Apply for ethics approval

When you apply for ethics approval, you'll need to be able to show that:

• your research has scientific merit
• any benefits outweigh any associated risks
• the people who work on your research have the proper qualifications
• you treat the participants with respect, especially vulnerable groups
• you considered the ethical issues associated with the methodology you'll use.

If you’re doing research at more than one facility, you may need to submit your application to more than one HREC. Read more about multi-centre research.

Low-risk research may not need a full ethics review. The National Health and Medical Research Council describes the difference between research activities, quality assurance activities and research exemption. Learn more about ethical considerations in quality assurance and evaluation activities.

Step 1. Design your research protocol

It’s important you discuss your proposed research with anybody you plan to work with on the project. This will help you design your research protocol.

Your research protocol should include:

• the activities you plan to include in the project
• evidence to support your research activities and your preliminary investigations
• timelines
• how you plan to deal with potential problems.

Step 2. Talk to a Human Research Ethics Committee Coordinator

Before you apply for ethics approval, talk to the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) contact at the hospital and health service (HHS) you want to do research at. They can talk you through the submission requirements and answer any questions you may have. This will make it less likely that you miss something in your application and risk delaying the start of your project.

If the HHS you want to do research at isn't on the contact list, you can talk to a HREC at another HHS.

Step 3. Prepare your supporting documents

You may need to submit supporting documents with your application. It's a good idea to get started on these as soon as possible so you have plenty of time to submit your application.

To find out what documents you need, talk to the HREC contact at the HHS you want to do research at.

Step 4. Submit your application

• Submit your application online using the Ethics Review Manager (ERM).
• If requested, send a hard copy of your application to the HREC contact at the HHS you want to do research at.

Next steps

After the HREC has done their review, you’ll get an email or correspondence in ERM to let you know the outcome of your application.

If your research receives ethics approval, you’ll have reporting requirements. You can find other approved research templates that you might need to complete on the Medicines Australia and Medical Technology Association of Australia websites.