The Australian Health Research Alliance is the voice of 12 National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) accredited Research Translation Centres and two Emerging Research Translation Centres (Centres). Each Centre is a partnership of health services, local hospitals and primary care organisations connected to research centres and universities to address locally determined health priorities. 

AHRA provides a forum for the Centres to collaborate on matters of national relevance for research translation. For more information about AHRA, please visit the AHRA website.

Active engagement of diverse stakeholders in understanding and solving complex problems to design, implement, monitor and evaluate relevant solutions together. Active involvement of consumers and communities in setting research priorities.

People with lived experience of a health condition or the health system, including patients, potential patients, carers, family, friends, and users of healthcare services. Collectively, they may be referred to as “the public”.

Someone who speaks on behalf of consumers. They may be nominated by a consumer organisation and could be accountable to it. Depending on their role, they might represent the views of a specific group or a broader community.

Consumer representatives are often trained or supported to effectively advocate for the needs and interests of the community they represent.

Health and medical research is the systematic collection and analysis of information to better understand health issues or questions. It aims to advance knowledge about human health, improve healthcare practices and policies, and ultimately enhance health outcomes for individuals and communities.

Ongoing efforts to make health services safer, more effective, efficient, and responsive to people’s needs. It involves identifying problems in the health system, testing solutions, and using data and feedback to guide changes that lead to better outcomes for patients and communities.

Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare

A voluntary payment given as a token of appreciation, not as wages or salary.

Tax: Not taxable if unrelated to your profession or business. May be taxable if linked to your professional services. Visit the Australian Tax Office website for details.

Centrelink: Must be reported as income. May affect your Centrelink payments. Visit the Services Australia website for more details.

Repayment of out-of-pocket expenses incurred while participating in an activity. Common reimbursable costs include travel, parking, meals, and accommodation. These payments are not considered income if they simply cover actual costs.

Any person, group, or organisation with a vested interest in the decisions or activities of a project or organisation. This includes:

• Consumers and community members
• Consumer advocacy groups
• Professional bodies
• Government and non-government agencies
• Healthcare providers
• Industry representatives
• Research organisations and funders

Stakeholders may offer support, expertise, or influence decisions and outcomes.