members tell us how it will improve care and outcomes for people with diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Supporting all Australians to be healthy through affordable, person-centred primary healthcare
A new Primary Health Research Plan will shape $50 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund. An independent Expert Advisory Panel formed the plan. Members tell us how it will support all Australians to be healthy by transforming primary healthcare.
Kids learn to ride with confidence in new cycling program
A new national program will help give kids the confidence and skills to be life-long riders.
AHPPC statement – Advice to support safe cruising
The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) agreed at its meeting on 16 August 2023 to rescind the current Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for Cruising in Australia (the CDNA Guidelines). The CDNA Guidelines will be rescinded as of 25 August 2023.
Val's story – Ageing against adversity
2022 Senior Australian of the Year Val Dempsey shares her story of overcoming ageism and how she continues to achieve her dreams.
Theresa's story – Celebrating culture, connection and community
2023 WA Senior Australian of the Year Theresa Kwok shares her story of migrating to Australia and how she is now giving back to others through culture and community.
Peter's story – Conquering life’s greatest challenges
2020 QLD Senior Australian of the Year Peter Dornan shares his story of resilience and how he overcame a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Heather’s story – Living life to the fullest, one step at a time
2019 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Heather Lee OAM shares her story of finding her passion and making history as the world’s only 96-year-old race walker.
APSC releases capability review report for the department
The Australian Public Service Commission has released its capability review report for the Department of Health and Aged Care. Read more about the process and the outcome of the review.
Insights into the Medical Research Future Fund
Three new reports provide insights into the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and areas for improvement.
Empowering the next generation of female athletes through sport
Leading political and sport figures have gathered in Brisbane to discuss the role sport plays in advancing gender equality.
Updated cervical screening education course
Healthcare providers – build knowledge and skills to offer your patients the self-collection option for cervical screening HPV testing.
$8 million for research to improve mental health and prevent suicide
The Australian Government has announced $8 million for 10 mental health and suicide prevention research projects under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Join our next Medical Research Future Fund webinar for research administration officers
Our next Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Research Administration Officers (RAO) webinar is at 2:00pm (AEST) on 28 August 2023.
End gender bias in Australia’s healthcare system
The National Women’s Health Advisory Council has launched the #EndGenderBias survey to better understand the barriers and bias women and people assigned female at birth, face in the health system.
Special supplement shines a light on role of education in growing Australia’s rural health workforce
The Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner has partnered with the Medical Journal of Australia to produce a special supplement that shines a light on the important role education plays in developing and growing Australia’s regional, rural, and remote health workforce.
$10 million for research to address areas of unmet health need using existing data infrastructure in news ways
Apply for funding under the 2023 Research Data Infrastructure grant opportunity from 29 August 2023. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Take part in the PaRIS Health Survey
We invite general practices to take part in the PaRIS (Patient-Reported Indicator Survey) Health Survey. This international research aims to improve the care of adults living with chronic conditions.
$1.1 million for a breakthrough lung disease scanner
The Australian Government is investing $1.1 million in a revolutionary lung disease scanner. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
mRNA therapies to stop heart disease
Associate Professor Xiaowei Wang wants to stop heart disease. To reach this goal, Xiaowei is developing mRNA therapies. She uses nanoparticles in nasal spray and with ultrasound to target these therapies to disease sites in the body.
Shaping the future of the Medical Research Future Fund and Medical Research Endowment Account
Consultation to improve alignment and coordination between the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the NHMRC Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) closed on 14 July 2023.
Donate a minute to give someone else a lifetime
This DonateLife Week, we're encouraging more Australians to sign up and support organ and tissue donation.
Improving health outcomes for people living with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (long COVID)
A new research plan to improve health outcomes for people living with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (also called long COVID) will shape $50 million in funding from the Medical Research Future Fund. An independent Expert Advisory Panel formed the plan. Members tell us how it meets an urgent need.
Revised national statement on ethical conduct in human research
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023 sets the requirements for the ethical design, review and conduct of human research in Australia.
FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ ready to take the pitch
Australia prepares for history as it welcomes teams from across the globe to the largest female sporting event in the world.
Learn about consumer involvement in research supported by the Medical Research Future Fund
Consumers bring a broad range of valuable perspectives and experiences that can improve the quality, relevance and impact of research. Join our webinar on 3 August 2023 to learn about consumer involvement in research funded by the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Reducing the stigma of elder abuse to improve older people’s health
Elder abuse causes declining physical and mental health in older people. But older people are often too ashamed to report it. Professor Bianca Brijnath is trialling a new model of care to help older people report abuse and improve their health.
Exploring careers in mental health – Webinar, 17 July 2023
We invite you to join our ‘lunch and learn’ webinar to find out more information about a fulfilling career in mental health.
Childhood immunisation – One more way to keep them safe
Learn more about childhood immunisation and how to protect your kids with free routine immunisations.
Keep your lungs strong and healthy this winter with Lung Foundation Australia
Make time for your lungs. Learn about lung health and how you can best protect your mob from lung disease.
$43 million for research into the better use of genomics in diagnoses and the improved mental health and wellbeing of vulnerable people
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant opportunities to the value of $43 million are now available.
The National One Stop Shop – a national platform for health-related human research
The consultation report for the National One Stop Shop for Clinical Trials and Health-related Human Research is now available.
Hearing Services Program provider notice 2023-03 – Schedule of Service Items and Fees 2023–24
The Schedule of Service Items and Fees 2023–24 is available. The schedule has an updated format and new and updated information on several topics.
National Immunisation Program (NIP) changes from 1 July 2023
From 1 July 2023, changes to the National Immunisation Program are coming into effect. This includes listing Vaxelis® as an alternative vaccine for children of a certain age, and the meningococcal B catch-up vaccination program for First Nations children under 2 years of age will be made ongoing.
$29.6 million to support First Nations-led research and to help people with traumatic brain injury
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant opportunities to the value of $29.6 million are now available.
Upcoming Medical Research Future Fund grant opportunities
You can now read about Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant opportunities forecast to open from July 2023.
Experts to guide Medical Research Future Fund investments in priority areas
The Australian Government has appointed 4 expert advisory panels (EAPs) to inform Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) investments in priority areas.
Finding a drug to protect the heart from damage by COVID-19
COVID-19 can be fatal for patients with heart disease. Even patients without heart disease can suffer damage to their heart. Bioengineer Professor James Hudson has found a drug which could protect our hearts from this damage.
$73 million for medical technology and research
The Australian Government is investing $73 million for medical research facilities to support better cancer treatments, new vaccines, depression treatment and research into gut health. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Lower medicine costs for chronic health conditions
Under the first stage of the 60-day dispensing policy, eligible Australians living with chronic health conditions will have access to 92 cheaper Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines.
Funding rates for health and medical research
Read about Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) funding between 2020 and 2022.
Release of the Ngayubah Gadan Consensus Statement
The Ngayubah Gadan Consensus Statement is a unified call from rural and remote health stakeholders to support, fund and enable Rural and Remote Multidisciplinary Health Teams to deliver high quality care to the communities they serve.
Statement on the end of Japanese encephalitis virus emergency response
A statement from Australia's Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, on the end of Japanese encephalitis virus emergency response.
Exploring careers in mental health – webinar series
We invite you to join our ‘lunch and learn’ webinar to find out more information about a fulfilling career in mental health.
$50 million investment in new models of primary care
The Australian Government has announced a $50 million research initiative to drive innovation in primary care. Funding is from the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Consultation on Australia's first National Health and Climate Strategy
We are seeking feedback on Australia's first National Health and Climate Strategy. Learn more about the strategy and how you can have your say.
Emerging health and medical research leaders are solving health problems and improving health care
The MRFF’s Early to Mid-Career Researchers initiative helps emerging health and medical research leaders team up to solve difficult health problems or improve health care. Project leaders explain their ground-breaking research.
Consultation open for development of the Fourth National Hepatitis B Strategy 2023–2030 and Sixth National Hepatitis C Strategy 2023–2030
We are seeking feedback from health professionals, researchers, community organisations and people living with or affected by hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
Have your say on the Medical Research Future Fund and Medical Research Endowment Account
Consultation on the alignment and coordination of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) and the Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) is now open.
Common Operating Picture discontinuation
The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Common Operating Picture (COP) has been discontinued.
$50 million for a new childhood mental health research plan
The Australian Government will invest $50 million in the Medical Research Future Fund’s (MRFF) Childhood Mental Health Research Plan. This investment will respond to the decline of mental health, and the rise of self-harm and eating disorders, in children.
Protect yourself and your mob from the flu this winter
Influenza (also known as 'flu') is a highly contagious illness caused by the influenza virus. There are simple things you can do to protect yourself and your mob from flu.
Heart Health
Heart Week is Australia’s national heart health awareness week held in the first week of May each year.
To celebrate National Reconciliation Week, we ask First Nations health and medical research experts how we are closing the gap
Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between First Nations and non-First Nations peoples, for the benefit of all Australians. First Nations health and medical research experts tell us what we have achieved and what more we can do to improve the health of their peoples.
ATAGI advice on the preferential use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines for primary vaccination of people aged 12 years or older
ATAGI has made recommendations on the use of bivalent COVID-19 vaccines as a primary course.
Committee to advise on Medical Research Future Fund health technology assessment investments
The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Chairs Committee will advise on HTA investments under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
Birthing healthy and strong babies on Country
Professor Yvette Roe leads a collaborative partnership that is transforming maternity care to promote the best start in life for First Nations children. The partnership is translating the successful Indigenous Birthing in an Urban Setting study into rural, remote and very remote settings.
Female Football Week kicks off for 2023
With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup just weeks away, what better way to celebrate and embrace women and girls in the game than during Female Football Week?
Report on Medical Research Future Fund support for medical research and innovation
The Financial assistance to support the Australian Medical Research and Innovation Priorities 2020–2022 report is now available.
A national nursing workforce strategy for Australia
To better support the nursing workforce, we are developing Australia’s first National Nursing Workforce Strategy. We are doing this through a partnership with Victoria and in collaboration with all Australian Governments.
Release of the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan
The Australian Government has released the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan. The plan will strengthen the nurse practitioner workforce to deliver more services to address the health needs of the Australian community.
Insights into the Medical Research Future Fund Coronavirus Research Response
Read about the research, researchers and institutions funded under the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Coronavirus Research Response.
Consider a career in mental health
The mental health field is growing rapidly, with many career paths and educational opportunities. Learn about how to get involved and become qualified to start, or diversify your career in mental health.
More medicine, for less
The Australian Government is making hundreds of medicines cheaper by allowing millions of Australians to buy two months’ worth of medicine for the price of a single prescription.
Statement on 60-day medicine dispensing
A statement from Australia's acting Chief Medical Officer, Professor Michael Kidd, responding to reports in the media about 60-day medicine dispensing.
Priorities set for the Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission
The Million Minds Mental Health Research Mission Roadmap and Implementation Plan are now available. The Mission is an initiative of the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF).
$7.5 million boost to hearing health research
The Australian Government has provided close to $7.5 million to support research into improving ear and hearing health. The grants fund 9 research projects focusing on the health and wellbeing of those living with hearing impairments and preventing hearing loss.
$6.5 million provided to support children with hearing loss
The Australian Government has provided $6.5 million to The Shepherd Centre, to address gaps in hearing services available to children with hearing loss. The funding will assist children and their families in New South Wales and Tasmania.
National Cabinet Statement on a better future for the federation
See the below statement, released following the conclusion of National Cabinet on Friday 28 April 2023.
$77 million for research into cardiovascular health, dementia and aged care and stem cell therapies
Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) grant opportunities to the value of $77 million are now available.
Autism, Our Kids, Our Stories
Positive Partnerships is proud to offer a new resource called Autism, Our Kids, Our Stories: Voices of Aboriginal Parents Across Australia, to address the lack of awareness or recognition of autism in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
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