Respect, research merit and integrity, justice, and beneficence are core values in the ethics of human research. The ethical relationship between researchers and research participants, and the wider community, is the ground on which human research is conducted.
The values and principles of Human Research Ethics are fully articulated in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.
This statement governs the work of a nationwide network of Human Research Ethics Committees. The University’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is the Christian Research Association (CRA) which has oversight of human research ethics throughout the University in accordance with the National Statement. This includes consideration and approval of applications for Human Research Ethics Approval. The Rev Emeritus Professor Philip Hughes is the executive officer of the CRA Ethics Committee and the Committee can be reached at secretary_HREC@cra.org.au
Who needs to apply for HREC clearance?
All academic staff, honorary researchers, HDR students, and Minor Thesis students undertaking research projects involving human participants must apply for HREC Ethics Approval in accordance with the National Statement and the University’s HREC Policy.
HREC Applications must be submitted through Divinity Portal.
All HREC information for Staff and Students is now at the Research Ethics ARK site.
HREC application due dates
HREC applications for projects with negligible or low risk may be submitted at any time for expedited approval by the HREC Executive Officer (usually a 1-2 week turnaround).
HREC applications for projects above low risk must be considered at the meetings of the full HREC in one of the three rounds each year. The application closing dates for each round are as below.
See the Research Ethics ARK site for more detailed information about project design and risk, as well as specific guidance for Minor Thesis students, and other resources to help with your application.