The teletrial model
Teletrials help people in regional, rural and remote areas access clinical trials closer to home.
A teletrial uses a cluster model where a primary site oversees one or more satellite sites. This allows people to take part in clinical trials closer to home while maintaining consistent oversight and safety.
In a teletrial cluster:
- the Principal Investigator (PI) at the primary site provides overall coordination and trial oversight
- satellite sites deliver specific delegated activities locally as part of the trial team
- sponsors determine which sites form each cluster and agree to run the study as a teletrial.
Benefits for sponsors
Teletrials allow trial activities to be shared across primary and satellite sites so people in regional, rural and remote areas can take part closer to home.
The teletrial model offers:
- more diverse participation, improving the validity and generalisability of trial findings
- stronger recruitment and retention, with easier access for participants across multiple locations
- flexible site arrangements, allowing independent sites and teletrial clusters to operate under a single protocol
- the ability to add satellite sites as needs change, helping sponsors respond to recruitment patterns with minimal disruption
- better use of site capability, enabling participation from services with different levels of research experience.
Teletrials in Victoria
In Victoria, teletrials follow a nationally consistent framework under the Australian Teletrial Program.
Sponsors work with primary and satellite sites to decide how the model applies to their studies. This is based on the protocol, site capability and regulatory requirements.
ATP-Vic supports sponsors to expand clinical trials into regional, rural and remote Victoria through the teletrial model.
We provide statewide support. This includes feasibility assessments and practical study startup. We also guide sponsors through the administrative steps needed to implement teletrials in Victoria.
Our support for sponsors also includes:
- coordinating teletrial cluster establishment to ensure primary and satellite sites are set up consistently
- helping sponsors navigate Victorian governance expectations for teletrials
- providing practical advice to ensure delegated trial activities are delivered safely at satellite sites.
ATP-Vic works with a network of regional health services that provide on-the-ground clinical trial support. You can view the current list of health services on the Participating health services page.
To learn more about the program, see About the Australian Teletrial Program.
Contact us
If you have a clinical trial that you want to conduct under the teletrial model in Victoria, please email rccc@safercare.vic.gov.au or telephone +61 499 810 778.