11 May 2026
Revised Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Consumers Health Forum of Australia (CHF) have jointly released a revised Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research.
The Statement provides national guidance on why consumer and community involvement matters in health and medical research, and what meaningful involvement looks like in practice. It reflects the growing recognition across the sector that research is stronger, more relevant and more ethical when it is shaped with consumers and communities, not just for them.
About the revised Statement
The revised Statement builds on earlier versions first released in 2002 and updated in 2006 and 2016. Since that time, expectations around consumer and community involvement have continued to grow across Australia’s health and research systems.
This version takes a principles‑based approach. It focuses on shared values such as inclusion, respect for lived experience, trust, equity, safety, and transparent communication, and how these values can be put into practice by everyone involved in research.
The Statement was developed with input from consumers, communities, researchers and organisations across the sector. Public consultations were held between 2022 and 2025, with more than a thousand people contributing through workshops and written submissions.
Using the Statement
The Statement is intended to be used by:
Consumers, community members and people with lived experience who want to understand how they can be involved in research and what support to expect
Consumer and community organisations that connect lived experience with research
Researchers, research institutions and research funders seeking to embed consumer and community involvement across all stages of research
It is supported by a companion Support and Resources document that brings together practical guidance, tools and case studies from across the sector to support implementation over time.
Access the Statement and supporting resources
Read the Statement on Consumer and Community Involvement in Health and Medical Research
Access the Support and Resources document
If you have questions about the Statement, or would like to share feedback, please email info@chf.org.au. CHF will share questions with NHMRC for response.
CHF has not received funding for work related to the development or release of this Statement.
