How to Make Money from Research Participation and Clinical Trials in Australia
Looking at making some extra dollars and helping science at the same time? Clinical trials and research studies are one way to make some extra cash while helping students and scientists. While this isn't a way to earn a full-time income, it can be a very interesting way to earn some extra cash and possibly improve your own health and wellbeing.
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How much can you make participating in clinical trials?
First of all, it's important to note that not all clinical trials and research studies pay participants. As this article explains, some organisations:
- pay cash, ranging from $5 to $200 or more
- some offer non-monetary items such as movie tickets and gift vouchers
- some offer reimbursement for parking/travel costs; and
- some choose NOT to pay participants at all
When I looked at some of the current studies recruiting, this was pretty much confirmed. I found that
- Some studies were offering up to several hundred dollars for trials that involve overnight monitoring or extensive participation (eg. self-monitoring, abstaining from caffeine or alcohol for a length of time etc). Three current sleep trials in Melbourne are paying over $400 for participation.
- Some trials were offering a small, set amount, or reimbursement for transport and parking costs (eg. $20 per session), while others weren't offering any payment of compensation.
- Gift cards
- Movie tickets (particularly for studies involving children)
- Free treatment. This included free CBT sessions, free medication or vitamin supplements or the use of medical or personal care items (eg. contact lenses, CPAP machine etc) that may offer a health benefit or improve a pre-existing condition.
- Free test results. Some trials include MRI scans, DEXA scans, other medical imaging tests and/or blood tests and provide each participant with a free copy of their results and scans.
If I participate, does it mean I'd have to take medication?
Nope! Some trials require participants to take a particular medication or supplement (or a placebo), but there are many other types of trials that don't require participants to take any medication.
Can anyone participate in clinical trials and research?
No. Some studies require people with specific condition, or who belong to a certain age group or ethnicity. Also, some people may be excluded because they are currently taking specific medication, have a specific health condition, or are unable to have particular tests (eg. people with metal within their body are usually excluded from studies requiring an MRI). It's always best to check with your doctor first if you're unsure.
Where can I find clinical trials in Australia?
If you're looking for trials that offer monetary compensation, a great place to start is gumtree, as many Australian universities list their research studies on gumtree.com.au
Just search for "paid research participation"
You can also try the following websites:
Australian Universities
Swinburne University (Melbourne)
This page has a list of current research trials, information about what each trial involves, and a simple online registration form.
University of Melbourne (Melbourne)
This site has a list of research studies currently recruiting volunteers. Current studies are offering compensation for travel, gift cards or free supplements (Omega 3).
Deakin University (Melbourne & Geelong regions)
Please note, it appears that many of these studies offer non-cash compensation (eg. a shopping voucher, free supplements to take during the trial, free blood test to check your iron levels etc), so perhaps email for more information before registering.
Monash University (Melbourne area)
A variety of trials offering varing types of compensation
Register for email invitations to participate in research studies
From their website: Participants will be paid for successfully completing a study. The
amount will depend on the nature of the study but is at least $10, often
more. Payment is made in cash or in the form of a Coles Group &
Myer gift card, at the end of the session. The amount you will be paid
for a study will always be clearly stated on the email invitation.
Hover over the 'Treatment Trials' Tab, and select one of the conditions listed. A list of current trials will appear, with contact details if you're interested in participating. Some of the current trials offer a small amount of monetary compensation and/or medication provided free of charge.
The University of Queensland
Queensland Brain Institute
Has a list of trials, some offering a small amount of compensation (eg. $20 for a 2-hour session, $30 + a 3D image of their brain for approx 1.5 hours etc)
Macquarie University
Sign up to participate in research studies. From their website: Participants are paid $15 per hour (or pro rata) for taking part in these experiments.
The University of Sydney
This page has a list of all current trials. Some of the compensation listed includes cash, gift vouchers and movie passes.
Other Organisations & Hospitals
From their website: "In most instances, participants in a clinical trial will receive
reimbursement for time and inconvenience associated with their
participation."
If you have a specific condition and are looking at new treatment options, but not concerned with receiving a payment, the best sites to start with are:
Australian Clinical Trials - Search for a Clinical Trial
This allows users to search the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. You can narrow your search by specific health conditions, age groups, whether the trial accepts healthy participants etc. This site also lists other registries (eg. Registries for cancer-specific trials etc)
Clinicaltrials.gov
This is a site based in the US, but also lists Australian trials. Click on 'See Studies on a Map', and then click on Australia, and then on your state or territory to find trials in your area. You can also tick a box to include only open studies. Each trial is listed with both the condition (eg. breast cancer) and the intervention (eg. Drug: Placebo; Drug: Denosumab)
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