The care and use of animals in Western Australia (WA) are subject to the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2002 (the Act), which provides for the welfare, safety, and health of animals used for scientific purposes.
An important part of the Act is the requirement of institutions and environmental scientists using animals for scientific purposes to be licensed and to operate according to the Code.
The WAEC allows institutions and environmental scientists without access to an institutional animal ethics committee to operate in accordance with the conditions of their Scientific Use Licence.
The WAEC determines whether the proposed use of animals is justified according to the principles of the Code.
The WAEC uses the standard operating procedures (SOPs) from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) for fauna survey and monitoring activities to assist scientific establishments and environmental scientists in preparing their applications and to ensure projects follow AEC-endorsed guidelines.
View the SOPs on DBCA's website
The SOPs are also used by the WAEC to efficiently assess proposed projects to ensure that activities involving fauna are undertaken to a consistent standard.
The WAEC is also responsible for monitoring the ongoing scientific use of animals in approved projects.
Environmental scientists in WA who do not have access to an institutional AEC and who are carrying out or intend to carry out scientific studies involving the use of fauna are required to have a Formal Agreement with the WAEC and then apply to DPIRD for a Scientific Use Licence. Projects cannot commence until it has been assessed and approved by the WAEC.
The WAEC was established in February 2022. It includes veterinarians, scientists, animal welfare advocates and members of the community, in line with the Code, to ensure the appropriate and representative assessment of scientific projects involving the use of animals.
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WAEC Committee meeting dates - 2025docx (549 KB)
Forms and documents
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WAEC Applicant guidedocx (880 KB)
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WAEC New project application formdocx (962 KB)
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WAEC Amendment request formdocx (634 KB)
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WAEC Adverse event report formdocx (547 KB)
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WAEC Project completion report formdocx (560 KB)
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WAEC Personnel competency formdocx (84 KB)
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WAEC Preferred euthanasia techniquesdocx (626 KB)
Contact us
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Wildlife Animal Ethics Committee