Enrolling in a clinical trial
How to search for clinical trials
All clinical trials in Australia can be found on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. You can search this registry on the Australian Clinical Trials website, where you can filter by broad health condition or specific condition.
To learn more about clinical trials specific for your child, speak with their treating doctor.
Find a clinical trial
Learn how to enrol in a clinical trial
Each clinical trial is different, so the enrolment process can vary from one trial to another.
If you want to learn more about enrolling your child in a clinical trial, please reach out to their treating doctor. If you are unsure, contact our friendly staff so they can help direct you to the right person.
Contact us
Before you participate in a clinical trial
We encourage all parents and carers who are thinking about enrolling their child in a clinical trial to make an informed decision. This means asking as many questions as necessary before providing informed consent.
See our checklist for some questions you may want to ask.
See our clinical trial checklist
Common questions
Does my child have to provide consent to participate?
Anyone who participates in a clinical trial needs to give informed consent. In Australia, this is different when it comes to clinical trials pertaining to children/young people, or participants under the age of 18.
Typically, informed consent involves the communication of the details of the clinical trial to participants. Sometimes children/young people are unable to provide informed consent. This could be because of their young age or their illness or condition.
It is important to know that if you do not wish for your child to participate in a clinical trial, you are allowed to say no. You are also free to withdraw your child from a trial at any time.
The Australian Clinical Trials website provides detailed information for parents/guardians about clinical trials and children.
Why should I enrol my child in a clinical trial?
There are a number of reasons parents/guardians may want to enrol their child in a clinical trial.
- Clinical trials can be a way your child accesses the best possible care at our hospitals.
- Your child will be helping researchers find better ways to care for children.
- Participating in a trial means your child may receive extra care, including closer monitoring and specialised testing that may not be a part of the standard care.
- You may have more access to advice and care from leading professionals in their field.
Can my child leave a clinical trial?
Your child is free to withdraw from a clinical trial at any time. You do not have to provide a reason in doing so. Leaving a trial does not affect your relationship with your doctor or prevent you from receiving other treatments at our hospitals.
It is very important to let one of the health staff involved in the trial know about the withdrawal, as it will help them provide any information about potential outcomes by leaving the trial. This could relate to your child’s health or to the information collected in the time leading to withdrawal.
What should I expect when enrolling?
Anyone taking part in a trial must be fully informed about the objectives of the research, what is expected of them and any risks and potential inconveniences that may be experienced during and after the trial.
You will have many opportunities to ask questions to your doctor or health professional. See our clinical trial checklist to see what questions to ask.