1 Function

The function of the Animal Ethics Committee shall be to review research proposals involving animal experimentation, and to advise of any ethical considerations for those proposals.

2 Membership

The membership of the Animal Ethics Committee shall be:

• Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) or nominee (Chairperson)

• In accordance with the following National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (Section 2.2.2 and 2.2.3):

  Category A	a person with qualifications in veterinary science and with experience relevant to the activities of the institution. Veterinarians who lack this experience must familiarise themselves with the biology and clinical characteristics of the species of animals used.
  Category B	a suitably qualified person with substantial recent experience in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities. This will usually entail possession of a higher degree in research.
  Category C	a person with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals, who is not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution, and who is not involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Veterinarians with specific animal welfare interest and experience may meet the requirements of this Category. While not representing an animal welfare organisation, the person should, where possible, be selected on the basis of active membership of, and nomination by, such an organisation.
  Category D	a person who is both independent of the institution and who has never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their under-graduate education. Category D members should be viewed by the wider community as bringing a completely independent view to the AEC, and must not fit the requirements of any other Category.
  Category E	a person responsible for the routine care of animals from within the institution. (This membership is not mandatory).

2.1 Animal Research Ethics Membership

3 Other Policy Information