Applying for ethics approval

To ensure your research project is ethically appropriate, you are required to submit an ethics application to a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The HREC will review the research/scientific methods, ethical standards, safety and welfare of research participants.

Ethics approval from a Queensland Health HREC—For research conducted at Queensland Health and at Victorian and Mater Health facilities, you have to complete the ethics application online using Ethical Review Manager (ERM). If applying to a Queensland Health HREC, all research ethics applications must be made using the Human Research Ethics Application (HREA) form. In addition, all post-approval amendments and reports are to be created and submitted in ERM.

  • Ethics review pathways

    The two pathways for ethical review and their level of review with the HREC.

  • Submitting an ethics application

    Guidelines for the ethics application process based on the risk level, exempt research ethics applications and post-approval management of research.

  • Publishing clinical case reports

    When the publication of clinical case reports requires an ethics review, and researcher's requirements for an exemption from an HREC review.

Last updated: 24 July 2026