Australia’s healthcare system is under increasing pressure to deliver better outcomes, improve efficiency, and ensure equitable access to care. Despite significant investment in research, education and innovation, the translation of evidence into practice can be slow and inconsistent.
‘We know what works. Care that is evidence-informed, patient-centred, and delivered by a skilled, connected workforce. Value-based health care provides the framework to achieve this by focusing on outcomes that matter to patients and ensuring resources are used efficiently. But without the right infrastructure to bring research, education and clinical practice together, we’re missing the opportunity to deliver real system change,’ said Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association Limited (AHHA) Chief Executive Officer, Tony Farley.
Released today by AHHA Ltd’s Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research, the Perspectives Brief, The role of Health, Research and Education Precincts in establishing local learning health systems and achieving value-based health care, co-authored by 2025 Deeble Scholar Mr Simon Radmore and AHHA’s Executive Director for Knowledge Exchange, Adj AProf Rebecca Haddock, outlines how Health, Research and Education Precincts (HREPs) can help address this challenge.
HREPs are collaborative, co-located environments where clinicians, researchers, educators and policymakers work together to accelerate innovation, embed learning into care delivery, and improve health outcomes. Co-location is central to their success, as it enables spontaneous collaboration, swift translation of research into practice, and the development of integrated, place-based models of care.
‘By aligning health, research and education under a shared vision, HREPs can drive a transformative shift in workplace culture,’ said Mr Farley. ‘They foster environments where staff are empowered to ask questions and innovate with purpose. In these environments, ideas flow freely, and innovation is not only encouraged but expected. The result is a more skilled, connected and future-ready workforce delivering safer, more efficient value-based care.’
The Brief identifies key barriers to HREP development, including the absence of a nationally consistent definition, fragmented investment, and competing governance frameworks.
‘Australia has world-class research and clinical expertise, but without a coordinated approach, we risk missing the opportunity to embed value-based health care at scale,’ said Mr Farley.
‘This Brief provides a clear roadmap for policymakers to support integrated, high-performing health precincts that deliver better care for all Australians.’
