The first intake of 2025 SKILLED Clinical Trial Interns has completed their orientation and started placements in clinical trial units, contributing to the capacity of Victoria’s clinical trial workforce.
Eight Clinical Trial Administrative Officers and 10 Study Coordinators interns are undertaking the program, which has included training sessions and shadowing across nine different teams at the Parkville Cancer Clinical Trials Unit (PCCTU).
The 18 interns are undertaking their placements at 11 individual metropolitan and four regional centres with a number of sites hosting more than one intern.
2025 SKILLED Study Coordinator interns
The SKILLED Clinical Trial Internship program is a pathway for science graduates into the clinical trials sector. Launched in 2019 by the VCCC Alliance, the program addresses critical needs identified in the sector to increase clinical trial activity through workforce capacity building and improving patients’ access to trials, especially in rural and regional areas.
“Expanding access to clinical trials is a key priority for improving health outcomes in Victoria and across Australia,” said Chris Packer, Senior Manager SKILLED Internship and Regional Advisor.
“The SKILLED Clinical Trial Internship drives skills development and workforce training for the future, particularly skills shortage of clinical trialists responsible for the day-to-day running of clinical trials,” she said.
“The program has significantly contributed to an industry-ready workforce with the skills necessary to keep pace with the rapidly changing sector with a view to increasing access to clinical trials and ultimately improving health outcomes.”
2025 SKILLED Clinical Trial Administrative Officer interns
The program is funded by the Victorian Government through the Victorian Department of Health.
The program has expanded beyond placements in cancer clinical trial units, with interns placed in cardiothoracic, diabetes and endocrinology, respiratory and vaccine clinical trial units in 2025. Regional placements are underway at Grampians Health, Latrobe Regional Health, Bendigo Health and South West Healthcare.
Organisations hosting interns in the current intake include:
Grampians Health
St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne
Western Health
Epworth (2 x interns)
The Royal Melbourne Hospital (3 x interns)
South West Healthcare
Bendigo Health
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre (PCCTU) (2 x interns)
Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute
Austin Health
Northern Health
The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (University of Melbourne)
Latrobe Regional Health
St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research
The Jreissati Pancreatic Centre at Epworth Healthcare
