The release of Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Strategy 2026–2036 marks a significant moment for the future of health and medical research. For Animal-Free Science Advocacy (AFSA), it is incredibly encouraging to see non-animal methods (NAMs) formally recognised in a national strategy after years of dedicated campaigning.
Historically, animal use has been so deeply embedded in research that it rarely even merited a mention in national planning. The new National Strategy breaks this silence, referring directly and repeatedly to animals, animal experimentation, and non-animal technologies. This signals that the issue is now firmly on the federal policy agenda.
Shifting from the fringes to the centre
In the National Strategy, NAMs are integrated across discussions on infrastructure, sustainability, advanced therapeutics, and future research capabilities. Crucially, it includes NAMs in its definitions, references CSIRO’s report on non-animal models, and highlights the UK’s National Centre for the 3Rs as an international case study.
While the strategy does not adopt AFSA’s exact submission proposals from last October, its recommendations move decisively in that direction:
- What AFSA called for: A national funding stream for NAMs and a National Centre for Alternatives to Animal Testing.
- What the National Strategy proposes: A National Collaborative Platform for Non-animal Technologies. Formed in partnership with governments, peak bodies and industry, this platform will coordinate capabilities, promote NAMs and provide vital training and advice to the research sector.
As the strategy explicitly states: “Non-animal technologies and methods replace or reduce the use of animals in research. The complexity and capabilities of these technologies now equal or surpass traditional animal-based methodologies and can be more easily domestically produced, reducing dependencies on access to overseas animal models for certain types of research.”
This powerful admission recognises what the science has already proven: NAMs are highly sophisticated, capable and often better suited than animal models to answer complex human health questions. Furthermore, acknowledging that domestic production reduces reliance on overseas animal models shows that the government sees NAMs as a win for Australian sovereign capability. Progress requires systemic support, and the strategy’s focus on infrastructure and training addresses exactly that.
Sustainability and systemic reform
Two other key developments stand out in the new National Strategy:
- Environmental accountability: A proposed action requires research institutions to demonstrate a commitment to environmental sustainability. As the National Strategy notes, traditional animal experimentation faces increasing scrutiny for its environmental impacts. Shifting to modern, non-animal approaches is a win for both ethics and sustainability.
- The infrastructure roadmap: A proposed Health and Medical Research Infrastructure Roadmap will guide future investments. Crucially, it lists NAMs alongside national priorities like biobanks and data linkage—the exact systems-level thinking required to scale NAMs.
These changes beautifully align with the strategy’s broader One Health framing, which acknowledges that human health cannot exist in isolation from animal welfare and environmental sustainability.
Turning strategy into funding
While this recognition is a massive step forward, a strategy is only as good as its implementation. The real test will be securing dedicated funding.
This is the first Australian national strategy to prioritise NAMs. That means that we no longer have to point to other countries leading the way. We can now point to our own national strategy and advocate for funding to support an established health and medical research priority.
The timing is critical. The strategy’s release follows the 2026–27 Federal Budget, which injected an additional $508.5 million into the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), scaling to $1 billion in annual disbursements by 2030–31.
Ahead of the budget, AFSA campaigned for a $5 million MRFF pilot program for NAMs. While the government has yet to announce how the expanded funds will be allocated, the new National Strategy will undoubtedly shape future investment priorities. Opportunities may soon emerge through new initiatives like the proposed Precision Health Research Program.
The road ahead
To everyone who contacted their MP as part of AFSA’s Fund the Future of Science campaign: thank you. Your voices ensured that NAMs are now a permanent part of the national conversation.
Australia now has a historic opportunity to build a research system that is more innovative, ethical and sustainable. AFSA will continue to advocate fiercely for the targeted funding needed to turn this strategic vision into a reality.