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Queensland’s clinical trials play a central role in connecting local communities to global medical innovation. Queensland is positioning itself as a leader in the development and delivery of next generation healthcare, strengthening workforce capability, attracting industry partnerships and expanding access to emerging treatments.

Clinical trials: where tomorrow’s treatments become today’s care

Clinical trials are essential to develop new medicines, vaccines and diagnostic technologies to treat, prevent or diagnose diseases. Clinical trial centres play a critical role for participants to access new treatments under development, new services and new models of care. They also create jobs and build the skills and capabilities of the state’s clinical trial workforce while advancing Queensland’s global reputation as a leader in clinical trials.

Integrating research into everyday healthcare

At Health Hub Morayfield, the University of the Sunshine Coast (UniSC) operates a purpose-built clinical trials facility located within a primary and urgent care medical centre. This co-location model is designed to bridge research and healthcare. By integrating research into everyday healthcare environments, Queensland is reducing participation barriers such as travel distance, limited trial availability and metropolitan-centric access to ensure more people can benefit from innovative treatment options closer to home.

Connecting community, clinicians and industry to test new treatments

UniSC’s clinically led trial program brings together community, healthcare professionals and industry to test new medicines and medical technologies prior to regulatory approval and market entry.

The program supports trials across a wide range of medical conditions, helping Queensland contribute to global research pipelines while giving local patients early access to emerging therapies.

This collaborative approach provides the community with the opportunity to take a more active role in health care. It also advances scientific understanding and builds Queensland’s clinical trial workforce cementing Queensland’s reputation as a trusted partner for high quality clinical research.

Why Queensland is ready for growth

Queensland’s clinical trial advantage is built on a strong foundation:

• A mature, capable and multidisciplinary workforce supported by public and private healthcare systems.
• World-class university pathways producing graduates in nursing, biotechnology, life sciences and clinical research.
• Specialist clinical trial expertise including clinical investigators, clinical research nurses, study coordinators, bioanalytical service providers, allied health professionals and technical support staff.

UniSC further enhances this capability through training in clinical trial design and delivery, along with onsite practical development for clinicians and professional staff. This ensures trials are conducted efficiently, effectively and to the highest international standards, reinforcing Queensland’s global appeal as a destination for clinical trials and research.

Collaboration that builds capability over time

The Morayfield facility is the result of long term collaboration across Queensland’s innovation ecosystem.

Lucas Litewka, Director of Clinical Trials at UniSC, highlights the early vision of local clinician Dr Evan Jones, whose leadership helped bring trial infrastructure to the Moreton Bay region. This foundation was strengthened by years of partnership with local health professionals.

UniSC’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Ross Young, acknowledges a longstanding partnership with the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning to maximise community benefit, workforce development and investment attraction.

From local centres to global opportunity

Clinical trials operate within a globally connected sector, where new opportunities often emerge through international partnerships, investor networks and industry forums.

For Queensland, this global engagement is essential. It increases visibility, strengthens international relationships and builds pathways that connect local clinical capability with global research, helping to grow the sector and attract more clinical trials to the state.

What this means for Queensland

Through its clinical trial footprint and strong government, industry and university partnerships, Queensland is enhancing its ability to:

• expand access to trial participation beyond major metropolitan centres
• develop new treatments, vaccines and diagnostics in collaboration with industry and community
• build workforce capability through tailored education and practical training
• connect local research teams to global collaboration and investment opportunities.

These strengths collectively reinforce Queensland’s impact globally in the biomedical sector.

Queensland’s capability is creating real impact

By embedding clinical trial centres in communities and linking them through statewide, national and global networks, Queensland is delivering:

• better healthcare outcomes
• stronger industry growth
• more opportunities for Queenslanders to participate in research shaping the future of healthcare.

Learn more about Queensland’s biomedical capability and collaborative opportunities.

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