Health & Life Sciences

WA Health and Life Sciences Sector

The Health and Life Sciences sector is estimated to have generated $3.1 billion for the Greater Perth economy in 2018/19 (REMPLAN 2020). Western Australia has a burgeoning health and medical innovation sector with a history of expertise in trending areas of the field including;

• Medical research
• New gene technologies
• Phenomics
• Medical technology
• Long-term population health studies
• Data linkage and digital health solutions

WA Health and Life Science Professionals

Perth has a long-standing history of medical life sciences excellence. Some of the world’s most renowned health and life sciences success stories have occurred in Perth, including: 

Nobel Laureates Barry Marshall and Robin Warren with their discovery of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori and its role in gastritis and peptic ulcer disease.

Professor Fiona Wood who pioneered research and technology development in burns medicine, including ‘spray-on-skin’ for the treatment of burns victims, which greatly reduces permanent scarring.

Professor Martyn French who has supervised and contributed to national and international clinical trials of therapies for HIV infection, disease cause by HIV infection, immunology of the HIV disease and primary antibody deficiency disorders.

Recently completed and upcoming developments include:

Perth Children's Hospital
New Telethon Kids Institute
Murdoch Health & Knowledge Precinct 
Pawsey Supercomputing Centre
Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research
Ralph and Patricia Sarich Neuroscience Research Institute
Health in a Virtual Environment
Queen Elizabeth II Masterplan

Collaboration cultivates commercialisation

Located within the City of Perth, the Queen Elizabeth II Medical Centre is the largest medical centre in the southern hemisphere, hosting globally recognised medical, research and education tenants. The Royal Perth Hospital Research Foundation is another major medical research foundation within the CBD that has operated for almost four decades. 

Beyond the Perth CBD, there are a range of organisations operating independently or within identified clusters which include world-class universities, research institutes and medical foundations. The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University are all affiliated science-based institutes.

This blend of collaboration and innovation clusters has led to the development of Perth’s unique medical life sciences start-up scene.

Perth’s Health and Life Sciences sector brings with it a unique advantage, as the gateway to Asia and is situated in the world’s most populous time zone, shared with approximately 60% of the world’s population. Perth has several different pathways for start-ups to commercialise medical concepts and research. The following are supporting innovation and translation:

Accelerating Australia
Centre for Entrepreneurial Research and Innovation
Curtin Ignition
Perth Biodesign
AusBiotech
Life Sciences WA
WA Health Translation Network
MTPConnect WA Life Science Innovation Hub

The burgeoning life sciences sector in Perth can unlock reinvestment for eligible companies through the Research & Development Tax Incentives, where 43.5% of R&D costs will be reimbursed in cash to eligible companies. Check to see if you’re eligible through the Australian Taxation Office.

Leveraging ‘World Standard Research’

Perth’s high-performing universities all provide avenues to leverage their research outputs to benefit your product, idea or research development. Universities in Perth are partnered with several different science-based initiatives to leverage their world-standard research capabilities. Below is a list of unique facilities to Perth, categorised by affiliated institution.

University of Western Australia

Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research
UWA Research Development and Innovation

Curtin University

Innovation Central Perth
Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute (CHIRI)

Murdoch University

Australian National Phenome Centre
Centre for Molecular Medicine and Innovative Therapeutics
Gene Core Research Facility
Centre for Computational and Systems Medicine

Edith Cowan University

Exercise Medicine Research Institute
Centre of Excellence for Alzheimer's Disease Research and Care

The unprecedented levels of public and private investment have fuelled dramatic changes in Perth and there is no better time to establish or relocate your business here.

If you would like to find out more about how the City of Perth can assist you and your business, please contact us.

The Economic Development Team can provide the following services:

• Guidance – Informing prospective operators about Perth.
• Investment facilitation - Assisting investors to find suitable products in Perth.
• A coordinated approach – Assisting prospective operators to navigate their way through government and guidance for the approvals process.
• Making connections – Facilitating introductions to industry leads.
• Funding – Grants and sponsorships are available.
• Contact the City of Perth to make enquiries: ecodev@cityofperth.wa.gov.au