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NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) is Australia's peak body for supporting health and medical research; for developing health advice for the Australian community, health professionals and governments; and for providing advice on ethical behaviour in health care and in the conduct of health and medical research.

As the nation’s leading expert body in health and medical research, the NHMRC set high standards of integrity and scientific rigour, and champion the pursuit of better health outcomes for all Australians.

The NHMRC brings together within a single national organisation the functions of research funding and development of advice. It draws upon the resources of all components of the health system, including governments, medical practitioners, nurses and allied health professionals, researchers, teaching and research institutions, public and private program managers, service administrators, community health organisations, social health researchers and consumers.

Vision and mission

Building pathways to a healthier future through research funding, health guidelines and ethical standards.

The mission statement of the NHMRC is 'Building a healthy Australia'.

How the NHMRC can help

NHMRC has a statutory responsibility under the NHMRC Act 1992 (the Act) to raise the standard of individual and public health throughout Australia and foster the development of consistent health standards between the various states and territories. They advise the community on matters relating to:

  • the improvement of health
  • the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease
  • the provision of health care
  • public health research and medical research
  • ethical issues relating to health.

Information / help lines

  • Call +61 (02) 6217 9000, Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm (AEST).

Recommended links

This information was originally published on healthdirect - NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council.

Last reviewed: February 2023

Information from this partner

Found 33 results

Healthy Eating for Infants, Children and Teenagers | Eat For Health

To achieve and maintain a healthy weight be physically active and choose amounts of nutritious food and drinks to meet your energy needs.

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Health effects of water fluoridation | NHMRC

Community water fluoridation is the adjustment of fluoride in drinking water to reach a level that can help to reduce tooth decay.

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Ethical guidelines for Assisted Reproductive Technology | NHMRC

Public consultation on Mitochondrial Donation Supplementary Section The Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve's Law) Act 2022 came into effect on 2 October 2022 and amended the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 (RIHE Act) and the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 (PHCR Act) to facilitate the staged introduction of mitochondrial donation into Australian clinical IVF practice.

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Vitamin K for newborns | NHMRC

Vitamin K helps blood to clot and is essential in preventing serious bleeding in infants. Vitamin K deficiency bleeding can be prevented by the administration of vitamin K soon after birth. By the age of approximately six months, infants have built up their own supply of vitamin K.

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Healthy meal and snack ideas | Eat For Health

Breakfast Try fruit or vegetable pikelets. Fruit toppers or a thin spread of unsaturated margarine or unsalted nut paste on wholegrain pikelets, wholegrain English muffins, toast or crumpets too. Vegetables fresh sliced or cooked such as tomatoes/onions/mushrooms/corn/zucchini; these are also great on wholegrain toast or English muffins. Wholegrain cereal, porridge or untoasted muesli with low fat milk or yogurt and fruit. Main meals

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Tips for eating well | Eat For Health

The recommendations in the Australian dietary guidelines and Australian guide to healthy eating help us choose foods for good health and to reduce our risk of chronic health problems.

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Australian guide to healthy eating | Eat For Health

The Australian guide to healthy eating is a food selection guide which visually represents the proportion of the five food groups recommended for consumption each day.

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Fat, salt, sugars and alcohol | Eat For Health

Guideline 3 recommends we limit intake of foods containing saturated fat, added salt, added sugars and alcohol

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Serve sizes | Eat For Health

What is a serve of vegetables? A standard serve is about 75g (100–350kJ) or:

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

Milk, yoghurt, cheese and / or their alternatives ( mostly reduced fat ) | Eat For Health

Low or reduced fat milk, yoghurt and cheese choices are recommended for most people two years and over. Most Australians consume only about half the recommended quantity of milk products or alternatives, but eat too many full fat varieties, which can increase the kilojoules and the saturated fat content of the diet. Reduced fat varieties of milks are not suitable as a milk drink for children under the age of two due to their high energy needs required for growth. For nearly everyone else (over the age of two) this is the best choice.

Read more on NHMRC – National Health and Medical Research Council website

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Healthdirect Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and to Elders both past and present.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.