In Australia, the care and use of animals for scientific purposes is regulated under state and territory legislation. The Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code) is adopted into legislation in all Australian jurisdictions.
NHMRC is reviewing the 8th edition of Code (2013, updated 2021). The review commenced following NHMRC’s consultation 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).
The aim of the review is to ensure that the Code continues to provide guidance that is current, fit for purpose and reflects current scientific evidence and ethical and social views about the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.
NHMRC will be leading a review of the Code, with advice from NHMRC’s Animal Welfare Committee. The review will also be informed by advice from an Interdepartmental Committee (IDC). (Further information about the advisory committees is available under the ‘Committees’ tab.) The process will be overseen by NHMRC’s Research Committee and Council, with the final Code being approved and issued by NHMRC’s Chief Executive Officer.
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.
