The PHRN will receive an additional $11.88 million through the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy, announced today by the Federal Government’s Department of Education. The funding will strengthen Australia’s national health data linkage capability, supporting research that improves healthcare, informs policy and delivers better outcomes for Australians. The investment includes: The Australian Institute of Health and…
A quiet revolution in heart care is underway — powered not by a new drug or device, but by data. Supported by PHRN infrastructure, the National Echo Database of Australia and New Zealand (NEDA) has brought together nearly two million echocardiograms from more than one million people, linked to national mortality data. In our recent…
A new generation of linked data tools is transforming the future of clinical trials in Australia. Through the Trial Link project, we’re building a national integrated gateway designed to make linked health data easier to discover, access and use for clinical trials and medical product development. By improving the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of data linkage,…
PHRN has launched a new online course designed to help clinical trial teams confidently use linked data in their studies. Developed in partnership with the Australian Clinical Trials Alliance, the course focuses on common challenges: knowing what data is available for linkage, how to incorporate it into trial design, and how to navigate governance and…
Yesterday, we had the privilege of bringing together an exceptional group of participants for the CROSS Link Co Design Workshop in Melbourne. The workshop brought together consumers, Clinical Quality Registry leaders, data linkage experts, legal and ethics specialists, policymakers and data custodians to collaboratively explore what enduring linkage of CQR data to administrative data needs…
For Australia to excel in data‑driven health research and innovation, we need strong public trust and coordinated, responsible governance of health and medical data. Last week’s GP Data for Research stakeholder design roundtable, marking the culmination of the five‑year GP Data Project, advanced this national conversation on how GP data can be ethically, legally and…
When health data can save lives, what influence should the community have on its use? This is the central question of “social license”—the ongoing acceptance and approval of an organization’s activities by the public. In health research, it is not enough for data use to be technically legal; it must also align with the community’s…
Using health data in research promises clear benefits: better patient care, better health system planning, and a deeper understanding of disease and wellbeing. But it also raises concerns – about privacy, commercial motives and equity. The term social licence refers to the ongoing acceptance and approval of an organization’s activities by its stakeholders and the wider community. In…
As we approach the end of the year, we want to take a moment to recognise and thank Professor Ian Smith as he prepares to conclude his tenure as Chair of the PHRN Board on 31 December. Joining our Board in 2017 and stepping into the Chair role in 2020, Ian guided us through one…
We are pleased to announce Professor Nicholas Fisk AM FAHMS FAICD as PHRN’s new Board Chair, beginning January 2026. Outgoing Chair, Professor Ian Smith, who has served on the Board since 2017, is thrilled that Professor Fisk accepted the role of chair. “Professor Fisk brings a perfect blend of clinical expertise, research experience, a deep…
