Animal Ethics

​Animal Ethics

The NSLHD Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) considers the ethical acceptability of all research protocols involving animals conducted under the jurisdiction of Northern Sydney Local Health District.

The AEC operates in accordance with the NSW Animal Research Act (1985), Animal Research Regulation (2010) and the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (8th Edition 2013).

If you intend to conduct research at the Kearns Facility, Kolling Institute, your new submission or amendment MUST be discussed with the Animal House Manager at least two weeks prior to the meeting closing dates (per the submission deadlines). 

Click here for AEC submission deadlines and meeting dates. The AEC Executive committee meets on the same day as the Full AEC. Submissions to the executive committee must be received by the Research Office no later than 12pm on the Monday preceding the meeting.

​Standard Forms for AEC Submissions: Please note the use of these forms is mandatory for all submissions to the Committee.
​ ​AEC New Research Application Form​​​​
​ External​ Users Application Form​​ (this must be submitted with the application form for studies with investigators not employed by University of Sydney or NSLHD)
​AEC Monitoring Sheet Sample (note that this MUST be tailored to your project and not simply copied over to your application form)
​Application form​ for new teaching projects and Teaching Authority​​
​AEC ​Teaching Course Participant Information Sheet​
​AEC Teaching Enrolled Course Participant Register
​AEC Application form for production of antibodies
​AEC Protocol Amendment to Approved Study Form
​AEC Change of Personnel Form​
​AEC Animal Projects Annual p​rogress report (or final report) form​
​AEC Adverse or Unexpected Event Report form
​AEC Drug Administration Monitoring Sheet​​​​​​

Information regarding Standard Operating Procedures

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), developed by the Kearns Facility and endorsed by the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), are now available (as of March 2016). Researchers undertaking work in the Kearns Facility may now simply refer to the SOPs in their applications to the AEC, rather than describing standard procedures in detail. It is hoped that this will increase consistency in applications, reduce queries, and make it easier for researchers to complete their submissions to the AEC.
If Kearns Facility Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are being used for any procedures undertaken as part of an animal project it is sufficient to state this in the application for, for example:
"IP injections will be carried out as per Kearns Facility SOP #4,
CO2 euthanasia will be conducted as per Kearns Facility SOP #2"
Where there is ANY deviation from the SOPs for any standard procedures, this must be clearly described in the application form, and the rationale for not adhering to the SOP must be provided.
The SOPs are available on request from the Kearns Facility.

Guidance for submitting your application - Ethical Principles for Animal Research

• Australian Code of Practice - Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes - 8th edition 2013

• Animal Research Act 1985

• Animal Research Regulation 2010

• All current NHMRC publications regarding Animal Ethics are available on the NHMRC website, as well as links to rescinded publications

• Animal Ethics Infolink​ is a joint initiative of the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Animal Research Review Panel. It contains a wealth of information relating to animal ethics, as well as links to all relevant legislation and NSW guidelines

• ACLAM Statement on Rodent Euthanasia

• Glossary of Scientific Terms​

• Guidelines - Anaesthesia & Analgesia in Pigs

• Guidelines - Anaesthesia & Analgesia in Sheep

Please contact the Research Office, if you require further information regarding a submission to the AEC.