Strategy

Western Australia’s commitment to driving health and medical research is supported by a strong foundation of strategic planning across the sector.

Health and Medical Research Strategy

The WA Health and Medical Research Strategy 2023–2033 outlines the priorities and direction of health and medical research for the state. The strategy leverages the distinct advantages and opportunities of WA's unique geography and population to strengthen research capability across the sector.

Developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders, including researchers, healthcare providers, funders and industry, the strategy reflects the needs and priorities of our complex health and medical research ecosystem.

With a focus on increasing collaboration, investment, capacity and capability, the strategy will position Western Australia as an international leader in health and medical research and ensure that the benefits of research are felt by the community.

The Department of Health has developed a governance framework to support the implementation of strategy, including the Sector Advisory Panel, a government reference group, working groups and sector roundtables.

The Sector Advisory Panel was formed in August 2023 to provide advice and guidance to the department on matters related to the implementation of the strategy and includes members that represent the breadth of the WA health and medical research sector.

Future Heath Research and Innovation Fund Strategy

The inaugural FHRI Fund Strategy was developed through extensive research, analysis of national and international best practice, alignment with important reports and other strategies, and substantial stakeholder consultation.

In August 2022, the FHRI Fund Advisory Council resolved to target 6 objectives and, with the approval of the Minister for Medical Research, introduced 4 focus areas:

• A (Aboriginal, rural and remote health)
• B (burden of diseases)
• C (living with COVID-19 and Long-Covid)
• M (mental health, kept distinct to ensure parity of esteem)

10-Year Science and Technology Plan

The 10-Year Science and Technology Plan is a strategic initiative by the Western Australian Government, aimed at positioning WA as a global leader in science and technology. This comprehensive plan focuses on leveraging the state's strengths in areas such as radio astronomy, space operations, remote technologies, marine science, and medical technology. By fostering innovation and collaboration, the plan seeks to address current and future challenges, including economic diversification, decarbonisation, and improving quality of life. Through broad stakeholder consultation, the plan aims to create an inclusive, impactful roadmap that will drive sustainable growth and technological advancement over the next decade.

Allied Health and Health Sciences Research and Knowledge Translation: A Strategic Framework

The framework is a comprehensive plan developed to embed research and knowledge translation as core practices within the Western Australian health system. This framework, created through extensive collaboration with stakeholders, aims to build research capacity and foster a culture of innovation among allied health and health science professionals.

Diversify WA

Diversify WA is the Western Australian Government's strategic framework for economic development, aimed at creating a robust and diversified economy. Launched in 2019, this initiative focuses on collaboration between government, industry, and the community to drive growth and secure quality jobs. Diversify WA identifies 8 priority sectors where Western Australia has a competitive advantage, including energy, tourism, international education, defence industries, and health and medical life sciences. By fostering investment and innovation in these areas, Diversify WA aims to build a sustainable and resilient economy that benefits all Western Australians.

Health and Medical Life Sciences Strategy

Western Australia's first-ever Health and Medical Life Sciences Industry Strategy signals the government's commitment to supporting digital health, medical technology, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and health and wellness sectors.

The strategy highlights the health and medical life sciences industry's growth potential and builds on Western Australia's existing comparative advantages to seize the opportunity this industry represents.

Western Australia has a world-class research base, entrepreneurial talent and commercialisation track record in the health and medical life sciences.

Innovation Strategy

Western Australia’s Innovation Strategy provides a vision for Western Australia that sets out clear goals from which to steer and prioritise efforts and benchmark our performance. It provides a holistic approach to innovation that recognises the many parts that make up the innovation ecosystem – and the central importance of people.

The strategy's goal is to inspire a new generation of innovators to solve our challenges and encourage the economy to move in exciting, new directions. The mission is to elevate Western Australian innovation onto the global radar and propel the local ecosystem into a new phase of growth.

WA Genomics Strategy 2022–2032 

The WA Genomics Strategy 2022–2032 aims to integrate genomics into Western Australia's healthcare system to achieve precision medicine and precision public health. This strategy outlines 5 key priorities: person and family-centredness, genomic healthcare services, workforce education and training, digital health and data, and research and innovation. By focusing on these areas, the strategy ensures that all Western Australians benefit from the timely and appropriate use of genomics, enhancing health outcomes and fostering a robust, innovative healthcare environment.

WA Health Data Linkage Strategy

The WA Health Data Linkage Strategy is a plan to reform, modernise, simplify and improve access to health data – making it easier for researchers to use data to inform research that will ultimately benefit patients and the Western Australian community.

WA health service provider research strategies

• The WA Country Health Service (WACHS) Research Strategy 2019–2024 focuses on improving health care in regional and remote areas through collaboration and innovation.
• The North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS) Research Strategy aims to integrate research into clinical practice, enhancing research capacity and patient care.
• The South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) Research Strategy 2023–2033 emphasises embedding research into clinical practice to improve patient outcomes and foster a collaborative research environment.
• The East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) Research Strategy and Innovation Plan 2024–2028 leverages advanced technologies and focuses on key areas such as virtual care and mental health, aiming to integrate research into core business practices and address health inequities.

Western Australian Mental Health Research Framework 2024–2028

The Western Australian Mental Health Research Framework 2024–2028 is a comprehensive roadmap designed to enhance mental health research across the state. Developed through extensive consultation with stakeholders, including those with lived experience, this framework aims to build a vibrant, innovative, and collaborative mental health research community. It focuses on strategic agendas such as fostering partnerships, prioritising lived experience in research, and leveraging the research ecosystem. By aligning with broader health and medical research strategies, the framework ensures that mental health research in WA is impactful, ethical, and geared towards improving the wellbeing of all Western Australians.