Research Australia, in collaboration with the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University (ANU), has launched Australia’s first national recognition framework to support the consistent and equitable recognition of consumer contributions to health and medical research. The framework includes guidance on remuneration as well as non-financial forms of recognition.
As the national peak body for Australians living with a rare disease, Rare Voices Australia (RVA) welcomes the release of the national recognition framework. Additionally, we congratulate Research Australia, ANU, and the consumers and researchers who contributed to its development.
RVA encourages researchers, institutions and consumer organisations to read and apply this framework to ensure greater consistency, equity and diversity of consumer involvement in research moving forward.
Research Australia webinar
Research Australia is hosting a member-exclusive webinar to delve deeper into the framework and the broader topic of consumer recognition in health and medical research alongside Associate Professor Jane Desborough from the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health at the Australian National University. The webinar will be held on 22 April 2026 between 1:00-2:00pm. Learn more and register via Eventbrite.
Why is the national recognition framework important?
There has long been a need for greater consistency in how consumers are involved, supported, and acknowledged in health and medical research, as well as clearer guidance for researchers on meaningful consumer engagement and recognition. While funding bodies such as the National Health and Medical Research Council and the Medical Research Future Fund increasingly require demonstrated consumer involvement across the research lifecycle, approaches to recognition and remuneration remain variable.
Differences across states, institutions, universities, and research groups have created uncertainty for researchers and inconsistency for consumers. This lack of clarity risks reinforcing inequity, limiting participation to consumers with the time and financial means to contribute, and reducing the diversity and representativeness of consumer voices in research.
What’s included in the national recognition framework?
The co-designed national recognition framework provides timely, practical guidance to address the challenges outlined above. It includes seven recommendations to support national implementation:
- Recognise consumer expertise as a valued contribution to research.
- Establish national guidelines outlining financial and non-financial recognition practices.
- Promote national consistency through shared standards and regular review.
- Encourage funding bodies to allocate dedicated remuneration budgets.
- Support organisational capacity with toolkits, policies, and training.
- Streamline payment processes to reduce administrative burden.
- Advance equity by removing barriers for underrepresented groups.
