Health Innovation Observatory
Australia
Building Australia's horizon scanning capability
The Health Innovation Observatory - Australia (HIO-A) will advance national health system readiness by developing a horizon scanning function to identify emerging health technologies through collaboration, education, and research.
About Us
Health systems in Australia and globally continue to struggle to respond promptly to innovative, disruptive health technologies like cell and gene therapies, gene editing, regenerative medicine, genomics, and generative artificial intellligence.
These technologies promise improved health outcomes, efficiency gains and better patient experiences but their rapid development, early information gaps and the lack of a cohesive national approach pose challenges for the Australian health system. Addressing these challenges requires consideration of the specific needs of end users of horizon scanning, which might include, for example, the need for revised or new legal and regulatory frameworks, targeted/prioritise research, workforce training, clinical service planning and infrastructure capability and capacity and sustainable reimbursement.
The HIO-A is a NHMRC funded partnership grant working collaboratively with partners across the health sector to develop a national horizon scanning approach. We aim to influence a shift from reactive assessment, which occurs sporadically and inconsistently across the health sector, to proactive horizon scanning of new and emerging health technologies, resulting in patients accessing new tests and treatment quicker.
Our Partners
Are you interested in becoming a stakeholder or funding partner?
Our Research
The Health Innovation Observatory – Australia (HIO-A) is advancing national horizon scanning through collaborative, AI-enabled research to identify and evaluate emerging health innovations.
Projects
3
Partners
11
Investigators
12
Projects
Establish
Work Package 1
Establish national horizon scanning processes through structured engagement.
Develop
Work Package 2
Develop the methodological and technical backbone of the Australian horizon scanning function.
Governance
Work Package 3
Develop the governance, operational structure, and long-term sustainability plan.
Our People
Meet the multidisciplinary experts driving HIO-A, collaborating across research, policy and healthcare to strengthen national horizon scanning capabilities.