You must have approval to use animals for scientific purposes. The phrase ‘scientific purposes’ covers all research and teaching activities, including observational studies. This includes:

• Chief Investigator: The lead applicant for a project. The person who is responsible for the design, conduct and reporting of the project.
• Investigators: All individuals involved in activities that use animals must be named on a Charles Sturt University animal ethics authority and deemed competent in the procedures they perform.
• Students: Students must be supervised and attain competency before having unsupervised access to animals to ensure proper monitoring and care. Students are not permitted to make an application to the AEC as a Chief Investigator.
• Collaborators: Any collaborative projects involving animals, whether conducted at multiple establishments or involving investigators from different institutions, require a collaborative agreement and AEC approval.

Definition of an animal

The definition of an animal in the Code (Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes) is any live non-human vertebrate and cephalopods. That is:

• fish
• amphibians
• reptiles
• birds
• mammals
• squid
• octopus
• nautilus.

Exemption Applications

In some situations, working with animals, animal cadavers, animal cadaveric tissue and various locations may not require AEC approval. You may be eligible to submit an Exemption Application Form.

The use of “retrospective” data (i.e. data previously obtained without an Animal Ethics Committee authority) can in some instances also be considered using an Exemption Application. It is crucial to note that retrospective approval for studies that should have undergone prior review is not permissible under any circumstances. Please refer to the Retrospective Animal Data Guidelines.

Please contact the Animal Welfare Officer if you're not sure whether you need ethics approval.