We have published a wealth of information on Australian health and medical research, and on specific issues relating to Australian health and health care. These include statements, strategies, guidelines and other reports – all of which are publicly available.
Search our resources including guidelines, fact sheets, policies, and case studies. See more at Publications.
If you are unable to find what you are looking for, you can search for archived resources on the National Library's Australian Government Web Archive (Trove).
Safer contact lenses
Contact lenses provide improved vision for many people around the world, however when they were initially developed they could also impair eye health. The work of NHMRC-funded researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) led to significant positive impacts on eye care globally. These included the development of a much safer type of contact lens along with several other market-leading products, and advancing knowledge about contact lens-related infection and inflammation.
Providing access to the latest knowledge
The growth of the international scientific enterprise has led to the creation of enormous amounts of new health and medical knowledge that has positively transformed health care. However, during the mid-1900s, managing and gaining access to this knowledge was becoming increasingly difficult for both researchers and clinicians. To address this challenge, NHMRC was instrumental in introducing to Australia a system called MEDLARS. This system – now known as MEDLINE/PubMed – has become essential for biomedical and health researchers and clinicians worldwide.
Applying the research impact assessment criteria for peer review video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers assistance on NHMRC’s retrospective research impact assessment criteria.
Utilising the score descriptors for peer review video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers assistance on the content of the score descriptors and how to best use them to provide consistent, fair and robust assessments.
Preventing HIV transmission
In the 2000s, rising annual Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) diagnoses in Australia highlighted the need for developing new ways of preventing HIV transmission. Researchers at the University of New South Wales’ (UNSW) Kirby Institute and the Centre for Social Research in Health conducted a series of NHMRC-supported studies demonstrating the effectiveness of antiretroviral medicines in preventing transmission. Their work guided the successful scale up of HIV treatment as prevention and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), resulting in substantial declines in HIV infections in Australia and ensuring Australia remains a global leader in HIV prevention.
Evolution of microsurgery
Microsurgery describes surgical procedures performed using a microscope and specialised tools. It is often used to connect small structures in the body such as blood vessels, nerves and lymphatics. NHMRC-funded researchers in (what is now) the O’Brien Department of St Vincent’s Institute of Medical Research have been at the forefront of developing microsurgery since its emergence during the mid-20th century. Their pioneering precision instruments, microsurgical techniques and research models revolutionised surgical practice, allowing countless patients worldwide to receive a standard of surgical reconstruction for their injuries that was previously impossible.
Child Safe Policy
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is committed to implementing the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and the Commonwealth Child Safe Framework.
Privacy Policy
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) recognises that our staff and stakeholders value their privacy, and we make privacy a part of our everyday business. This means we incorporate privacy into strategic planning and take a 'privacy by design' approach to integrating privacy management into our projects and practices.
Curing stomach ulcers
Inflammation of the stomach (gastritis) and peptic ulcers have been significant sources of illness throughout recorded history. Up until the 1980s, they were thought to be caused by excess stomach acid, stress, or dietary factors such as spicy food or alcohol. However, NHMRC-funded researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) played key roles in the Nobel Prize winning discovery that ulcers are ultimately caused by a bacterial infection and that they can be cured using antibiotics. This research has led to the virtual elimination of peptic ulcer disease throughout the world, where treatment is available.
Ideas Grants 2025 peer reviewer forum questions and answers
Questions and answers from the Ideas Grants 2025 peer reviewer webinar. Recorded 22 July 2025.
Ideas Grants 2025 peer reviewer question and answer webinar transcript
Transcript for the Ideas Grants peer reviewer question and answer webinar. Recorded on Tuesday, 22 July 2025 10:30 pm - 12:30 pm (AEST).
NHMRC Complaints Policy
The NHMRC Complaints Policy sets out how NHMRC manages complaints about its activities, policies and decision-making.
Helping kids with anxiety
Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions affecting children and adolescents globally.1 These disorders can appear as early as preschool age and often have significant negative impacts on a young person’s daily life. They can impair academic performance, career prospects and social life, and can lead to ongoing mental health challenges. NHMRC-funded researchers at Macquarie University and the University of Queensland played key roles in demonstrating the importance of early anxiety intervention. Their work has led to the development of highly effective treatment methods that are now in use internationally.
Improving dental health
Oral diseases such as tooth decay and erosion are the most prevalent diseases of humankind and create a substantial economic and social burden. The cost of treating oral diseases and disorders in Australia is $10 billion per annum, with the full global economic impact of oral diseases in 2010 estimated at US$442 billion.1 NHMRC-funded researchers at the Melbourne Dental School and the University of Melbourne have developed new technologies that significantly improve dental health, and that are being used worldwide.
Companion resources to support guideline developers
NHMRC has developed a suite of resources to assist developers in following the NHMRC guideline approval process and meeting the requirements.
NHMRC guideline approval process roles and responsibilities
This flowchart provides a summary of the roles of guideline developers, the Office of NHMRC (ONHMRC) and NHMRC Council at each stage of the NHMRC guideline approval process. A PDF version is available to download.
Additional resources about PFAS
This section lists additional resources about PFAS in drinking water.
Administrative and supporting information for the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines
Administrative and supporting information for the June 2025 updates to the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
CEO Message: NHMRC Review of PFAS in Australian drinking water
NHMRC has published updated advice on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (the Guidelines), which includes new and revised guideline values for PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS and PFBS.
Guideline development for review of PFAS in drinking water
This section provides information on the key stages of the review of PFAS in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines.
NHMRC Review of PFAS in Australian drinking water
This section details what you need to know about the NHMRC review of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in Australian drinking water.
Questions and answers on review of PFAS in drinking water
This section includes questions and answers about the review of PFAS in drinking water.
Guidelines for producing NHMRC Case Studies
NHMRC seeks to maximise the reporting of impacts arising from the research that it funds and from its other activities, but it cannot undertake this impact reporting on its own.
Data dictionary and data glossary
This data glossary provides definitions for key terms frequently used by NHMRC to describe our data. The data dictionary (available to download below) defines and describes key fields within our systems. These serve as a reference guide to ensure consistency and clarity in understanding terms we use.
2025 Synergy Grants peer reviewer briefing
This video is to provide Synergy Grants peer reviewers assistance in understanding the peer review process.
Improving vision with corneal transplants
Corneal transplantation is the most common form of transplantation surgery occurring in the world and, globally, it provides improved vision to many thousands of people each year. NHMRC-funded researchers at Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University have made major contributions to improving clinical and eye bank practice both in Australia and internationally, through their establishment of the Australian Corneal Graft Registry (ACGR), the largest registry of its type in the world.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Transparency Statement
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is dedicated to the adoption and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This Transparency Statement outlines our approach to AI use within the NHMRC, in accordance with the DTA's policy for responsible AI in government.
Helping premature babies breathe
Each year, almost 1 in 10 babies are born prematurely in Australia.1 Babies born early face numerous health challenges, including needing help to breathe for weeks or months after birth. For babies born very preterm, lung complications can continue well into childhood. Supported by NHMRC grants, collaborating researchers from The Royal Women’s Hospital, University of Melbourne, Monash University, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, and University of Tasmania implemented numerous programs aimed at improving the care of premature infants, leading to their improved long-term lung health.
Better treatment for glaucoma
Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with an estimated 80 million people affected1 including more than 200,000 Australians.2 Over two decades, NHMRC-funded researchers at the Lions Eye Institute (LEI) and the University of Western Australia (UWA) developed a new approach that has revolutionised glaucoma treatment, leading to safer surgery and improved vision outcomes. With later support from an international industry team, this new glaucoma surgery is now in use worldwide.
Establishing kidney transplantation
Up until the mid-20th century there was little that clinicians could do to help a patient with renal (kidney) failure: the condition was fatal. By the late 1960s, however, advancements in medical research had made it possible to replace diseased kidneys with healthy ones through transplantation and to keep patients alive with dialysis until donor kidneys became available. NHMRC-funded clinician researchers played key roles in transforming kidney transplantation from an experimental procedure to a world-leading health care service for Australians with renal disease.
Regulatory Statement of Expectations and Statement of Intent
Statements of Expectations are issued by the responsible Minister to provide greater clarity about government policies and objectives relevant to an agency, including the policies and priorities it is expected to observe in conducting its operations. The Accountable Authority under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, in the case of NHMRC, the CEO, respond to this statement with their Statement of Intent.
NHMRC recently received a Regulatory Statement of Expectations from the Minister for Health and Aged Care highlighting government expectations in relation to how the Office of NHMRC supports and reports on the independent regulatory functions of the Embryo Research Licensing Committee.
Outcomes of Synergy Grants
Outcomes of Synergy Grants funding rounds.
Preterm births and omega-3
Worldwide, preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks) is the single largest cause of death in the newborn period and early childhood.1 In Australia each year, around 8% of babies (almost 26,000 in 2019)2 are born prematurely. A wide variety of health issues are associated with pre-term birth, including developmental delay, cerebral palsy, hearing and visual impairments, learning difficulties and psychiatric disorders. NHMRC-funded researchers at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and other Adelaide-based institutions have made major contributions to reducing the prevalence of premature births and improving the health of premature babies.
Video Recordings and Transcripts – Privacy Collection Notice
As part of performing its functions, NHMRC may record video and audio of meetings it holds and obtain auto-generated transcripts of the meeting.
The personal information collected may include name, email address, phone number, digital images, video and audio recordings of you, text (in chats), information about you, including your participating in the meeting and your opinion on the matters discussed during the meeting.
A foundation for neuroscience
The human central nervous system is extremely complex, consisting of about 86 billion neurons,1 and with each neuron capable of forming thousands of connections with other neurons. It is these connections that make the nervous system capable of processing information, but up until the mid-20th century some key aspects of their functions were unknown. NHMRC-funded researchers made critical breakthroughs in our understanding of how neurons communicate with each other, and in doing so provided a foundation for modern neuroscience and neurotransmitter-based medicine.
How to assess applicants applying at an inappropriate level video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers with assistance on assessing applicants who have applied at an inappropriate level.
How to assess publications for peer review video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers with assistance on reviewing publications.
Providing applicant feedback for peer review video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers assistance in providing feedback to applicants.
Tips and tricks for peer review video
This video is to provide Investigator Grants peer reviewers with some tips and tricks for peer review.
Ideas Grants 2024 peer reviewer webinar questions and answers
Questions and answers from the Ideas Grants 2024 peer reviewer webinar. Recorded 16 July 2024. A PDF version is available to download.
Ideas Grants peer reviewer Q&A webinar transcript
Transcript for the Ideas Grants peer reviewer Q&A webinar. Recorded on Tuesday, 16 July 2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm (AEST).
Conflict of interest and suitability declarations video
This video is to assist Investigator Grants peer reviewers.
Screening to prevent bowel cancer
Colorectal adenocarcinoma, also known as colorectal cancer (CRC) or bowel cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in Australia. With one of the highest rates of CRC in the world, Australia was also the first country in the world to implement and sustain a national population-based organised CRC screening program using faecal immunochemical tests. NHMRC-funded researchers made key contributions to the program’s initial development and ongoing conduct.
A vaccine for chikungunya virus
Chikungunya is a mosquito-transmitted viral disease characterised by sporadic, unpredictable outbreaks. Due to international travel and the spread of potential disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitos, chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infections have been identified in over 125 countries.1 Over the past 20 years, more than 10 million chikungunya virus infections have been reported, highlighting CHIKV as a significant global health threat. An international consortium involving NHMRC-funded researchers at Griffith University has developed 2 vaccines against CHIKV.
Fact sheet: Benefit for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health question – Centres of Research Excellence pilot
As a recommended action under NHMRC’s Road Map 3: A strategic framework for improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health through research and associated Action Plan 2021–2024 Triennium, a review of the Indigenous Research Excellence Criteria (IREC) was undertaken in 2023. This included national consultation with the feedback considered by the Principal Committee Indigenous Caucus (PCIC) and a consultation report released in December 2023.
Bronchitis fact sheet
Bronchitis is a chest infection, usually caused by a virus. The virus makes the lining of the windpipe and bronchi (the tubes leading from the windpipe to the lungs) inflamed and swollen, so it produces more mucus than normal. This causes a cough and sometimes a pain in the throat or upper chest when coughing. Bronchitis is usually mild in children.
Campylobacter infection fact sheet
Campylobacter infection is a type of gastroenteritis (or 'gastro') caused by Campylobacter bacteria. Symptoms usually start a few days after infection, and include stomach cramps, diarrhoea (sometimes with blood in it), fever, nausea and vomiting. It may cause dehydration, which can be dangerous for young children.
Chickenpox (varicella) fact sheet
Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Symptoms start with a fever, headache or tiredness. This is followed by a characteristic spotty, itchy rash of small, fluid-filled blisters, which quickly spreads all over the body. Chickenpox is usually a mild disease in children, but complications occur in around 1% of cases.
Cold sores (herpes simplex) fact sheet
Cold sores are caused by the herpes simplex virus and are very common. About 20% of children will have been infected by the age of 5 years, and about 80% of people will have been infected by the time they are adults. Once a person is infected, the virus can reactivate and cause new cold sores throughout life.
Cold sores usually start with a tingling or burning sensation on or around the lips, followed by the appearance of small, painful blisters. The blisters break, form a scab and then heal, usually without leaving a scar. Cold sores usually last 3 to 7 days. Cold sores can appear on the eye if the person touches an active cold sore and then touches their eye. Although this is rare, any child with a painful red eye should be seen by a doctor.
Common cold fact sheet
Colds are the most common cause of sickness in both children and adults. Symptoms include a runny or blocked nose, sneezing and coughing, watery eyes, headache, sore throat and a possible slight fever.
Children in education and care services can have as many as 8 to 12 colds a year. However, by the time they are 3 years old, children who attend a service have no more colds than those who are cared for only at home.