Celebrating National Science Week: research as a catalyst for regional growth

How clinical trials are driving change in rural, regional and remote NSW and the ACT.

National Science Week celebrates scientific discovery and innovation. In 2025, it’s also a reminder that science isn’t confined to labs and lecture halls – it’s transforming lives in rural, regional and remote communities across NSW and ACT.  

Through the Rural, Regional and Remote Clinical Trial Enabling Program, NSW Health and the ACT Government – supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Medical Research Future Fund – are improving access to clinical trials and new treatments for patients outside metropolitan areas of NSW and the ACT.   

Discover how the program is creating better health outcomes for local communities: 

Attracting talent and research expertise 

• The program upskills the local workforce and attracts clinical trial specialists, clinicians and research organisations to rural, regional and remote communities. 

• This expansion in expertise boosts local healthcare capacity and encourages early-career researchers to pursue their careers in these areas. 

Stimulating local businesses 

• Clinical trials increase demand for services such as accommodation, catering, transport and medical devices or equipment – driving revenue for local businesses.  

Building infrastructure 

• Investments in digital connectivity, telehealth platforms and local clinical trial units enhance both research capacity and overall healthcare delivery. 

• These improvements make regional communities more attractive for research organisations and sponsors for future investment. 

Long term economic diversification 

• Science-driven initiatives diversify local economies and supplement traditional industries like agriculture and mining to support local economies. 

• Communities that embrace clinical trials become innovation hubs, attracting further investment in biotech, medtech and education. 

 National Science Week highlights the importance of making science accessible no matter what your postcode. By integrating trials into routine healthcare, the Rural, regional and Remote Clinical Trial Enabling Program is creating career opportunities for researchers.  

“We’re investing in the next generation of clinical researchers outside major cities,” said Danielle Somers, Director Research Methods from the NSW Office for Health and Medical Research.