Regulation and the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes

The Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code) is adopted into legislation in all Australian jurisdictions. The Code has been developed and published by NHMRC since 1969. It is co-endorsed by the Australian Research Council, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and Universities Australia.

Review of the Code

NHMRC has consulted with state and territory governments, relevant Commonwealth Departments, and the co-endorsers of the Code (Australian Research Council, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and Universities Australia) about whether the 8th edition of the Code (2013, updated 2021) remains current and fit for purpose.

Following this consultation, NHMRC has concluded that a review of all sections of the Code is required. Key drivers for a review identified during this process included the need for the Code to:

• more fully reflect scientific advances in our understanding of animal sentience, animal wellbeing and welfare, and advances in technology
• continue to reflect changes in public attitudes
• remove potential ambiguity in the current language of the Code.

NHMRC will be leading a review of the Code, which will commence during the first half of 2025. The review will be overseen by NHMRC’s Animal Welfare Committee.

This webpage will be updated during the review to keep all stakeholders up to date on progress.

Stakeholder engagement and involvement

Stakeholders will have an opportunity to be involved in the review through public consultation. Stakeholders include investigators, animal carers, institutions, animal ethics committee members, veterinarians, peak bodies, animal advocacy groups, funders, government, and members of the Australian community.

Code Review contact list

To ensure that all interested parties have the opportunity to contribute to the public consultation process, NHMRC has created a Code Review contact list. All interested stakeholders are invited to submit their contact details to NHMRC at any time throughout the review process. NHMRC will use this contact list during the review to provide updates on the work. We will also use the NHMRC Tracker newsletter and social media channels to alert stakeholders to consultation processes as they arise.

Subscribe to keep up to date on the Code Review

Relevant Commonwealth legislation

Some aspects of the use of animals for scientific purposes are also regulated under Commonwealth legislation:

• Biosecurity Act 2015 and Export Control Act 2020 (administered by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) regulates the importation and export of animals and animal products
• Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (administered by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water) applies to international movements of endangered species, including endangered species used for research, under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).