Approval of Health Research (8.3)

8.3.1. Certain health research proposals require ethical approval by a Health and Disability Ethics Committee. As an Institutional Ethics Committee approved by the Health Research Council Ethics Committee, AUTEC is able to hear some health research proposals. More information may be found using the flow chart titled 'Do I need Ethics Approval' on the front page of this Research Ethics website.

8.3.2. Any application which is required to be submitted to a Health and Disability Ethics Committee will not be reviewed for institutional purposes by AUTEC until the HDEC review has taken place.

8.3.3. Applicants must complete the HDEC Application Form which is available through the links to the left. Where a locality assessment is required for the HDEC approval, applicants should use the EA5 form.

8.3.4. Applicants will advise AUTEC of the Health and Disability Ethics Committee approval and provide required details before the research begins on Form EA5 Application to AUTEC of External Ethics Committee Approval and Locality Authorisation for a Health and Disability Committee (Refer Appendix K) within two months of approval or before data gathering begins, whichever is earlier. AUTEC reserves the right to comment on the approved application and to require further information or action if, in AUTEC’s opinion, AUT’s interests are at issue.

8.3.5. Summary regional application data will be recorded in the AUTEC database and reported as part of the Annual Report.

8.3.6. Applicants are required to keep AUTEC informed of all changes approved by the Regional Ethics Committee and to send a copy of all reports to maintain accurate records.