ABF Information Series Number 7. Research and training

Under the Rudd hospital reform plan, the Commonwealth will, from 1 July 2011, fund 60% of "recurrent expenditure on research and training functions undertaken in public hospitals". The proposed 'independent umpire' will determine both the mechanism and the funding amount for these functions. This paper in the ABF series describes these functions and identifies issues relevant to their funding. Before doing so, it places these functions into context.