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About NICM HRI

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Western Sydney University’s NICM Health Research Institute (NICM HRI) is Australia’s leader in integrative and complementary medicine research and policy.

As an Excellence in Research for Australia (opens in a new window) (ERA) 5 rated institute, NICM HRI is globally recognised for its world-class research and innovations in integrative and complementary medicine. NICM HRI is Australia’s most awarded ERA 5 institute in the field of complementary medicine research, rated for three consecutive trienniums, 2012, 2015 and 2018, as "well above world standard".

Seed funded in 2007 by the Australian Government and the New South Wales State Government, NICM HRI conducts research that advances our knowledge and understanding of traditional and complementary medicine and promotes evidence-based integrative healthcare. In alignment with the World Health Organization’s Traditional Medicine strategy (2014-2023), NICM HRI is dedicated to generating robust research aimed at evaluating the quality, safety, and effectiveness of traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine.

The Institute's research includes clinical trials, laboratory testing, and policy work, with a concentrated effort in the following areas:

  • Cardiovascular and metabolic health.
  • Neurocognitive and mental health.
  • Reproductive health.
  • Cancer management and recovery.
  • Immunity and inflammation.

NICM HRI also undertakes research in the following emerging areas:

  • Traditional and indigenous medicine, such as bush medicine in Australia.
  • Mind and body therapies, such as yoga and meditation.
  • Medicinal cannabis.
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Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University is spread over six campuses in Western Sydney. It has a dynamic research culture with multidisciplinary research undertaken across a range of areas including culture, society, health and the environment.

The University has been a long-term supporter of research and education in integrative and complementary medicine. The Complementary Medicine Research Unit was established in 1995, and, in 2001, it became the Centre for Complementary Medicine Research (CompleMED), later being incorporated into the National Institute of Complementary Medicine.

The National Institute of Complementary Medicine (NICM) was founded in 2007 in response to the 2003 Expert Committee on Complementary Medicines in the Australian Health System. In 2018, NICM was officially recognised as a Western Sydney University institute and became NICM Health Research Institute (NICM HRI). Initially located at the University's Campbelltown campus, in 2018, NICM HRI relocated to a multimillion dollar restored heritage building on the Westmead campus. In 2022, MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviours and Development, along with the Translational Health Research Institute, relocated to the newly constructed Westmead Innovation Quarter adjacent to NICM HRI, forming a vibrant health research hub on the University's Westmead campus.

Visit the Western Sydney University website (opens in a new window)