The Australian Council of Senior Academic Leaders in Digital Health (ACSALDH) has transitioned to be an independent member association, effective from 1 July 2026 – in a move it says marks its next phase growth.
An initiative of the Digital Health Cooperative Research Centre (DHCRC), the Council was launched in 2024 to promote the use of digital technology, informatics and data science in health across Australia.
Over the past two years the Council has delivered a number of initiatives including:
- developing a Train the Trainer Toolkit for the Australian Digital Health Agency to help educators embed digital health education into pre-registration health degrees;
- launching a nationally-recognised Clinical Informatics Fellowship;
- creating the Australian Digital Health Course Directory as a gateway to digital health education offerings for prospective students.
Since becoming an independent association on 1 July, the Council has attracted 21 foundation member universities – with membership continuing to grow during the foundation period until 31 December 2026.
Inaugural Council Chair and Director of the Queensland Digital Health Research Centre at the University of Queensland, Professor Clair Sullivan, said it was a significant milestone for the Council.
“Many other professions within the medical sector have collegiate forums to develop and support the professionalism and the Council is recognition of the importance of digital health as a standalone profession and research discipline within the health ecosystem,” Prof Sullivan said.
“The DHCRC has been such a strong supporter and enabler of the Council, ensuring we are well prepared to make this transition to an independent entity that can continue to contribute to the future of digital health scholarship, education and research for many years to come.”
DHCRC CEO Annette Schmiede said the Council was a significant legacy for the DHCRC and demonstrates what we can achieve when we connect and collaborate around shared goals.
“The establishment of a coordinated and collaborative approach of senior academic leaders in digital health across Australia’s universities offers a unique and powerful platform to strengthen the quality of research and education and as an advocate for digital health.”
“As we reflect on the legacies of the DHCRC, the Council is one of our preeminent achievements and we look forward to continuing to collaborate and support the Council through this transition to an independent entity.”
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