New South Wales (NSW) is the lead provider of clinical trials in Australia. Sydney is home to the world-class NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre and The George Institute (previously the Institute for International Health). These Centres manage international, multi-centre trials activity, especially in the fields of cardiovascular disease, cancer and injury.

Two of the world’s largest clinical research organisations, Covance and Quintiles, have their Australian bases in Sydney. A number of local companies, including Novotech, Datapharm and ICP Firefly are conducting research, preclinical and clinical trials for local and international clients.

Clinical trial projects are well supported by excellent teaching hospitals, qualified specialists and clinical research organisations, and are far more cost-effective than those in the US and European locations.

Outside the metropolitan areas, clinical research foci exist in Lismore (Northern Rivers Health Service, in conjunction with Southern Cross University and The University of Sydney), Broken Hill (Far West Health Service and The University of Sydney) and Moree (The University of Sydney).