Research

During 2023–24, an estimated $7.6 billion was spent on health and medical research. Of this total:

  • the Australian Government contributed $5.9 billion (77.2%)
  • state and territory governments contributed $1.2 billion (15.4%)
  • non-government sector contributed $0.6 billion (7.4%) (Figure 30). 

In real terms, spending on research decreased by $0.1 billion (1.4%) compared to 2022–23. Over the decade, the average annual real growth rate in research spending was 1.4%.

Figure 30: Research spending, by source of funds, constant prices (a), 2013–14 to 2023–24

The line graph shows research spending over the decade to 2023–24 by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and non-government sources. Australian Government spending on research was consistently higher than that of state and territory governments, which in turn exceeded non-government spending. Although Australian Government spending fluctuated, it increased overall from $5.6 billion in 2013–14 to $5.9 billion in 2023–24. State and territory government research spending rose steadily from $0.6 billion in 2013–14 to $1.2 billion in 2023–24. Non-government spending remained relatively flat throughout the decade, reaching approximately $0.6 billion in 2023–24.

The line graph shows research spending over the decade to 2023–24 by the Australian Government, state and territory governments, and non-government sources. Australian Government spending on research was consistently higher than that of state and territory governments, which in turn exceeded non-government spending. Although Australian Government spending fluctuated, it increased overall from $5.6 billion in 2013–14 to $5.9 billion in 2023–24. State and territory government research spending rose steadily from $0.6 billion in 2013–14 to $1.2 billion in 2023–24. Non-government spending remained relatively flat throughout the decade, reaching approximately $0.6 billion in 2023–24.

⁽ᵃ⁾ Constant price health spending is in 2023–24 prices.

Notes:

  1. Non-government spending comprises individual and other non-government spending only.
  2. There was no spending by private health insurance providers on research.

Source: AIHW Health Expenditure Database (Table 35).

Previous page
Next page