AusBiotech, the national industry body for biotechnology, stated that the draft strategy marks a crucial step in fostering Australia’s world-leading scientific discoveries and ensuring they can be translated and commercialised into global health innovations. The organisation has been actively engaged with the strategy’s Chair, Rosemary Huxtable AO PSM, and her departmental colleagues during development, and is continuing to consult its 3,000-strong membership.
AusBiotech CEO Rebekah Cassidy said a strong health and medical research sector is the foundation for the success of Australia’s life sciences industry. “For our sector to thrive, it needs a coordinated and well-invested research sector. Without research, there is no pipeline of health innovation, no pipeline of companies, and no ecosystem to sustain them,” she said.
Australia’s life sciences industry already comprises nearly 2,900 organisations and supports one in every 60 jobs. Cassidy said the ambition is to see those numbers grow, underpinned by world-class research with global reach. AusBiotech welcomed the draft strategy’s focus on research translation, commercialisation, and clinical trials. It also highlighted the importance of strengthening sovereign manufacturing, streamlining regulatory pathways, and incentivising local procurement to build supply chain resilience.
“There is a race for innovation globally,” Cassidy said. “Especially in health, countries are taking active steps to grow their biotechnology and medical technology industries, to improve wellbeing, while strengthening both economic resilience and health security. Now is the time for Australia to similarly invest, across the entire health innovation pipeline.”
She warned that without urgent action, Australian discoveries and companies on the cusp of commercialisation risk being snapped up by countries more willing to invest. “We are currently leaving enormous opportunities on the table, including benefits to the health and well-being of our people, our economy and our health security.”
Throughout 2025, AusBiotech has advocated for a unified, whole-of-government approach to the life sciences sector. The industry body has advocated for the development of Australia’s first National Life Sciences Strategy to establish priorities and address policy gaps. It has called for the creation of an Australian Life Sciences Council to drive implementation and strengthen industry–government collaboration, as well as investment in data collection and analysis to drive innovation and improve policy decisions.
AusBiotech stated that it will continue to work closely with the government and its member network throughout the consultation process and beyond, and looks forward to a final strategy that positions Australia to compete on the world stage.