The Australian Government has announced the membership of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Council for the 2024–2027 triennium.
Under the leadership of Professor Caroline Homer AO, a distinguished midwifery researcher and expert in maternal and newborn health care, the NHMRC Council will serve until 30 June 2027.
Membership of the NHMRC Council brings together expertise in public health and medical research, the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, the medical profession and postgraduate medical training, nursing and health care training, as well as business and consumer perspectives, and the Chief Medical Officers or Chief Health Officers of the Commonwealth and all states and territories.
Among the appointed members of NHMRC Council are:
Associate Professor Stephen Adelstein, an allergy specialist and immunologist who will provide expertise in professional medical standards.
Professor Yvette Roe, leading First Nations researcher who will provide expertise in the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Professor Anushka Patel, cardiologist and who will provide expertise in public health research and medical research issues.
Bronwyn LeGrice, experienced executive in health technology commercialisation, venture capital and industry advocacy who will provide expertise in business.
Professor Jonathan Carapetis AM, infectious diseases consultant and physician who will provide expertise in public health research and medical research issues.
Professor Raymond Chan, oncology nurse and leading researcher in cancer care, systems and policy who will provide expertise in the nursing profession.
Professor Susan Hillier, academic and clinician with expertise in neuroscience and rehabilitation who will provide expertise in health care training.
Adjunct Professor Darryl O’Donnell, health leader with experience in community, research and public sector roles who will provide expertise in public health and health policy.
Professor Stephen Robson, clinician specialist in reproductive medicine, and former president of the Australian Medical Association, who will provide expertise in the medical profession.
The newly established NHMRC Council comes at a time of significant change in the leadership and governance of health and medical research. This includes the reform to the Australian Government’s investment in health and medical research and improving alignment and coordination of NHMRC’s Medical Research Endowment Account (MREA) and the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) administered by the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Health and Health Medical Research Office (HMRO).
Improved alignment and coordination between the MREA and MRFF were highlighted as part of the national consultation undertaken by the Australian Government in 2023. This action coincides with the development of the National Health and Medical Research Strategy (the Strategy) to provide national direction, build on Australia’s strengths in the health and medical research sector, fill any gaps, and continue to attract researchers and investors to Australia.
Under the new advisory arrangements, NHMRC Council will jointly meet with the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board (AMRAB).
NHMRC is Australia’s leading expert body promoting the development and maintenance of public and individual health standards and is recognised as the authority in health and medical research.
The NHMRC Council provides leadership and expert advice to support the NHMRC Chief Executive Officer, Professor Steve Wesselingh, to achieve these functions and NHMRC’s vision of building a healthy Australia.
Quotes attributable to NHMRC CEO, Professor Steve Wesselingh:
- “As NHMRC CEO, I am looking forward to working with the new council and having their support. Together we will shape and support Australia’s health and medical research workforce and assist the Department of Health and Aged Care to develop a National Health and Medical Research Strategy.
- “The diverse range of skills and expertise of the new membership will ensure that the advice provided is nuanced and considers the health of all Australians.
- “To all council members appointed under today’s announcement, welcome. Your governance and leadership will help NHMRC deliver its vision of a healthy Australia.”
Table 1: Members of Council 2024–2027 triennium
| Professor Caroline HOMER AO | Chair |
| Associate Professor Stephen ADELSTEIN | Member with expertise in professional medical standards and Chair of the Australian Health Ethics Committee |
| Professor Emily BANKS AM | Member with expertise in public health |
| Ms Ainslie CAHILL AM | Member with expertise in consumer issues |
| Professor Jonathan CARAPETIS AM | Member with expertise in public health research and medical research issues |
| Professor Raymond CHAN | Member with expertise in the nursing profession |
| Professor Jane GUNN AO | Member with expertise in the medical profession and postgraduate medical training |
| Professor Elizabeth HARTLAND AM | Member with other appropriate expertise (basic science) |
| Professor Susan HILLIER | Member with expertise in health care training |
| Ms Bronwyn LE GRICE | Member with expertise in business |
| Professor Richard MURRAY | Member with expertise in the medical profession and postgraduate medical training |
| Adjunct Professor Darryl O’DONNELL | Member with expertise in public health |
| Professor Anushka PATEL | Member with expertise in public health and medical research issues and Chair of Research Committee |
| Professor Yvette ROE | Member with expertise in the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people |
| Professor Stephen ROBSON | Member with expertise in the medical profession and postgraduate medical training |
| The Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer | Ex-officio Member |
| Chief Medical or Health Officers for each State and Territory | Ex-officio Members |
