SACHRU's role is to:

• assist the Department of Health and service providers to determine needs and priorities for community and primary health care research and evaluation
• develop research and evaluation methodologies suitable for use in a primary health care setting
• design and conduct primary health care research projects
• obtain and manage externally funded research grants and consultancies in community and primary health care
• disseminate research and evaluation findings
• contribute to academic excellence in community health research
• provide support to community and primary health care workers in relation to research, evaluation and primary health care development
• monitor and disseminate Australian and overseas research relevant to primary health care policy and practice
• undertake critical appraisal of policy and programs relevant to primary health care.

SACHRU aims to undertake and advocate for research and evaluation which:

• focuses on issues of equity
• takes a social view of health and wellbeing
• has implications for policy and practice
• involves, and is responsive to, all relevant players
• is independent, rigorous and has academic excellence
• is disseminated widely and in appropriate ways.