Co-hosted by ARCS Australia and Macquarie University
2 September 2025 | Macquarie University, Sydney | Invitation Only

ARCS Australia and Macquarie University have joined forces to deliver the inaugural Clinical Research Workforce Capability and Capacity Summit, to be held on 2 September 2025 at Macquarie University’s Wallumattagal Campus in Sydney.

This invitation-only national event responds to a pressing challenge: ensuring Australia has the workforce needed to support a world-class clinical research environment. As global demand for clinical trial activity continues to grow, Australia faces increasing pressure to maintain and scale its clinical research capacity. From site staff and study coordinators to project managers and regulatory professionals, the demand for skilled professionals across the lifecycle of clinical research has never been greater.

The Summit will bring together senior representatives from across the ecosystem—government, academia, industry, public and private health services, and education and training providers—to explore long-term, cross-sector strategies to address workforce capability and pipeline development. Discussions will focus on critical enablers such as:

• Strengthening clinical research career pathways and entry points

• Supporting site readiness and workforce retention

• Aligning education and training with real-world workforce needs

• Enhancing collaboration between sectors to scale workforce solutions

ARCS CEO Dr Tim Boyle said the initiative is a natural extension of ARCS’ ongoing commitment to workforce development and system-wide capability building:

“Clinical research is the engine room of Australia’s life sciences sector, much of which is sustained by inbound clinical trials. Yet across the country, we’re seeing critical workforce shortages and capability gaps that threaten our ability to remain competitive and meet both current and future demand.”

“These capacity issues have a flow-on effect that disrupts the broader ecosystem and directly impact every aspect of the development and commercialisation of therapeutic products within the sector. This Summit is about bringing together those who can shape change—from industry and research institutions to government and education.”

Macquarie University brings deep expertise in applied research, clinical partnerships, and interdisciplinary training, making it a strong partner in hosting this collaborative national effort.

With limited capacity and curated attendance, this Summit will prioritise diverse perspectives and sector-wide insight to help chart a course for a resilient, future-ready clinical research workforce in Australia.