All our clinical trials have strict criteria for patients and as such, all potential participants will undertake a patient screening process before commencement to ensure two things:

• That the participant is suitable for the trial
• That the trial is suitable for the participant

The criteria are designed to decrease risk for participants and to help researchers select the people that will help them answer the research questions that the trial is investigating.

When you register to join the Doherty Clinical Trials database, there are a few steps you will need to take before being selected for a clinical trial. These steps are outlined below and although they will almost always follow this process, there may be some instances where we need to make adjustments, but you will always be kept informed.

It is important that you review the steps and understand what is involved in the clinical trial. If there is anything that you don’t understand, make sure that you ask the staff involved and they can address your questions. If you have medical concerns, you can talk to your healthcare provider.

You should always ensure you have all the information you need about a trial before you sign the consent form.

Screening Process

1. Online Questionnaire

When you click to ‘register your interest’, you will find a simple and clear pre-screening questionnaire. The questionnaire will gather necessary information such as:

  • Your name, age, sex and gender identity
  • Your smoking and alcohol status
  • Any pre-existing medical conditions and any medications you might be taking
  • Your availability and the types of trials you might be interested in participating in.

We request this information to determine that you are healthy enough to participate in the trials and to establish the types of trials that you may be suitable for.

Following the questionnaire, when our team have a study match for you, they will schedule a screening call to discuss your responses in more detail.


If we do not have a match at this time, rest assured you will remain on our database until a suitable trial becomes available.

2. Screening Call

Based on the scheduling we have discussed with you prior; our team will contact you at a time that’s convenient for you.

On average, our patient screening calls take approximately 10-15 minutes, so you can easily get on with the rest of your day.

During the phone call our team may ask you more specific questions to better understand your responses and your general health details to ensure our clinical trials are suitable for you.

If we can match you to a trial, we will arrange a mutually convenient time for you to visit our facility to undergo a basic health assessment.

3. In-Person Health Screen

You will need to attend our Melbourne facility for an in-person health screen with our medical team. Our facility is conveniently located close to public transport and with parking available.


A typical health screen will involve a complete review of your medical history, a blood test, urine sample, height and weight measurements and an ECG. An ECG is an electrocardiogram, which is a quick, non-invasive test to check your heartbeat.


The health screen can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the number of studies on at the time and to account for any potential delays. On average though, you’ll usually be finished within an hour.

At your health screen, you will be provided with snacks and refreshments, and we will ensure to cater to your dietary needs. If you have any questions about the patient screening process at Doherty Clinical Trials, please
reach out to us via our Contact page and we will be happy to assist.

We are currently recruiting for studies so if you are interested and would like to join our database, please visit the register your interest page.

We look forward to meeting you and supporting ethical medical research together!

Frequently Asked Questions

1
What is a clinical trial?

A clinical trial is an investigation where medications, vaccines and other therapies are tested on people who volunteer to participate.

Doherty Clinical Trials performs what is known as early phase trials. Participants in early phase trials are usually healthy volunteers and the investigation is designed to see if the potential treatment or vaccine is safe. Later phase trials can investigate whether a treatment works or is better than any treatment already available.

2
What is a human challenge trial?

A human challenge trial is a type of early phase clinical trial that allows researchers to test the effectiveness of vaccines and therapeutics for infectious diseases, with the aim of making potential treatments for infectious diseases more rapidly available to communities.

Human infection challenge trials involve applying a well-characterised infectious agent in healthy volunteer participants within a controlled environment. The infectious agent is applied either after the volunteer has been vaccinated with the trial study vaccine, or before they have received the treatment in development. This order of events allows the vaccine or therapy to be tested for safety and effectiveness.

These trials are carefully designed to ensure researchers learn meaningful information with the greatest potential to decrease the impact of infectious diseases globally.

3
Why are human challenge trials important?

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us the importance of being able to rapidly understand infectious pathogens and produce and test effective vaccines and treatments to decrease global disease and deaths.

Human challenge trials give critical real-time information which allows for rapid development of effective vaccines and treatments.

4
Will I be paid?

As a participant in a clinical trial, you will be reimbursed for your time, travel expenses and parking, including for trials involving visits to clinics during the day.

For human challenge trials, you may need to stay on site for several days. So depending on the length of the trial, the reimbursement amounts can add up.

Reimbursements are not assessable income for tax purposes and don’t impact social welfare payments.

If you can’t complete the trial, you’ll get a partial payment to cover your time. You might not be paid for screening appointments unless this is specified in advance.

5
Are human challenge trials safe?

Like any medication, vaccine or treatment (and even some over-the-counter products!), human challenge trials carry some risk and potential for side effects. 

To minimise any risk, all the infectious pathogens used are very well understood and all treatments or vaccines have already been tested for safety over many years before they are used in human challenge trials.

Human challenge trials in Australia adhere to a high level of ethical and regulatory requirements.

All trials are approved by an experienced, independent Human Research Ethics Committee registered with Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council. Australia has strict requirements for clinical trials and we follow all guidelines and regulatory requirements including those set out by the principles of Good Clinical Practice, the Therapeutic Goods Administration and Medicines Australia.

6
Can I volunteer?

The types of people who can participate in each trial depends on the purpose of the trial and the information the researchers would like to collect. The type of participant required for each study is dependent on the specific trial and will be described in the recruitment materials. This will give you an early idea about what the researchers are looking for. The early screening process will give you more information about your eligibility.

During the screening process, our team will advise you if you are suitable for the trial in progress. If you are not, there may be other trials for which you fill the selection criteria.

7
What is the screening process to become a participant?

All clinical trials have criteria for participants. These are designed to decrease risk for participants and help researchers select the people who help them answer the research questions the trial is investigating.

All volunteers will need to provide consent to participate and will be asked to answer medical questions specific to the trial. You will be assessed by a doctor and have medical examinations to make sure it is safe for you to be involved in the trial. To understand what you can expect during the screening process, visit our patient screening process page.

8
What is it like to participate in a human challenge trial?

You may need to stay on site for a human challenge trial. Volunteers in our trials stay in Australia’s only unit specifically devoted to human challenge studies. In addition to the highest quality facilities for our researchers, as a participant our team will look after you and make sure you are comfortable, healthy and safe.

But there’s more. All meals are provided and we can accommodate your dietary requirements. The space includes areas for you to relax and kick back and you’ll have access to entertainment – TVs, PlayStations and WiFi. Feel free to bring your work or study with you. You can set up your laptop for study, work or for a chat with your friends and family.

June 5, 2024
In the Media
Doherty Clinical Trials on The House of Wellness

Highlighting the vital work of Doherty Clinical Trials and sharing why participants find it so rewarding.

November 16, 2023
News
Doherty Clinical Trials launches the #mRNA Platform Incubator Network

Doherty Clinical Trials launches the #mRNA Platform Incubator Network in collaboration with Moderna and other leading minds in bio-medical research

April 2, 2024
In the Media
In the News - CEO Dr Andrew Brockway interviewed by The Guardian

Delving further into the Doherty Clinical Trials experience and the purposes of human challenge trials, the article is another feature highlighting the company’s launch.

March 25, 2024
News
Australia's first purpose-built facility to deliver human challenge trials officially launches in Melbourne

Launched by Deputy Premier, The Honourable Ben Carroll MP and Professor Sharon Lewin AO, Director of the Doherty Institute in East Melbourne.

March 27, 2024
In the Media
In the News - Doherty Clinical Trials' CMO and CEO featured in The Age, with Professor Sharon Lewin.

Speaking about the importance of human challenge trials, the article coincides with the launch of Doherty Clinical Trials' facility in East Melbourne.