Research and clinical trials

Victoria is recognised nationally and globally as a leader in cutting-edge health and medical research.

Our medical research sector supports more than 30,000 jobs across institutes, universities and industry, and our research community is continually generating incredible scientific breakthroughs.

Translation of this research into innovative medical interventions means greater access to life-improving treatments and care for Victorians – and more jobs and economic growth across the state.

Clinical trials

Victoria is the premier location for clinical trials and research in Australia, and we are proud to be recognised as a global leader in this field.

Visit the Victorian Government’s Clinical Trials and Research website to learn more.

Medical research institutes

Victoria is the proud home of 18 world-class medical research institutes which, together, employ over 6,000 people.

The Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute (ARMI) is one of the world’s largest regenerative medicine and stem cell research hubs.

ARMI’s research aims to create the technology and therapies that will be able to prevent, halt and reverse damage to organs and tissues caused by disease, injury and genetic conditions.

Established in 1926, the Baker Institute is one of Australia’s oldest medical research organisations and the first to target cardiovascular disease, diabetes and related disorders at the clinical and population health levels.

The Institute’s work extends from the laboratory to wide-scale community studies, with a focus on diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

The Bionics Institute brings together neuroscientists, engineers and clinicians to undertake innovative research into areas of clinical need.

The Institute translates research findings into tangible outcomes like medical devices, therapies and diagnostic tools, which can help to improve the lives of people with chronic and debilitating conditions including hearing loss, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and balance and movement disorders.

The Burnet Institute brings together a diverse skill base, with more than 400 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address challenging global health issues from infectious disease to maternal and adolescent health.

The Institute strives to achieve better health for vulnerable communities in Australia and internationally by accelerating the translation of research, discovery and evidence into sustainable health solutions.

The Centre for Eye Research Australia (CERA) is an international leader in eye research and ophthalmology, using world-class expertise to achieve better treatments and faster diagnosis of eye disease.

CERA is committed to conducting eye research with real-life impact, finding ways to prevent vision loss and using artificial intelligence to create innovative diagnostics and treatments.

The Florey Institute is a global leader in neuroscience and mental health research, and the largest brain research group in the southern hemisphere.

Home to over 600 researchers, the Florey is a world leader in imaging technology, stroke rehabilitation and large population studies to improve patient care around the world.

The Hudson Institute is a global bioscience leader, recognised internationally for discovery science and translational research.

The Institute strives to improve human health through ground-breaking medical research discoveries in areas including reproductive health, infant and child health and cancer, and the translation of these breakthroughs to real-world impact.

The Institute for Breathing and Sleep (IBAS) promotes and co-ordinates research and education in respiratory and sleep health.

IBAS aims to reduce morbidity and mortality and improve quality of life for people with respiratory and sleep disorders.

Home to more than 700 researchers, the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute is one of the largest research institutes in the southern hemisphere.

The Institute brings together national and international research collaborators to tackle global health priorities and accelerate biomedical breakthroughs in the lab into clinical treatments.

The Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) is the largest child health research institute in Australia and one of the top three worldwide for research quality and impact.

The MCRI team of more than 1200 researchers is dedicated to making discoveries to prevent and treat childhood conditions –like diabetes, allergies, asthma, premature birth and cancer – and improve the lives of millions of kids each year.

The National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) is the first academic centre in Australia focused on research and ageing, bringing together industry leaders, academic experts, and world-class educators to shape the agenda in ageing research and aged care.

NARI improves the health and quality of life of older people and those who care for them through targeted research and evidence-based practice.

The Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute is committed to discovering and developing new cancer therapies to provide real benefits for people impacted by cancer.

Scientific discoveries are rapidly translated into breakthrough clinical therapies, with the Institute's investigators overseeing active clinical trials across Australia.

Orygen is a national centre for excellence in youth mental health, bridging translational medical research with clinical care to deliver real-world practical solutions.

Orygen's world-leading researchers work alongside a youth research council and collaborate with partners around Australia and the world to deliver global research innovation and understanding.

The Doherty Institute is a centre of excellence where leading scientists and clinicians collaborate to improve human health globally.

Through innovative discovery research, the Doherty aims to find solutions to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases and understand the complexities of microbes and the immune system.

Peter Mac is a world-leading cancer research, education and treatment centre and Australia's only public health service solely dedicated to caring for people affected by cancer.

With more than 700 laboratory and clinical researchers, Peter Mac is focused on accelerating discovery to provide better treatments, better care and potential cures for cancer.

St Vincent's Institute conducts medical research into the cause, prevention and treatment of diseases that are common and have serious effects on health, including cancer, diabetes and bone diseases.

The Institute focuses on the front end of discovery, tackling the challenge of fundamentally understanding common diseases before translating that understanding into life-saving discoveries.

The Turner Institute is one of Australia's largest Institutes for brain and mental health, bringing together world-leading research capability and people to find novel solutions to the mental health challenges facing our modern world.

The Institute is responding to common community challenges to develop resilient brains, promote brain-healthy lifestyles, and maximise cognitive capabilities.

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute (WEHI) is Australia's oldest medical research institute, committed to solving complex health problems and improving health outcomes through discovery, translation and education.

More than 30 million people worldwide have been helped by discoveries made at WEHI, with more than 850 researchers working to understand, prevent and treat diseases including cancers, immune disorders and infectious diseases.

Page last updated: 29 February 2024