Protecting the welfare of animals used in research
The primary role of Macquarie University’s Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is to ensure that the use of animals is justified and has scientific merit.
The committee protects the welfare of animals used in research and teaching by incorporating the principles of replacement, reduction, and refinement (also known as ‘the three ‘R’s’):
- Replacement of animals with other methods
- Reduction in the number of animals used
- Refinement of techniques used to reduce the impacts on animals.
Before any research on animals is undertaken, an application must be submitted, reviewed, and approved by the AEC, in line with the NSW Animal Research Act 1985 and the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition (2013).
Macquarie University uses animals in research towards the advancement of science and medicine, in the interest of the health and well-being of humans, animals, conservation and the environment. Animals are only used in research and teaching where there is no alternative, and only with strong ethical and scientific justification. Macquarie University ensures that the highest standard of animal welfare is maintained across our respective research facilities. Animals have an intrinsic value that must be respected and are sentient creatures with the capacity to feel pain. The interests of animals must therefore be taken into consideration.All researchers working with animals have access to veterinary support to ensure that they meet the requirements of the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition (2013).
The AEC must constitute four categories of membership. One third of the committee must comprise Category C and D members.
- Category A – persons with qualifications and experience in veterinary science.
- Category B – persons with substantial experience in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities.
- Category C – persons external to the University with a demonstrable commitment to and experience in furthering the welfare of animals.
- Category D – persons external to the University who have never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities and who represent the views of the wider community.
Researchers must follow relevant legislation, other ethics guidelines, policies, and procedures established by the institution and the AEC. Download the AEC Terms of Reference.
The Australian Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia was developed by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) and launched in August 2023.
Signatories of the Openness Agreement must demonstrate their commitment to be open about the use of animals in research and teaching, and support well-informed public discussion and awareness of the reasons why animals are used, the benefits derived, the limitations that apply, and the steps taken to minimise harm.
Macquarie University, as a signatory of the Openness Agreement since its launch in 2023, has pledged to fulfill the four Commitments:
- We will be open about our involvement in the use of animals.
- We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals.
- We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research or teaching involving the use of animals.
- We will report annually on our efforts to improve openness in our use of animals
PREPARE guidelines: (Planning Research and Experimental Procedures on Animals): Recommendations for Excellence. PREPARE covers the three broad areas which determine the quality of the preparation for animal studies: formulation, dialogue between scientists and the animal facility, and quality control of the various components in the study.
ARRIVE guidelines (Animal Research: Reporting of In Vivo Experiments) are a checklist of recommendations for the full and transparent reporting of research involving animals – maximising the quality and reliability of published research, and enabling others to better scrutinise, evaluate and reproduce it.
Click to download the PREPRARE checklist.
Click to download the ARRIVE guidelines.
Education and training
Best practice, the law, and its interpretation change with time. Accordingly, The Code requires that researchers receive training regarding the ethical, social and scientific issues involved in the use of animals for research or teaching and that such training is updated regularly.
Who should complete the Training?
Everyone listed in a Macquarie University Animal Research Authority (ARA) must provide proof of attendance at an approved animal welfare course. New researchers will be asked to complete ComPass training prior to addition to ARAs. It is a mandatory requirement that training should be refreshed every five years: established researchers should also complete ComPass.
ComPass
This free online course covers the Australian Code and NZ Guide and welfare issues relating to animal use in research and teaching and is available through ComPass on the ANZCCART website. Successful completion of Phase one of the course and its quiz fulfills the mandated basic training needs of researchers and teachers using animals as well as members of Animal Ethics Committees (AEC) in Australia and NZ (except AEC members in Victoria who are required to complete the Animal Welfare Victoria training).
Phase 1: Core Mandated Training for AEC Members and Animal Users.
Phase 2: Competency Training and Knowledge Base
- Aseptic Technique
- Minimally Invasive Techniques Without Anaesthesia, Including Wildlife Trapping
- Anaesthesia for Minor Procedures
- Anaesthesia for Major Procedures
- Surgery Principles, Methods and Materials
- Performing a Systematic Post-Mortem Examination
- Establishing and Managing a Rodent Breeding Colony
- Maximising Welfare and Behavioural Assessment in Research Animals
- Training Materials for Wildlife 1 - Researchers' and AEC Members Guide to Improved Welfare
- Training Materials for Wildlife 2
- Farm Animal Welfare
Phase 3: ComPass Technical Skills Training Guides and Resources
Phase 4: University Veterinarian Resources
Wildlife: Training Materials
If you have technical issues, please email: anzccart@adelaide.edu.au.
Once you have completed ComPass Phase 1 and received a certificate of completion. Please forward your certificate to animal.ethics@mq.edu.au for the Animal Ethics Secretariat to keep on file.
The term 'collaborative' research includes animal research projects that are carried out under informal collaborative arrangements at more than one institution.
Under the Code, Macquarie University's AEC must be informed about collaborative research projects involving Macquarie University researchers even if they are being conducted at other institutions in Australia or overseas (see The Code)
Please note that before any work commences each AEC must approve, or delegate approval of, scientific and teaching activities being conducted by members of its institutions.
If your research is likely to involve collaboration with other institutions, please contact the Animal Ethics Secretariat at animal.ethics@mq.edu.au.
For collaborative work that has already been approved by the AEC of another institution, and involves Macquarie University staff and/or students, the following must be submitted to the Macquarie University AEC (via the Forms for Research Applications (FoRA) System) as notification of collaborative work:
- A signed copy of the application exactly as it was submitted to the Institutional AEC.
- Copies of all correspondence between the researcher and the Institutional AEC.
- Notification of all approved changes to the project (including ARA renewals, amendments, progress reports, changes to personnel etc) from the host AEC.
- A copy of the letter of final approval and any relevant approval documentation from the Institutional AEC.
- It is the responsibility of Macquarie University Collaborators to ensure the Macquarie University AEC is kept informed in this way.
Meeting dates and closing dates for submissions for 2026
All submissions to the AEC (including new applications, requests for amendment/addition of new personnel, progress and final reports, etc.) must be received a minimum of 2 and a half weeks prior to the meeting (i.e. on or before the Closing Dates for submissions). This is essential to allow sufficient time for processing and thorough review of submissions by the AEC prior to meetings. It also provides opportunity for applicants to clarify queries the Committee may have regarding their submission.
Deadline for submissions | AEC meeting dates |
|---|---|
Monday 19 January 2026 | Thursday 19 February 2026 |
Monday 23 February 2026 | Thursday 19 March 2026** |
Monday 23 March 2026 | Thursday 16 April 2026 |
Tuesday 20 April 2026 | Thursday 14 May 2026** |
Monday 18 May 2026 | Thursday 18 June 2026 |
Monday 22 June 2026 | Thursday 16 July 2026** |
Monday 20 July 2026 | Thursday 13 August 2026 |
Monday 17 August 2026 | Thursday 17 September 2026** |
Monday 21 September 2026 | Thursday 15 October 2026** |
Monday 16 October 2026 | Thursday 12 November 2026 |
Monday 16 November 2026 | Thursday 10 December 2026 |