The Contracts Office supports researchers by preparing and managing the agreements that underpin research at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Having appropriate contracts in place is a key part of the research governance process and helps ensure projects meet legal, risk and compliance requirements.
A formal agreement is usually required where a project involves collaboration with another organisation, the sharing of data or materials, or the use of research outcomes. The Contracts Office supports a wide range of agreements, including research collaborations, clinical trials, student research projects, data or material sharing, and variations to existing contracts.
We work closely with researchers to understand the details of each project, including roles and responsibilities, data handling arrangements, intellectual property, and publication requirements. We also collaborate with the Governance and Finance teams within the Office for Research, as well as RMH Legal Services, to ensure contracts meet organisational requirements, including risk, compliance and financial considerations.
This coordinated approach helps ensure contracts accurately reflect the agreed research arrangements.
If a contract is required outside the typical governance process, the Contracts Office can provide direct support or, where appropriate, refer the matter to RMH Legal Services.
What to expect when working with the Contracts Office
We take a structured and collaborative approach to supporting research contracts at RMH. When you work with us, we will:
- review project information to confirm whether a contract is required
- identify the most appropriate agreement for your project
- prepare or review draft agreements
- support discussions with external organisations
- arrange contract execution once governance approval has been granted
For RMH Staff
RMH researchers and staff can access the Contracts Office page on RMH Sharepoint for detailed guidance on:
- when a contract is required
- how to engage the Contracts Office
- completing the Contracts Kickstarter Form
Contact
You can contact the Contracts Office at OfRContracts@mh.org.au.
To help us process your request efficiently, please include the relevant RMH project number (e.g. 2026.999, QA2026999 or PER2026999) in the subject line.
About clinical trials
We need clinical trials to prove that new treatments are safe and effective for people to use. They are essential to the discovery of new medications and devices, neither of which can be approved for use in Australia without clinical trials.