The department's care and use of animals for scientific purposes is subject to licensing under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 which is underpinned by the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Code).
A number of researchers from the department work with live animals for scientific research, demonstration and training.
An animal ethics committee (AEC) determines whether the proposed use of animals is justified according to the principles of the Code, and then monitors the ongoing scientific activities. Members of animal ethics committees are diverse and include veterinarians, scientists, animal welfare advocates and community members. These committees must be one-third laypeople with no welfare or science background.
The AEC is principally for the department's own researchers, but applications from external bodies may be considered. External applicants should be aware that they must obtain their own scientific license and will need to complete a formal agreement with the AEC.
All projects involving the scientific use of animals must be approved by the relevant ethics committee prior to commencement. For more information about the AEC see our terms of reference.
The Principal Investigator (researcher) must first advise the Animal Ethics Office of their intention to submit an application to the department's AEC for review at their next committee meeting. Committee dates are listed on the meeting tab below.
The Animal Ethics Office recommends that submissions to the AEC be made at a minimum 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the activity. This is due to a department requirement that applications pass through our Animal Research Committee before they reach the AEC.
Funding bodies and investigators should be aware of this timeframe prior to trial commencement so that submission deadlines can be met.
Principal Investigators must complete the form ‘Animal Research Application DPIRD AEC (Externals Copy)’, which is for external researchers, or those without access to Dynamics. This form is available at the bottom of this page.
Detailed application guidelines, endorsed by both the animal ethics and research committees, are available to assist applicants. These guidelines are intended for use by all department researchers submitting proposals to the DPIRD AEC.
If you are a new researcher, you must complete Animal Welfare training and submit your certificate of completion to the Animal Ethics Office before you start using animals for scientific purposes.
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AEC Submission Guidelinespdf (710 KB)
The full submission and approval process can take up to 8 weeks. Please refer to the timeline below.
Late submissions may be accepted depending on the circumstances and at the Chairperson’s discretion, however it is not guaranteed. You must state a valid reason for late submission when submitting your application.
A scientific activity involving animal use cannot commence without formal written AEC approval.
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Timeframe |
Action |
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Minimum 8 weeks prior to activity |
Principal Investigator (researcher) to email their intention to submit a proposal for AEC approval at the next AEC meeting to animalethicsoffice@dpird.wa.gov.au. As soon as notification is received, the Animal Ethics Office (AEO) will advise the next upcoming submission date. These dates are also detailed in the committee meeting tab on this webpage. Before the relevant meeting deadline, Principal Investigators must email proposals to animalethicsoffice@dpird.wa.gov.au with:
or
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5 weeks prior |
Proposal checked by AEO. Some changes may be required to the welfare and statistical sections. Changes are not permitted after the submission due date for the ARC meeting. The Executive Officer of the AEO will contact the Principal Investigator for availability to attend the ARC meeting. |
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3 weeks prior |
ARC meeting occurs and the science of the proposal is discussed. Principal Investigator must attend the meeting and take notes on the changes required for approval. |
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2 weeks prior to submission date of the AEC meeting |
Principal Investigator must have made changes required by the ARC by this date and have notified the AEO. If not completed, the proposal will not be considered at the AEC meeting. No more changes to the proposal permitted. |
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2 weeks prior to the AEC meeting |
EO will contact Principal Investigator to arrange attendance at the AEC meeting and distribute Teams Link and further information. Agenda is circulated to AEC members. |
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AEC meeting |
AEC meeting occurs. Principal Investigators do not need to take notes. Within the same week, EO sends to the Principal Investigator details of any changes necessary to receive approval. The Principal Investigator decides when to make the changes and notify the AEO, but any trials involving animals cannot commence until final written approval is received. |
The AEC meets every 2 months, with the Animal Research Committee (ARC) meeting beforehand on the alternating months.
The ARC is responsible for analysing the scientific rigour of proposals. While this step is not a requirement of the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, many Principal Investigators find scientific feedback from the ARC helpful, and the department encourages submission to the ARC for good governance.
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Animal Ethics Committee meeting |
Animal Research Committee (ARC) meeting date |
Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) meeting date |
|---|---|---|
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2025-1 |
Submission due: 6 January 2025 Meeting: 17 January 2025
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Submission due: 28 January 2025 Meeting: 12 February 2025 |
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AAUR 2024 review |
N/A |
Submission due: 20 January 2025 * Meeting: 12 March 2025 |
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2025-2 |
Submission due: 24 February 2025 Meeting: 7 March 2025 |
Submission due: 17 March 2025 Meeting: 2 April 2025 |
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2025-3 |
Submission due: 14 April 2025 Meeting: 2 May 2025 |
Submission due: 12 May 2025 Meeting: 4 June 2025 |
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2025-4 |
Submission due: 16 June 2025 Meeting: 27 June 2025 |
Submission due: 7 July 2025 Meeting: 23 July 2025 |
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2025-5 |
Submission due: 4 August 2025 Meeting: 15 August 2025 |
Submission due: 25 August 2025 Meeting: 10 September 2025 |
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2025-6 |
Submission due: 15 September 2025 Meeting: 26 September 2025 |
Submission due: 6 October 2025 Meeting: 22 October 2025 |
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2025-7 |
Submission due: 3 November 2025 Meeting: 14 November2025 |
Submission due: 24 November 2025 Meeting: 10 December 2025 |
*Annual Animal Use Reports (AAUR) will be reviewed at the dedicated AEC meeting on 12 March 2025.
AAURs for 2024 must be submitted using the current template to animalethicsoffice@dpird.wa.gov.au no later than 20 January 2025. AAURs can be submitted earlier if there is no further animal use for the remainder of 2024.
For additional information and current templates contact the Animal Ethics Office on email animalethicsoffice@dpird.wa.gov.au
New researchers need to complete Animal Welfare training and submit a certificate of completion to the Animal Ethics Office before using animals for scientific purposes (or before the trial commences).
Forms and documents
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AEC Terms of Referencedocx (699 KB)
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AEC Submission guidelinespdf (710 KB)
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AEC Research application formdocx (1.12 MB)
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AEC Letter of Agreement - owner consent formdocx (63 KB)
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AEC Evidence of competencies formdocx (546 KB)
For approved projects
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AEC Amendment request for an approved projectdocx (123 KB)
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AEC Annual animal use reportdocx (86 KB)
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AEC Self monitoring reportdocx (551 KB)
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AEC Unexpected adverse event reportdocx (58 KB)