The Australian Centre for Health Research was launched on 16 November 2005.

At the time, Executive Director of the Centre, The Hon Neil Batt AO, told attendees "What our health system needs is a body committed to sound research and fact-based dialogue, a body that is representative of all elements of the industry and which is focused on advancing the effectiveness of health services in Australia, with a view to being independent of personal, political or business agendas."