The newly launched Australian Clinical Trials Initiative (ACTI) promotes Australia internationally as an attractive clinical trials destination. ACTI is a coordinated, national effort to promote the clinical trials sector through global trade missions and streamlined support.
ACTI will encompass 25 events over the next year, taking place across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States, helping Australian firms diversify and build greater access to key international markets. National messaging will be used to promote our competitive advantages globally under Australia’s Nation Brand.
Australia’s involvement in clinical trials has already contributed over $1.4 billion to the national economy and created more than 8,000 jobs. Ranked 9th globally for life sciences research, Australia is uniquely positioned to build a world-class ecosystem that delivers real health outcomes.
Austrade is promoting Australia’s world-class medical infrastructure, strong intellectual property protections expertise, research excellence, and highly skilled workforce. This new initiative is about showcasing our ability to the world and winning new business.
ACTI was officially launched at the AusBiotech 2025 industry conference in Melbourne. The event also saw Austrade and AusBiotech announce the appointment of AusBiotech’s new Head of Global Trade and Partnerships, co-funded by Austrade through its TradeStart network. Through Tradestart, Austrade and AusBiotech will work with Australian life sciences companies, helping them to grow internationally and develop a diverse portfolio of customers around the world.
AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy said "As the peak body representing Australia’s life sciences sector, AusBiotech welcomes the launch of the Australian Clinical Trials Initiative. We have a longstanding partnership with Austrade and look forward to working with them to promote Australia’s world-class clinical trials expertise to the globe.”
ACTI is a $1 million initiative that includes funding from Austrade’s recently announced $50 million Accessing New Markets Initiative (ANMI). ANMI’s purpose is to help Australian businesses respond to an increasing level of global economic uncertainty by building the resilience and diversification of Australia’s export markets, and ACTI is a great example of this work in action.
This new initiative complements other Australian Government investment in the sector, including $32 million to advance national reforms to improve health and medical research. A key reform initiative is the development of a National One Stop Shop (NOSS) for clinical trials. Together, the reforms aim to position Australia as a global leader.
ACTI sees government collaborating with industry for a national goal, bringing together federal agencies, state governments, and national peak industry bodies to promote Australia as a destination of choice for clinical trials.