Australians are earning thousands of dollars without experience or a degree by helping advance the medical treatment of some of the country’s most common and debilitating conditions.

Both healthy participants and those with medical conditions are needed for medical trials, with some companies offering generous payouts.

Nearly 14,000 clinical trials were registered in Australia in the past year.

Previous trials have tested new treatments for a wide range of conditions including mental health disorders, heart disease, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and cancer. 

Many providers list current trials on their websites.

A new online trial finder by Nucleus Network is launching in Sydney next year in a bid to streamline that process. 

“Adding simple things like age, your location and any particular availability dates allows the tool to actually self-match you to a trial,” Nucleus Network chief executive Teena Isarev said.

Payment depends on what is involved from participants, from short clinic visits to three week stays.

“It can vary from a few $100 to several $1000, even up to $15,000 to $20,000,” Isarev said.

Under health and medical research reforms, the government is in the process of setting up the National One Stop Shop website, to make it easier for patients and researchers to conduct and participate in clinical trials.

Cancer patient Maria Rendina benefitted from a trial, which gave her access to a drug not yet available in Australia.

“You’re helping other people, possibly people in your own family because whatever it is, could be hereditary,” Rendina said.

When applying for any clinical trial, speak to your doctor first and know potential health risks before signing consent forms.

“Safety is always paramount for all of the trials no matter what phase the trial is in,” Brumby said.