Research ethics

You will need to obtain ethics approval from the ACU HREC where the research involves interactions with humans or their data. This applies to

• funded and unfunded research;
• research activities undertaken as a major requirement towards your degree.

You should not commence your research until you have obtained ethics clearance from the ACU HREC. If you have approval from another (external) ethics committee, then you will need to have that approval ratified by the ACU HREC.

Why do I need human research ethics approval?

Ethics approval is an important part of research integrity, both individually and institutionally. The process of ethics review helps to balance the interests of research participants, researchers and the University.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the necessary ethics approval in order to:

• access your funding;
• publish your results;
• submit your thesis;
• undertake a research project as a major part of your course requirements.

When is human research ethics approval not required?

You do not need to apply for ethics approval if:

• You are conducting quality assurance (QA) activities, such as a satisfaction survey, and you do not intend to publish the results;
• You are using research methods such as surveys or interviews on classmates as part of your class activity or assessment. Refer to Taught Unit Guidelines and some Frequently Asked Questions which include a short video.

Note that the HREC cannot grant retrospective approval.

HREC Meeting Dates and Submission Deadlines 2021 (PDF, 139KB)

To be recognised for engaging with applicants in a collaborative and respectful way, while ensuring that research activities at ACU are aligned with the principles and values of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the Mission of the University.

• HREC Terms of reference (PDF)
• HREC Membership – list of HREC members (PDF)

The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research gives the main and minimum standards by which research involving humans is conducted.

Learn more and download the latest edition

The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research provides a guide to institutions and researchers on responsible research practices.

Learn more and download

The ACU Research Code of Conduct is a policy adopted by the University on the appropriate practices for the conduct of research. It is intended to be read in the light of other ACU Policies and Procedures.

Read the ACU Research Code of Conduct

Research involving and engaging with First Nation Australians will be referred to the Indigenous Research Ethics Advisory Panel (IREAP) for additional review and advice.

Before submitting your application you must have read the IREAP guidelines and attached the supporting information using the IREAP Appendix B template (below).

To allow sufficient time for IREAP review, your application will be due 4 weeks before the HREC meeting date – refer to the HREC Meeting dates section on this page.

IREAP Membership

Convenor: Dr Teresa (Tess) Ryan
Executive Support: Research Ethics and Integrity Manager
External members – TBA

• IREAP Guidelines (Word)
• IREAP Appendix B template (Word)
• IREAP PowerPoint template (PowerPoint)
• Sample IREAP letterhead (Word)

About the IREAP artwork

IREAP commissioned Cassandra Gibbs and Danielle Dent to create an artwork expressing the work and aims of the ACU IREAP. Background on the artwork can be found in the following attachment: IREAP ARTWORK – Certification

Complaints relating to the conduct of research 

Complaints relating to the conduct of research by ACU students or staff will initially be investigated by the HREC Chair and the Research Ethics and Integrity Manager, in line with University policies relating to responsible conduct of research.

In the event of such a complaint being received, the researcher shall immediately be informed and a sub-committee established to investigate the complaint. If appropriate, the sub-committee will recommend that the relevant protocol(s) be suspended until the complaint has been resolved.

Complaints relating to the decisions of the HREC

Complaints about any decisions of the HREC that cannot be resolved by the Chair and Research Ethics and Integrity Manager will be referred to the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) for further consideration. However, every attempt should be made to resolve such complaints and to address concerns before making such a referral.

What to do if you have a complaint or concern relating to research conducted by ACU staff or students

If you have any complaints or concerns relating to research conducted by a researcher from ACU, you should if possible resolve your concerns directly with the researcher in the first instance.  If for any reason you do not feel comfortable in talking with the researcher, or if you are not satisfied with their response, please contact the Research Ethics and Integrity Manager immediately.  The Research Ethics and Integrity Manager can be contacted either by email (ResEthics.Manager@acu.edu.au) or by telephone (02 9739 2519).

Accidents, Incidents or Adverse Events

It is a requirement of ethics approval that researchers inform the Ethics Committee of any accidents, incidents or adverse events that arise during the course of research as soon as possible.

Such an incident might include an injury or accident resulting from the research, either to a person (who could be a participant, a member of the research team or a member of the public), a complaint, or involve some other harm such as inadvertent release of personal data.

Please refer to the Guidelines for Incidents/accidents (Docx 66KB) for more information.

Ethics applications are made through the online Orion system.

There are three different online application forms:

1. New ACU Project
2. Non-Identifiable Data
3. Registration of External Approval (All forms can be accessed from the Ethics menu in Orion and selecting, Applications)

Normally applicants should choose Create New Application then select the New ACU Project form unless:

• Your research is limited to the use of previously collected Non-Identifiable data. Login to Orion and follow the path: Ethics/Applications/Create New Application/Non-Identifiable data.
• Your research has already been approved by an accredited HREC and you wish to either transfer the protocol to ACU jurisdiction or register the external approval with ACU. Login to Orion and follow the path: Ethics/Applications/Create New Application/Registration of external approval.

Templates

• Information Letter Template (Word, 35 KB)
• Consent Form Template (Word, 32 KB)

For subsequent reports, amendments and extensions please download the appropriate form from the links below and email the complete form (including attachments) to Res.Ethics@acu.edu.au

Progress/Final Report/Request for Extension

The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research requires researchers to provide regular reports to the HREC. You will be sent reminders at regular intervals to complete and return the required report(s), using the template below:

Download Research Project Progress/Final Report/Request for Extension template (PDF, 720 KB)

Download Research Project Progress/Final Report/Request for Extension template (DOCX, 54 KB)

Changes to Protocol

You should not alter your protocol without prior approval from the HREC. If you wish to alter your protocol, please download and complete the template below:

Download Modification Form for Research Project template (PDF, 416 KB)

Download Modification Form for Research Project template (DOCX, 59 KB)

Note: Forms emailed by the Principal Investigator/Supervisor do not require a signature.

• Guidelines for Incidents/accidents (Word 66KB)
• Ethics Audit & Monitoring Information (PDF 104KB)
• Taught Units: Ethics Guidelines For Taught Units (PDF 87KB)
• Ethics and Taught Units: Frequently Asked Questions
• Researcher amendment guidelines for applications reviewed by the full HREC (PDF, 525KB)
• Researcher amendment guidelines for applications reviewed by Expedited Review Panels (PDF, 695KB)
• Records Retention and Disposal Schedule - Policies - Australian Catholic University (acu.edu.au)
• ACU Survey Governance Framework
• ACU Certificate of Currency (Accessible by ACU Staff only)

Working with Children Checks

Evidence of current Working with Children/Vulnerable People Checks (WWC/V Checks) in the relevant State(s)/Territories should be provided for all researchers who will have direct contact with children in the course of their research. For ACU staff, the appropriate WWC/V Check will be a paid worker/employee check (not a volunteer or student WWC/V Check). Any researcher(s) without the appropriate current WWC/V Check(s) should be removed from the project until the WWC/V Check(s) is provided to the Ethics Secretariat. The researchers may be added to the project via a Modification Application at a later time when they can provide the evidence of the WWC/V Check(s). All WWC/V Checks will be validated with the relevant Government Agency. In New South Wales a date of birth must be provided to facilitate the validation process. More information on WWC/V Checks and links to Government Agency websites are available from the ACU staff website.

At this stage, WWC/V Checks should be attached to every relevant ethics application.

If you require help or advice in how to interpret the application form questions or guidelines, please contact Res.Ethics@acu.edu.au or phone (02) 9739 2646 (extension 2646). If you require further assistance regarding managing your data please contact eresearch@acu.edu.au.

ACU Research Data Management Toolkit for assistance in completing the Data Management component of your application.

If your query relates to technical issues with the online form or Orion, please contact Res.Systems@acu.edu.au or phone (03) 9953 3674 (extension 3674).

Other help and resources

• Visit Orion (then navigate to Ethics eForms)
• Orion: Getting started, creating an ethics application
• Orion: Instructions for Expedited reviewed applications
• Orion: Instructions for HREC reviewed applications