Information from Human Research Ethics Committee (HRECs) and their organisations is collected by the NHMRC through the process of HREC registration and through an annual reporting process.
Overview
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) (the National Statement) requires HRECs in Australia to register with the Australian Health Ethics Committee (AHEC) of the NHMRC. Each year, AHEC asks HRECs to complete a report on their activities over the last twelve months. Information regarding HRECs that is held by AHEC is used for a number of purposes.
What does the NHMRC do with the information it collects from HRECs?
The NHMRC uses the information it collects to:
- assess the suitability of the HREC for ongoing registration with NHMRC;
- monitor the activities of registered HRECs;
- provide support to HRECs and their organisations;
- assist AHEC in developing new guidelines and policies relevant to the ethical review system in Australia;
- provide reports to the Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner; and
- provide reports for use within the NHMRC.
- periodically publish aggregate, descriptive data about HRECs and their activities. The data that appears below is drawn from the HREC annual reports covering the period 1 July 2002 - 30 June 2003. It will be updated at the conclusion of the 2005-2006 annual report process.
- HREC Compliance Feedback (PDF, 88KB)
Access to the information collected from HRECs
A list of HRECs registered with the NHMRC (sorted by state and territory) is made publicly available to facilitate contact between researchers, sponsors and HRECs. HRECs are included on this list if they have registered with the NHMRC and are currently in operation. Inclusion on the list is not an indicator of performance, or compliance with the National Statement.
List of HRECs
Additional access to information about HRECs
AHEC encourages institutions and organisations that conduct research involving humans and have established HRECs to give serious consideration to making the existence, membership and other appropriate information about their HREC known publicly, by way of their annual report or by other appropriate means.