Since 2006, Cancer Australia has administered the Support for Cancer Clinical Trials (SCCT) program to build Australia’s capacity to undertake investigator-initiated and industry-independent cancer clinical trials to address important questions in patient treatment and care that may not be of commercial interest to industry. The SCCT program will support the delivery of the Australian Cancer Plan (the Plan), specifically Action 4.2.2 by ensuring targeted and innovative research investment into areas of unmet and emerging need; improving clinical trial design, including methods to increase equitable access to trials; and accelerate translation of innovative research into clinical practice.

Cancer Australia is currently supporting 14 Multi-site Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Groups (CTGs) to develop investigator-initiated and industry-independent cancer clinical trial concepts and protocols to the stage of applying for grant funding. In 2024, over $22 million was awarded to support these groups until 30 June 2027.

Importantly, there is a need to ensure CTGs have access to technical services necessary to facilitate activities for clinical trial concept and protocol development. Since 2008, Cancer Australia has procured the services of several National Technical Services (NTS) to assist CTGs in identified areas of common need and priority areas of focus for the Australian Government.

The HE NTS will be required to provide, but is not limited to, the following minimum services to the CTGs supported by Cancer Australia under the SCCT program:

• Direct engagement with all CTGs through a minimum of one face-to-face meeting/ teleconference/videoconference per annum with each CTG to discuss current needs and to plan for submissions of concepts and protocols for review and input by the HE NTS.
• Direct expert advice to support the CTGs to include HE measures and/or sub-studies, where appropriate, into investigator-initiated and industry-independent cancer clinical trial concepts and protocols developed up to the stage when grant funding has been secured for the conduct of the clinical trial.
• Expert advice on data collection, analysis and reporting of HE elements of cancer clinical trials to the CTGs. The HE NTS should provide input and/or authorship into grant applications or publications from each CTG, when applicable.
• Training to build and improve the capacity of CTG staff and members to develop and undertake activities that assist with the inclusion of HE measures and/or sub-studies in cancer clinical trials and the subsequent data collection, analysis and reporting of findings. These trainings should include representation from each CTG, and participants should rate their experience as satisfactory or above.

The HE NTS will also be required to:

• Establish and maintain networks with organisations, locally and globally, involved with HE research
• Establish a HE resource centre for use by the CTGs and other cancer researchers and health professionals across Australia.
• Establish collaborative relationships with other NTS provided by Cancer Australia to support the CTGs.