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Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Murdoch Children’s Research Institute improves the lives of millions of children each year. They research health conditions including diabetes, allergies, asthma, premature birth and mental health problems, which are on the rise in our children, along with conditions including cancer and genetic disorders that remain unsolved.

Vision and mission

Their purpose is to give all children the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilled life. They believe that for every question there's an answer and for every childhood illness there must be a way to prevent or cure it. They spend their days searching for answers to problems because they have one shared goal — to make discoveries that transform child health.

How Murdoch Children’s Research Institute can help

Their work spans five major research areas: genomics; stem cell medicine; population health; infection, immunity and global health; and clinical translation. They study the health of communities and what factors influence child health and research common infections and immune conditions, locally and overseas. They offer genetic testing to find answers for undiagnosed conditions, using the latest genetic sequencing technology. They conduct national newborn screening and allow children to access personalised treatments for conditions like cancer.

Information lines / help lines

  • Call: (03) 8341 6200 7 days a week, 9am to 4pm AEST

Resources, apps and tools

  • HeadCheck app: a free app for anybody who has experienced a head knock. Headcheck helps coaches, first aiders, teachers, carers and families to identify signs and symptoms of a concussion, and provides guidance through recovery.
  • Childrens Wellbeing Continuum: an evidence-based tool developed to support conversations around children’s wellbeing.
  • Sleep with Kip: a series of books and collection of free resources (including an e-book, sleep quiz, evidence-based sleep strategies and podcast episodes) that help families tackle common childhood sleep challenges, including helping kids get to sleep unaided, self-settle in the night and preventing early rising.
  • Raisingchildren.net.au provides free, reliable and up-to-date information for parents, carers and professionals in Australia, to help families grow and stay healthy. Created by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute and Parenting Research Centre, it draws on the knowledge of over 400 child health and development experts.
    • Matterworks is a digital health studio that creates entertaining educational content for children, teens and families. They have produced a range of resources powered by research from MCRI.

Recommended links

This information was originally published on healthdirect - Murdoch Children’s Research Institute.

Last reviewed: July 2025

Information from this partner

Found 16 results

Anaphylaxis and how we diagnos... - Allergies- Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

Our own bodies act against us during an allergic reaction but what actually happens? Anaphylaxis can be fatal, diagnosing is the first step to a better quality

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Asthma, eczema and hay-fever - Allergies- Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

Why do some people develop asthma, eczema and hay-fever and are there preventative steps in early-childhood to stop the development of these allergic? Professor

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Can you cure an allergy? - Allergies- Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

There have been some amazing studies to help improve the lives of people suffering allergies, but how close are we to finding a cure? The Murdoch Children’s Res

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Getting Toddlers to sleep - Sleep - Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

Toddlers brains are taking in so much information during the day, does lack of sleep affect their development? Consultant Paediatrician - Professor Harriet Hisc

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Gut allergies and delayed reac... - Allergies- Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

Are delayed reactions just as important as immediate ones? Professor’s Katie Allen and Mimi Tang from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute look into the di

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Highschool stress and sleep in... - Sleep - Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

Hormones, growth spurts, socialising, stress from school and other factors impact a teenager’s sleep. Consultant Paediatrician - Professor Harriet Hiscock and A

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Intolerances and our gut healt... - Allergies- Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

Are genetics linked to our food intolerances? Our gut health is developed within the first 3 years of life, Professor’s Katie Allen and Mimi Tang from the Murdo

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Managing allergies in the comm... - Allergies- Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

How do we cope with our children suffering allergies? Professor’s Katie Allen and Mimi Tang have developed an easy to use management app in association with the

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Managing behavioural sleep pro... - Sleep - Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

What can other behavioural sleep problems tell us about our children? Consultant Paediatrician - Professor Harriet Hiscock and Associate Professor of psychology

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

Managing sleep practices in ba... - Sleep - Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) - Apple Podcasts

Your baby finally has a solid nights’ sleep. But how do you maintain these healthy sleep cycles? Consultant Paediatrician - Professor Harriet Hiscock and Associ

Read more on Murdoch Children's Research Institute website

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