Become a member

Membership benefits

The Sax Institute is an independent organisation that exists to help governments find and make best use of research in their work. We work with many different government agencies, including Commonwealth and State governments. We host research assets like the 45 and Up Study and the SURE facility, and provide training and other support services for researchers. We have developed internationally recognised tools and services to generate faster and more cost-effective ways for governments to access high-quality evidence for decision making.

Sax Institute members include universities and research groups that are leaders in public health and health services research. Early career researchers who work at our Ordinary Member organisations are eligible to apply for a Sax Institute Research Action Award.

University and Ordinary Members are represented by three University Member Directors and three Ordinary Member Directors on our Board. All members (including Associate Members) can attend and speak at Annual General Meetings (AGMs).

There are no costs or fees charged to members and no requirement to complete or participate in any activities to remain a member. If the Institute is wound up, University and Ordinary Members must contribute up to $10 to cover payment of debts.

Applying for membership

Universities and research groups wishing to apply for membership must submit an application for consideration by the Sax Institute Board of Directors.

To discuss becoming a member, please contact Millie Au for more information.

Types of membership

The Sax Institute determines membership eligibility on the basis of research output. All members must have a philosophy consistent with the Institute’s objectives which includes a commitment to research excellence.

University Membership

Universities are nominated by one University Member and seconded by another University Member of the Company. They must have an established research facility in public health or health services. Each University Member has a single vote on matters that affect University Members at AGMs.

Ordinary and Associate Membership

Research centres must be nominated by a University Member as a research group of national or international standing. The research centre must be involved in public health or health services research. The research group must be known to the nominating University Member.

Research centres (such as schools or departments of public health and community medicine and research institutes) can apply for Ordinary or Associate Membership and the Board will make the final decision about which membership category applies. The Board reserves the right to accept a centre based on whether it has skills or expertise important to the Institute. The Board will consider publications in peer review journals, competitive research funds and impact of research on policy and practice in making a determination.

Ordinary membership criteria

Either the research centre:

  • Received at least $1 million in research funds from any source over the past three years OR
  • Published 20 or more papers in peer review journals over the past four years. Authored reports published by governments and books and book chapters will be considered as publications and the Board will assess their contribution to knowledge, policy and practice in determining whether they equate to one or more peer review journal papers OR
  • Can demonstrate a substantial contribution to the development of policy or practice. The centre will be asked to make a case for impact to be considered by the Board. This case might include the number of reports published by governments or examples of work translating into policy and practice in the previous four years.

Each Ordinary Member has a single vote on matters that affect Ordinary Members at AGMs.

Associate membership criteria

Research centres that do not meet the criteria for Ordinary membership but have at least five publications in peer review journals in the past three years can apply for Associate membership.

Associate Members cannot vote at AGMs.

How can non-members participate in Institute activities?

The Institute encourages participation from all researchers and others interested in research and policy. If you would like to be notified of our news, events and program updates, please subscribe to our e-newsletter, Evidence Matters.