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Improving the health of vulnerable communities and changing lives is at the heart of what we do and who we are.
Burnet Institute is an Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, independent organisation that combines medical research with practical action to address health issues globally.
Our point of difference is our technical breadth – from laboratory-based discoveries to field research, and commercialisation to development programs, we are working towards better health for all people.
The Burnet 2030 Strategy focuses on growing our impact, placing equity at the centre of what we do, and paying close attention to the effects of a rapidly changing climate and environment.
Burnet 2030 places interdisciplinary thematic health programs at the heart of our daily decision-making. Our refined program structure builds on our technical breadth to maximise our impact on three key programs: Disease Elimination, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness and Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health.
View our Organisational Structure (Chart).
Burnet brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 400 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues.
Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures, drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues to achieve greater impact.
Our headquarters is based in Melbourne, Australia, with other offices in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar. We contribute to activities across a range of Asian, Pacific and African countries. Take a look here.
Burnet Institute has attracted a world-class leadership team featuring internationally-renowned scientists and researchers, headed by Director and CEO Professor Brendan Crabb AC, an award-winning malaria researcher.
Supported by a dynamic Board chaired by Ms Mary Padbury, Burnet’s leadership team values excellence, innovation and social justice, and shares a desire to extend the boundaries of knowledge and understanding.
Find out more about our Leadership Team.
From the earliest days at Fairfield Hospital to the latest laboratory breakthrough, read about Burnet’s rich history in our 30th Anniversary edition of IMPACT.
Burnet Institute is named in honour of Sir Macfarlane Burnet OM, AK, KBE who received the Nobel Prize for Medicine in 1960. Sir Macfarlane, one of Australia’s most distinguished virologists and immunologists, is honoured each year when an outstanding international or Australian scientist delivers the Burnet Oration.
We are the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Macfarlane Burnet Institute for Medical Research and Public Health Limited is a signatory to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability and financial management.
Burnet Institute is an independent medical research institute and like other medical research institutes in Victoria, receives competitive funding support for its research programs from many sources including the National Health and Medical Research Council, Medical Research Future Fund, Operational Infrastructure Support Scheme of the State Government of Victoria, Victorian Medical Research Accelerator Fund, as well as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, philanthropic support from the Australian community, and various national and international Trusts and Foundations.
Burnet Institute welcomes feedback from our stakeholders to improve the quality of our work, improve efficiency and if necessary, to take remedial action to address issues raised.
Burnet Institute takes all complaints seriously and will handle these in a timely and sensitive manner protecting the privacy of stakeholders.
Burnet Institute’s complaint-handling policy is available for download.
Complaints should be made by contacting Burnet Institute’s Head of Public Affairs by calling +61 3 9282 2111, emailing [email protected] or in writing to Chief of Staff, Burnet Institute, GPO Box 2284 Melbourne 3001.
Burnet Institute is a member of the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and should you feel your complaint has not been completely satisfied then you can contact ACFID at: Private Bag 3, Deakin, ACT, 2600 or by calling +61 2 6285 1816, or emailing [email protected]
Director and CEO; Co-Head Malaria Research Laboratory; Chair, Victorian Chapter of the Association of Australian Medical Research Institutes (AAMRI)
To create and translate knowledge into better health, so no-one is left behind.
85 Commercial Road, Melbourne
VIC, 3004, Australia
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Burnet Institute (Australia) is located on the traditional land of the Boon Wurrung people and we offer our respects to their Elders past and present.
We recognise and respect the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this land.
