Frequently Asked Questions

Clinical trials in South-East Queensland help researchers develop safer and more effective treatments. This FAQ provides clear answers about taking part, what to expect, and how your safety and rights are protected.

About Clinical Trials

Clinical trials help researchers learn more about health conditions and explore potential new treatments. Here, you can find clear answers about how clinical trials work and why people choose to take part in research.
A clinical trial is a research study that tests how well a new medicine, treatment, device, or health approach works in people. Clinical trials are designed to assess the safety, effectiveness, and performance of a treatment before it can be widely used in healthcare.

They follow strict scientific and ethical guidelines to ensure participant safety and reliable results.
Clinical trials are essential for improving healthcare and developing new treatments. They provide the scientific evidence needed to understand how therapies work and whether they are safe and effective for patients.

Without clinical trials, new medicines and medical technologies could not be approved or introduced into routine care.
Yes. Clinical trials are carefully regulated and monitored to protect participants. In Australia, all clinical trials must follow Good Clinical Practice standards and be approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee before they begin. 

Safety is monitored throughout the study, and any serious safety concerns must be reported to regulators and ethics committees immediately.

Who Can Take Part

Clinical trials include people with different health conditions, as well as healthy volunteers, depending on the study. This section outlines who may be eligible and how suitability is assessed before joining a trial.

Anyone who meets the study requirements, known as eligibility criteria, may be eligible to participate. These criteria help ensure the research is safe and that the results are accurate.

Eligibility may be based on:

  • age
  • health condition
  • medical history
  • medications
  • lifestyle factors
Yes. Some clinical trials specifically recruit healthy volunteers to help researchers understand how treatments work in people without a medical condition.

Healthy volunteer studies are common in early-stage research and vaccine studies.
Not always. Some studies are designed for people with specific health conditions, while others are open to healthy individuals.

Each study clearly explains who can take part.

Eligibility depends on the study design and safety requirements. Researchers use eligibility criteria to protect participants and ensure reliable results.

Common eligibility factors include:

  • age range
  • diagnosis or health status
  • current medications
  • previous treatments
  • overall health

What to Expect

Taking part in a clinical trial involves scheduled visits, health checks, and ongoing support from the research team. Common questions participants aks us:

Participation usually begins with a screening visit to confirm eligibility. If eligible, participants attend scheduled visits where researchers collect information and monitor health.

Activities may include:

  • health assessments
  • questionnaires
  • blood tests or scans
  • receiving the study treatment
The length of participation varies depending on the study. Some trials last a few weeks, while others may continue for several months or longer.

The expected duration is always explained before you decide to join.

Tests depend on the study and its goals. They are designed to monitor safety and measure how the treatment works.

Common tests may include:

  • blood tests
  • physical examinations
  • imaging (e.g., X-ray or MRI)
  • heart monitoring
  • questionnaires

After the trial ends, researchers review the results and continue monitoring participant safety if required.

Participants may:

  • attend a final visit
  • receive follow-up contact
  • be informed about study outcomes

Safety and Rights

Participant safety and wellbeing are the highest priorities in clinical research. This section explains the protections in place, how studies are monitored, and the rights you have as a participant. 
Absolutely. Clinical trials are carefully designed and closely monitored to protect participants. In Australia, every clinical trial must be reviewed and approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee before it can begin, and it must follow national and international Good Clinical Practice standards.

Participant safety is monitored throughout the study by doctors, researchers and independent oversight groups. Trials can be paused or stopped if a safety concern is identified, and participants receive clear information about potential risks before deciding whether to take part.
Yes. Participation in a clinical trial is voluntary. You can withdraw at any time without penalty or loss of medical care.

Participants must give informed consent before joining, confirming they understand the study and agree to take part voluntarily.

Participant safety is monitored by multiple independent groups throughout the study.

These may include:

  • researchers and doctors
  • ethics committees
  • sponsors
  • regulatory authorities

Clinical trials must be designed and monitored to ensure participants are protected and risks are carefully managed.

If a safety issue occurs, researchers must act immediately to protect participants. Serious safety concerns must be reported to regulators and ethics committees within strict timeframes.

Medical care is always provided if a participant experiences a trial-related health issue.

Costs and Reimbursement

aking part in a clinical trial usually does not cost you anything. Here you can learn about possible reimbursements and what expenses may be covered during the study.

Participants are typically reimbursed for their time and travel expenses.

Reimbursement helps cover:

  • travel costs
  • parking
  • meals
  • time spent attending visits

The amount and schedule are explained before participation begins.

Most clinical trials do not charge participants for study-related procedures or treatments.

Costs related to the study are usually covered by the sponsor or research organisation.
Reimbursement is usually provided after each study visit or according to a scheduled payment plan.

The timing and method of reimbursement are explained clearly during the consent process.

Joining a Trial

Joining a clinical trial is a straightforward process, and our team will guide you each step of the way. The questions below explain how to get started and what happens after you register your interest.
Joining a clinical trial usually starts by registering your interest online or speaking with our team.

We’ll contact you to ask a few questions about your health and explain what the study involves. If the study may be suitable, you may be invited to attend a screening visit to learn more.

Before anything begins, you’ll receive clear information about the study and have time to ask questions. Taking part is always voluntary.

After you register, our team will review your information and contact you to discuss the study.

The next steps may include:

  • A phone call or questionnaire
  • A screening appointment
  • A discussion with a study doctor

This process helps confirm whether the study is suitable and safe for you.
If you are eligible and choose to proceed, we will schedule your first study visit.

In most cases, you do not need a referral to join a clinical trial.

You can register directly with the research team. With your permission, we may inform your GP or specialist about your participation to help keep your care coordinated.
Not everyone will meet the requirements for every study, and that’s completely normal.

If a study is not suitable for you, we will explain why and, with your permission, may contact you about future studies that could be a better match.

Being ineligible for one trial does not prevent you from joining another in the future.
Yes. You can withdraw from a clinical trial at any time.

Taking part in research is voluntary. Leaving a study will not affect your regular medical care.

If you decide to withdraw, our team will discuss the next steps and support you through the process.

Privacy and Data

Protecting your privacy is an important part of clinical research. The most frequent questions about this section are: 
Your personal information is collected only to run the clinical trial safely and responsibly.

This may include your contact details, medical history, and study results. Your information is handled securely and used only for approved research purposes.
Yes. Your information will be kept confidential.

Only authorised staff involved in the study can access your information, and strict procedures are in place to protect your privacy.

Access to your information is limited to authorised people who need it to run and monitor the study.

This may include:

  • The research team
  • Study doctors and nurses
  • Ethics committees
  • Regulatory authorities
  • Study sponsors or monitors

All organisations must follow strict privacy and confidentiality rules.

No. Your identity will not be revealed in research reports or publications.

Results are shared in summary form, and personal details such as your name are removed.

Yes. You can request to withdraw your consent for the use of your information at any time.

If you withdraw from a study:

  • No new information will be collected
  • You can request your data to be removed where possible

Withdrawing will not affect your medical care.

Can't find the answer here?

Our team is happy to answer any questions you have about clinical trials, eligibility, or what to expect.
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You're in safe hands

Everything we do is built around your trust

Data protection

Every piece of data we collect is handled under strict Australian privacy law. Your personal details are never shared with third parties, and you can request their removal at any time.

Ethics approval

Every trial we run is reviewed and approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee before it begins. So you can be confident the research meets the highest standards of safety and integrity.

A real person, every step of the way

From your first enquiry to your final visit, you'll have direct access to our clinical team. No chatbots, no runarounds, just experienced staff who know your name and your study.
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