About Us

The Animal Ethics Team is part of the Research Ethics Office within Research and Innovation Services (RIS) . The team's job is to ensure that all research and teaching involving animals is in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Code) and the ACT Animal Welfare Act 1992.

The team provides administrative support for the University's Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and the ethics application process, as well as training and supporting research staff, managing state and territory licences, and co-ordinating inspections of animal facilities. The Animal Ethics Team does not approve ethics applications. Ethics applications are reviewed and approved by the AEC according to the Code.

Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) »

Any research or teaching involving animals* has to be approved by the AEC before it can start. This includes observation-only studies (to assess whether the study might disturb the animals' natural behaviour and environment), and may include projects that use animal cadavers.

If you aren't sure whether you need ethics approval, please contact the office at animal.ethics@anu.edu.au.

*"Animal" is defined in the Code as any live non-human vertebrate (that is, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals encompassing domestic animals, purpose bred animals, livestock, wildlife), adult decapod crustaceans and cephalopods.

On our website

On our website, you can find information on:

• COVID-19 updates (Animal Ethics)

• New Animal Ethics applications
  • What you need to do before you apply
  • Walkthrough of the Animal Ethics Application Process
• Animal Ethics submission dates
• Specific Research Areas - rules/guidelines relating to:
  • Animals and Art
  • Microchipping in Tasmania
  • Use of Drugs in Research Animals
• Managing your protocol
  • Changes, Unexpected Adverse Events, Reporting, Expiry and Renewals
  • Forms for managing your protocol
• Policies, procedures and guidelines
• Resources, training & support
  • Training
  • Student and supervisor responsibilities in research ethics
  • Alternatives to animal research
• ANU Veterinary Services
• Raising concerns