About us
The home of heart research
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute is Australia's home of heart research, dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease.
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute is renowned for the quality of its scientific discoveries and is dedicated to finding cures for cardiovascular disease through world-class and cutting-edge medical research.
The team at the Institute is working urgently to discover better ways of understanding, diagnosing, treating, and preventing the onset of heart disease and is committed to ensuring its research breakthroughs are translated into advances in clinical care.
Founded in 1994, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was established in honour of the legendary heart transplant surgeon, Dr Victor Chang AC. In 1996, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute was officially opened in Sydney Australia, by the late Diana, Princess of Wales.
Beginning with just two scientists, it now has over 230 scientists, doctors, and staff working together across 24 laboratories across the country. Regarded as Australia’s home of heart research, the Institute has earned its place on the global stage as one of the most respected medical research facilities in the world.
In 2022, the Institute expanded its national footprint by
establishing a new heart disease research hub at the University of Western
Australia and in 2023 established new hubs in South Western Sydney and Melbourne. This will allow researchers and scientists to accelerate life-saving
discoveries that will benefit all Australians and deliver international impact.
Our Purpose
To undertake innovative, inclusive, collaborative, and cutting-edge medical research that improves the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Our Vision
To be recognised globally for excellence in delivery of a complete cardiovascular investigational pipeline that spans fundamental basic science discovery and translational studies through to pre-clinical and clinical trials.
Our Objective
Our ultimate objective is to positively impact clinical patient care, improve health outcomes and to save lives.
Our aspirations
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute always strives to:
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To undertake innovative, collaborative, and cutting-edge research that improves the understanding, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. |
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To expand our translational capacity by developing a discovery-to-bedside translational ‘pipeline’. This will ensure all our discoveries realise their full clinical potential faster than ever before. |
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To educate and train the next generation of leaders in cardiovascular research and medicine. |
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To grow as an innovative, sustainable, diverse organisation of leaders in cardiovascular research and medicine. |
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To strengthen and expand partnerships. Success in tackling heart disease is dependent on collaborations, affiliations, and partnerships in Australia and internationally. |
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To foster excellence and cement our position as an internationally regarded research Institute by advancing our fundamental understanding of the biology and mechanisms related to cardiovascular disease. |
What is our key research focus?
Since 1994, the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute's scientists has been conducting world class research into
the many different types of heart disease.
Our major breakthroughs specialise in:
Why is heart disease research important?
Heart research is vital medical as in Australia, and around the world, cardiovascular disease kills more people than any other disease or illness. More than any cancer, Alzheimer's or HIV/AIDS. Every day, the scientists at Australia's home of heart research discover more about how to fight heart disease.
Cardiovascular disease claims the life of 1 Australian every 12 minutes and can affect anyone irrespective of age or gender. Labeled Australia’s most expensive disease, it currently costs more than $12 billion in healthcare expenditure per year. On top of this, congenital heart disease is the most common form of birth defect in Australia, with one baby born every four hours with a heart problem.
At Australia's heart research headquarters, our discoveries help people of all ages survive and avoid heart disease. Your support can help end the heartbreak.
Acknowledgement of Country
The Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
