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The Australian health and medical industry is distinguished by:
- A high level of R&D expenditure
- Our degree of globalisation - most indigenous products are exported
- Specialised technical skills
- Diverse range of health and medical enterprises
Austrade B2B Health and Medical Portal now open for business
In support of Australian exporters at Medica and other international trade events, Austrade has launched a Health and Medical B2B Portal as a tool to link overseas buyers with qualified Australian health and medical suppliers. The portal allows you, potential customers, distributors or agents to:
- Search for suitable Australian health/medical products and services
- Request online introductions to the Australian companies of your interest
Give your import business a competitive edge:
Visit over 100 impressive profiles of Australian exporters keen to meet new customers and partners today at: www.austradehealth.gov.au/healthportal
For further details, please download the information flyer.
Overview
Over the past decade, Australia’s health and medical industry has grown dramatically in size and reputation. The Australian medical devices industry now employs over 10,000 people in around 1,100 companies. .There are a few large or multinational enterprises, and 60 per cent that employ fewer than 20 people.
Australian innovation in this sector is showcased each year at key international events like Medica Germany, Arab Health, HOSPIMedica Asia, BIO USA, HIMSS USA and HIMSS Asia-Pacific.
The key growth areas are:
- Medical and surgical equipment and devices
- Health IT
- Health infrastructure and services
- Clinical trials
Medical and surgical equipment and devices
Key areas:
- Imaging/monitoring equipment
- Biomedical devices and implants
- Surgical equipment, general hospital supplies
- Diagnostic devices
- Laboratory equipment
- Dental equipment
- Health-related software
- Drug delivery
Medical devices in Australia are regulated by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA uses a risk-based approach to assess devices before they are entered onto the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods.
The medical device industry is supported by Australia's entrepreneurial and globally competitive Precision Engineering Industry (PEI) which has critical links to Australia's automotive industry. The PEI researches, designs, develops, manufactures and verifies high-accuracy components, high-precision machines and systems. PEI enterprise is practised in a variety of technical areas, from engineering – mechanical, electrical, optical, and industrial to medical devices, ergonomics, human support technology, materials science, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science.
Health IT
Key areas:
- Health messaging
- Electronic health record
- Hospital management and patient administration systems
- Telehealth
- Clinical information systems, eg. pharmacy, pathology
- Asset management and supply chain management
- Health payment solutions
The health information technology and informatics field is a rapidly expanding sector both in Australia and internationally. Australia’s large geographic size has driven advancement in technology for delivering health services across diverse areas making Australia a global leader in areas such as health messaging and electronic health record architecture.
Hospital spending on health IT initiatives also drives the industry and innovative technologies have emerged in electronic information sharing with general practice and specialised physicians, community, mental health and aged care providers.
Health infrastructure and services
Key areas:
- Specialist and alternative health services such as acupuncture, homoeopathy and naturopathy
- Hospital and health facilities design, architecture and interiors
- Health consultancies, particularly in developing economies
- Telehealth services such as teleradiology or outsourced back office support
Clinical trials
Australia is internationally recognised for its work in niche areas of the pre-clinical phase, such as ICN Firefly, and emerging strengths in biomedicine clinical trials. Twenty-four firms are involved in Phase I trials in Australia. Phase II trials, including early innovative drug trials, are taking place, with some company capabilities confirmed by US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) accreditation.
An interesting example of clinical trials in Australia is Vision CRC’s ocular treatments using antibacterial coatings on contact lenses. These new coatings were the product of biodiscovery. The Royal Children’s Hospital and the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute are also undertaking paediatric trials.
For more information please visit:
www.ausbiotech.org – AusBiotech
www.health.gov.au – Australian Department of Health and Ageing
www.aushealthcare.com.au – Australian Healthcare Association
www.ahia.org.au – Australian Health Insurance Association
www.health-e-directory.com.au – Chik Services Health-e-Directory Australia Online
www.hic.gov.au – Health Insurance Commission
www.medibank.com.au – Medibank Private
www.tga.gov.au/devices/devices.htm – Medical Devices homepage
www.miaa.org.au – Medical Industry Association of Australia
www.medicinesaustralia.com.au – Medicines Australia
www.tga.gov.au/docs/html/regct.htm – Regulation of clinical trials in Australia
www.tga.gov.au – Therapeutic Goods Administration
(Last updated: 19 Aug 2007) |