Human Research Ethics Committee

• New Applications
• Guidelines and examples of Participant Information Sheets and Consent Forms
• Amendments
• Extension of Approval/Renewal
• Final Reports
• Forms
• Meeting Dates & Agenda Deadlines
• Committee Membership
• HREC policies - telephone interviewing, complaints
• National Guidelines
• Ethics Links

In Australia , research conducted in or by public institutions such as Universities and Government Departments that involves human participants must be approved by an accredited Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). People do not need to be physically involved to be considered participants; HREC approval is necessary for research ranging from examination of records containing personal information, to anonymous surveys and medical intervention.

The purpose of HRECs is to protect the welfare and rights of the participants in the research. A secondary aim is to facilitate research of benefit to the wider community. Information about why we have HRECs and how they operate can be found in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Research Involving Humans .

The University of Wollongong and the South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service (Southern Section) have two shared HREC's:

• the Health and Medical HREC
• the Humanities, Social Science and Behavioural HREC

These HRECs review research:

• Conducted by staff or students of the University
• Involving staff or students of the University as participants
• Conducted by staff of the SESIAHS (Southern Section)
• Involving staff or clients of the SESIAHS (Southern Section)

Last reviewed: 14 November, 2007