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Human Research Ethics Committee
Our primary aim is to promote and improve the welfare of research participants and the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research.
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Membership Structure
Minimum membership comprises eight members. As far as possible, men and women are represented in equal numbers and at least one-third of the members are external to the institution for which the HREC is reviewing research.
The membership comprises representatives from the following categories:
A Chairperson with suitable experience whose other responsibilities will not impair the HREC capacity to carry out its obligations under the National Statement.
At least two members who provide community and consumer perspective, one man and one woman, with no affiliation with the institution or organisation and not currently involved in medical, scientific, legal or academic work.
At least one member with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counselling or treatment of people.
At least one member who performs a pastoral care role in the community, for example, an Aboriginal elder or a minister of religion.
At least one member who is a lawyer, where possible one who is not engaged to advise the institution for which the HREC is reviewing research.
At least two members with knowledge of and current research experience that is relevant to the applications to be considered at the meetings they attend.
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Representation
To ensure the HREC is equipped to address all of the relevant considerations arising from the categories of research, some or all of the above membership categories may be represented by more than one person. No member is appointed in more than one of the membership categories.
Research applications are reviewed by an HREC composed of members who are independent of the sponsor and institution. Researchers and staff involved in the design or sponsorship of studies do not participate in ethical reviews.
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Documents
The committee's current standard operating procedures, terms of reference and policies.
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Submitting to the HREC
New studies, amendments, safety reports, serious breaches and progress reports are all submitted through the online submitter portal. One account covers every study your organisation submits; there is nothing to post or email.
Get an account for your work email. The co-ordinator sets up your organisation, and everyone at it sees the same applications. Sign in with a one-time email link.
Upload and submit against the SOP 1 document checklist. Automated administrative checks run as soon as you submit and point out anything to fix first.
Answer the committee in one place: queries pinned to the document and page they are about, your replies and revised versions, and the decision letter.