Human research ethics
Human research is conducted with/or about people, their biological materials, and/or data (information) about them. It therefore includes a broad range of activities.
In order to conduct research with or about people a project must have received prior approval from a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). Please contact the Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety team if you are not sure if your research requires ethics approval from the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee.
Getting your project approved
New Human Research Ethics application process
With the release of PRIME, all new Human Research ethics applications and any application must be submitted using the following process:
- Complete the relevant forms:
- Download Application Form (DOC 59KB) (last updated 09.09.2020) (mandatory for all projects)
- Download Project Description (DOC 54KB) (last updated) (mandatory for all projects, except clinical trials please use Protocol (Spirit Checklist DOC 138KB)
- Complete Study documentation. For example, Participant information statement and consent forms, advertisements, letters of support, surveys, etc. Please refer to the templates tab for other supporting document templates)
- Log in to PRIME Researcher portal to create a new Human Ethics Application:
- Under Ethics Applications, click “+ New Human Ethics Application”
- Add all researcher personnel
- Upload all completed forms and study documentation (as separate documents)
- Click on “Submit to Research Office” by the relevant closing date (see below)
If you would like us to pre-review your application, please submit your application using the above process by the advertised pre-review cut-off dates.
To help with training and feedback please see below:
- Training opportunities:
- Schedule a personalised session for help with your first submission through the Portal;
- Attend PRIME drop in session: Our weekly Monday drop in sessions will resume 17 January 2022 at midday https://latrobe.zoom.us/j/84849823999
- If you would like to book a time to discuss your needs and preferred option/s please contact the Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety Team:
Contact the Ethics team
For any questions or concerns, please contact Human Ethics or +61 3 9479 1443
Time to approval
This table shows the average time to approval (business days) for projects submitted to each of the Human Ethics committees.
Committee | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
---|---|---|---|
ASSC | 19 days / 86 projects | 21 days / 95 projects | 24 / 93 projects |
SHE | 19 days / 141 projects | 18 days / 188 projects | 22 days / 200 projects |
UHEC | 29 days / 109 projects | 26 days / 108 projects | 27 days / 157 projects |
Meeting closing dates - all committees
*Subject to responses & post-approval requests (e.g., modifications/requests for amendment etc.): Review of requests for 2022 will commence on 17 January 2022.
Human research new & deferred ethics applications - pre-review, closing and meeting dates
Pre-review cut-off (voluntary) *Please note this service is currently limited | Application deadline | Committee meeting |
---|---|---|
Midday Monday 10 January 2022 | Midday Tuesday 18 January 2022 | Thursday 3 February 2022 |
Midday Monday 24 January 2022 | Midday Tuesday 1 February 2022 | Thursday 17 February 2022 |
Midday Monday 7 February 2022 | Midday Tuesday 15 February 2022 | Thursday 3 March 2022 |
Midday Monday 21 February 2022 | Midday Tuesday 1 March 2022 | Thursday 17 March 2022 |
Midday Tuesday 14 March 2022 | Midday Tuesday 22 March 2022 | Thursday 7 April 2022 |
Midday Monday 28 March 2022 | Midday Tuesday 5 April 2022 | Thursday 21 April 2022 |
Midday Tuesday 11 April 2022 | Midday Tuesday 20 April 2022 | Thursday 5 May 2022 |
Midday Tuesday 26 April 2022 | Midday Tuesday 3 May 2022 | Thursday 19 May 2022 |
Midday Monday 9 May 2022 | Midday Tuesday 17 May 2022 | Thursday 2 June 2022 |
Midday Monday 23 May 2022 | Midday Tuesday 31 May 2022 | Thursday 16 June 2022 |
Midday Tuesday 14 June 2022 | Midday Tuesday 21 June 2022 | Thursday 7 July 2022 |
Midday Monday 27 June 2022 | Midday Tuesday 5 July 2022 | Thursday 21 July 2022 |
Midday Monday 11 July 2022 | Midday Tuesday 19 July 2022 | Thursday 4 August 2022 |
Midday Monday 25 July 2022 | Midday Tuesday 2 August 2022 | Thursday 18 August 2022 |
Midday Monday 8 August 2022 | Midday Tuesday 16 August 2022 | Thursday 1 September 2022 |
Midday Monday 22 August 2022 | Midday Tuesday 30 August 2022 | Thursday 15 September 2022 |
Midday Monday 12 September 2022 | Midday Tuesday 20 September 2022 | Thursday 6 October 2022 |
Midday Monday 26 September 2022 | Midday Tuesday 4 October 2022 | Thursday 20 October 2022 |
Midday Monday 10 October 2022 | Midday Tuesday 18 October 2022 | Thursday 3 November 2022 |
Midday Monday 24 October 2022 | Midday Tuesday 1 November 2022 | Thursday 17 November 2022 |
Midday Monday 7 November 2022 | Midday Tuesday 15 November 2022 | Thursday 1 December 2022 |
Midday Monday 21 November 2022 | Midday Tuesday 29 November 2022 | Thursday 15 December 2022 |
Human research subject to & post-approval requests - closing and meeting dates
Closing Date | Meeting Date |
---|---|
Midday Thursday - every week | Tuesday the following week |
How to apply - research approved by an external HREC
This process is used when La Trobe University staff and students receive ethics approval from another NHMRC registered Human Research Ethics Committee.
With the release of PRIME, all new externally approved applications must be submitted using the following process:
- Complete the relevant forms:
- Download the Externally Approved or Request to Transfer Application Form (DOC 53KB) (last updated 04.12.2020)
- Prepare a copy of the approved ethics application and all support documents submitted to the external HREC, ensuring that the title of the study on the application form matches the one in the request email.
- Prepare a copy of the final approval letter from the external HREC, with all conditions of approval included.
- Log in to PRIME Researcher portal to create a new Externally Approved Application:
- Under Ethics Applications, click “+ New Externally Approved Application”
- Add all researcher personnel
- Upload all completed forms and study documentation (as separate documents)
- Click on “Submit to Research Office” by the relevant closing date (see below)
Please refer to below guidelines to help you with the preparation of the application.
Complaints and feedback
For concerns about:
- an approved project
- the conduct of a researcher
- the conduct of the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) or Low Risk sub-committees
- or wish to provide feedback
Please contact the Senior Manager Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety
T: +61 3 9479 1443
Legislation, codes and guidelines
Research Integrity
- Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018
- National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (Updated 2018)
- Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Victoria)
- The Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (Victoria)
- Privacy Impact Assessment Template – Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
- Checklist for Sharing Personal Information
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
- Principles for accessing and using publicly funded data for health research
- Australian National Data Service (ANDS)
- Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies
- Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities
- Keeping research on track II: A companion document to Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders
- Indigenous Cultural Protocols for Producing Indigenous Australian Music, Writing, Visual Arts, Media Arts and Performing Arts (Australia Council for the Arts 2007)
- Autism CRC Inclusive Research Practice Guides and Checklists for Autism Spectrum Research
- The Australian Clinical Trials Handbook (Therapeutic Goods Administration)
- Ethical Considerations in Quality Assurance and Evaluation Activities 2014
- Child Ethics
- Victorian Health Records Act
- Principles and Guidelines for Ethical Research and Evaluation in Development
Ethical Conduct in Human Research
Privacy and Data Protection
- Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Victoria)
- Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (Victoria)
- Privacy Impact Assessment Template – Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner
- Checklist for Sharing Personal Information
- Office of the Australian Information Commissioner
- Principles for accessing and using publicly funded data for health research
- Australian National Data Service (ANDS)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders: Guidelines and Protocols
- Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies
- Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities
- Keeping Research on Track II: a Guide for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples About Health Research Ethics (NHMRC 2018)
- Indigenous Cultural Protocols for Producing Indigenous Australian Music, Writing, Visual Arts, Media Arts and Performing Arts (Australia Council for the Arts 2007)
Autism Spectrum Research
Clinical Trials
Quality Assurance
Research Involving Children
Other
Expression of interest - Human Ethics Committee Member
The La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee (UHEC) and College Sub-committees are seeking expressions of interest.
In accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (updated 2018) (the National Statement), in addition to the Chairperson, the membership of the UHEC and College sub-committees consist of the following:
- lay people who have no affiliation with the institution and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work;
- person with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counselling or treatment of people; for example, an allied health professional;
- person who performs a pastoral care role in the community;
- lawyer, where possible who is not engaged to advise the institution; and
- people with current human research experience that is relevant to La Trobe.
We are seeking expressions of interest for Categories 3, 4 and 5.
In this position you will be required to:
- Attend at least half of the scheduled meetings in the calendar.
- Review applications and make recommendations regarding the ethical acceptability of projects being undertaken by La Trobe University staff and students.
- Ensure that any comments submitted about a project are relevant to the National Statement and other relevant guidelines and regulations.
- Maintain confidentiality of the committee’s proceedings. All members are required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement prior to commencement of duties for the committee.
Benefits include:
- Continuing professional development
- The opportunity to contribute to raising the research profile of La Trobe University
- Light refreshments are provided at each meeting
Modifying an approved project
Modifying an approved project
If you intend to modify your project you will be required to submit a modification request form. This can include, but is not limited to, changes to the following:
- Recruitment, methodology and/or funding
- Participant information statement and/or consent form/s (PICF)
- Advertisements
- Approval time period, i.e., if your ethics approval is due to expire and you require an extension
How do I submit a modification request?
- Complete Modification Form [DOC 60KB] (last updated 09.12.2020)
- Prepare a tracked and clean copy of all updated documents
- Log in to PRIME Researcher portal to create a new modification request:
- To find your ethics project click on “My Ethics Approvals” tile and select the Ethics Approval Number you wish to modify,
- At the top of the screen the “down” arrow and click “Create Modification”
- Upload completed modification form and updated documentation (including tracked and clean copies)
- At the top of the screen click on “Submit to Research Office”
Annual Final and Safety Reports
Annual and final reports
- Download and complete the annual/final report [DOC 61KB] (last updated 10.09.2020)
- Log in to PRIME Researcher portal to lodge an annual/final report:
- To find your ethics project click on “My Ethics Approvals” tile and select the Ethics Approval Number you wish to submit an annual or final report for
- At the top of the ethics record, click the “down” arrow and click “Create Annual Report” or “Create Final Report”
- Upload completed annual/final report form
- In the progress bar at the top of the page, select "Review by Research Office" and then click "Mark as Current Status" to the right.
Safety Reports and Incidents
- Complete the relevant Serious Safety Incident Report:
- TEMPLATE – Safety Report (general) (DOC 54KB) (last updated 10.09.2020)
- TEMPLATE – Safety Report for medical Devices
- TEMPLATE – Protocol Violation Report (DOC 50KB) (last updated 10.09.2020)
- Log in to PRIME Researcher portal to lodge an annual/final report:
- To find your ethics project click on “My Ethics Approvals” tile and select the Ethics Approval Number you wish to submit a Safety Report/Incident,
- At the top of the ethics record click the “down” arrow and click “Create UAE/Safety Report”
- Upload completed Safety/Incident Report
- In the progress bar at the top of the page, select "Review by Research Office" and then click "Mark as Current Status" to the right
Templates
The following templates can be used as a starting point for your PICFs (combines Participant Information Statement, Consent From and Withdrawal of Consent Form):
Template PICF - General [DOC 63KB]
Template PICF - Online Survey [DOC 59KB]
Template PICF - Parent/Guardian [DOC 64KB]
Template PICF- Databank [DOC 59KB]
Template PICF - Clinical Trials [DOC 67KB]
Template PICF - Clinical Trials Parent/Guardian [DOC 68KB]
Template Advertisement (last updated 20.01.2021) [DOC 5MB]
Template Letter of Support [DOC 25KB]
Template Letter of Invitation [DOC 64KB]
FAQs and Guidance
COVID-19 FAQs and Guidance
COVID-19 Guidelines for human research on campus
Commencing or resuming on-campus research involving people
- Complete a COVID-19 risk assessment, including risk mitigation strategies (please take note of the risk assessment table below);
- Complete the Return to campus research risk assessment proforma;
- Submit modification request/new application to Human Ethics Committee with a justification why the face-to-face approach is required and cannot be conducted remotely. The above mentioned COVID-19 risk assessment and Return to campus research risk assessment proforma need to be provided as part of your modification request/new application;
- Once ethics modification/new ethics application approval is received, projects will require Head of School and APVCRIE approval as part of the priority research process. You will need to present your Campus research proforma, ethics approval and Return to campus research risk assessment proforma,
- LTU COVID safety protocols need to be communicated to the participants prior to entering campus and this information should form part of the Participant Information Statement.
Research modifications to accommodate COVID-19 requirements
- The Ethics Committee and Principal Investigators should be undertaking contingency planning to address the potential impact of COVID-19 on researchers and research participants.
- Review of your current projects should be considered, and if changes are required, are done so via a modification request.
- For new projects, ensure your projects contain contingencies during COVID-19 as well as post-COVID-19.
- Contingency planning should include:
- priority: assessment of the importance of and the risks associated with continuing the research study as designed or with necessary modifications. Responses could include continuing the research study in its present form, conducting the research in a modified form, postponing the research or closing the research.
- participation: assessment of the ability of participants to participate in the research study in accordance with protocol requirements and consideration of alternative models for participation that would not compromise the integrity of the research study.
- capacity: assessment of the resources available for continuing the research study, including research staff, research support staff, other support staff, space, equipment, supplies, etc. For health and medical research, a component of a capacity assessment will be consideration of the need to re-allocate research staff to clinical care and other areas of patient support.
- Contingency planning will need to be an ongoing process.
- Please also visit below intranet sites for additional resources:
Risk | Mitigation Strategies |
---|---|
Participant has COVID19; could infect researcher | Prior to study visit
While attending the study visit
|
Researcher may have undiagnosed COVID19; could infect participant |
|
COVID19 virus in campus laboratory or on equipment |
|
COVID-19 Guidelines for human research in the community
Commencing or resuming community-based research involving people
- Check DHHS website to confirm if the setting you wish to conduct your research in has resumed for face-to-face visits;
- Complete a COVID-19 risk assessment, including risk mitigation strategies (please take note of the risk assessment table below);
- Submit modification request/new application to Human Ethics Committee with a justification why the face-to-face approach is required and cannot be conducted remotely. The COVID-19 risk assessment needs to be provided as part of your modification request/new application.
- Once ethics modification/new ethics application approval is received, projects will require Head of School and APVCRIE approval as part of the priority research process.
Research modifications to accommodate COVID-19 requirements
It may be necessary to make modifications to your approved ethics application or draft ethics application to accommodate COVID-19 requirements:
- The Principal Investigators, and where appropriate industry partners, should be undertaking contingency planning to address the potential impact of COVID-19 on projects and research participants.
- Review of your current research should occur. If changes are required, please submit a modification request to the approving Ethics Committee (this may not always be La Trobe). Note: If the project is externally approved, the La Trobe Ethics Committee should be notified of the modification once approved by the external Ethics Committee.
- Please note, based on current government and/or organisational restrictions, sometimes the project may be delayed or postponed.
- To reduce the number of potential future modification requests it is recommended you outline contingency plans during COVID-19 and post COVID-19 (if applicable).
- Contingency planning outlined in modification requests and new ethics applications should include:
- Priority: Assessment of the benefits and risks associated with continuing the research either as designed or with necessary modifications.
- Participation: Assessment of the capability of participants to participate in the research and consideration of alternative models for participation that would not compromise the integrity of the research study.
- Capacity: Assessment of the resources available for continuing the research during COVID19, including research staff, research support staff, other support staff, space, equipment, supplies, etc.
Contingency planning will need to be an ongoing process, that complies with evolving national and state-specific COVID-19 measures (DHHS COVID-19 website)
Risk | Mitigation Strategies |
---|---|
Participant may have undiagnosed COVID-19 and does not know; could infect researcher | Prior to study visit
While attending the study visit
|
Researcher may have undiagnosed COVID-19; could infect participant | Prior to attending the study visit
While attending the study visit
|
COVID-19 requirements at other organisations |
|
Research Specific Risks (list) |
|
Zoom vs MS Teams for data collection
The advice from La Trobe Information Services is that Zoom can be used for non-confidential matters (including research). However, anything that is highly confidential should be conducted via Teams. Tips on how to increase security using Zoom can be found at on the La Trobe Information Services website.
To use Microsoft Teams the recipient must have an Office 365 account (this account doesn’t have to be a La Trobe Office 365 account for it to work). This means some research participants won’t be able to log in via Teams if they do not have a 365 account. The Ethics Committee should take this into consideration in addition to the highly confidential nature of the research interview when reviewing projects.
Cisco Webex is also another secure option. This can be used by people external to La Trobe without any signin, however your research participants will need to download the Cisco app.
eConsent
To replace paper Participant Information Statement and Consent Forms with Electronic informed consent (eConsent), eConsent must provide the same information, but in an electronic format. It is important to note that eConsent does not replace the important discussion between the participant and research team about the nature of the project and what the participant will be asked to do and why.
eConsent can be implemented by La Trobe research staff and students in the following ways (please note this advice was based on TransCelerate eConsent guidelines):
- Use of RedCap (contact redcap-admin@latrobe.edu.au) ; AND
- Telephone/Video Call; OR
- Use videos and/or Audio over your PICF (see TransCelerate eConsent guidelines)
Good clinical practice (GCP) training
GCP is an international ethical and scientific quality standard for designing, conducting, recording and reporting of clinical trials that involve human participants. It is recommended that anyone involved in the conduct of research involving human participants consider completing this training.
The Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety team do not have scheduled GCP training sessions for the remaining of the year. However, researchers can participate online GCP training and obtain training certificate via Genesis Research Services (https://genesisresearchservices.com/education/gcp-ich-course/). The online GCP training is a self-placed online training option with a focus on the application of the GCP principles in a global setting. It takes approximately 2-4 hours to complete and it is free of charge.
Participant Reimbursement
Ethics FAQs and Guidance
Do I need human research ethics approval?
All La Trobe staff and research students who conduct research projects will require human research ethics approval if they intend to conduct research or research activities involving the following:
- engagement with human participants;
- collection and/or use of previously collected biological material (e.g. obtained from person including tissue, blood, urine, sputum and any derivative from these including cell lines. This does not include non-human biological material such as micro-organisms that live on or in a person;
- artefacts or archival material;
- irrespective of the level of risk of the activity, researchers must have valid human research ethics approval in place prior to commencement of research (National Statement, Chapters 4 and 5) and Australian state-based Human Tissue Acts).
Types of activities that may not require ethics approval
Conducting quality assurance (QA) and evaluation activities does not required human research ethics approval even when such activities may utilise research methodologies. An activity where the primary purposes is to monitor or improve the quality of service delivered by an individual or an organisation (e.g. to improve the quality of a teaching program or instructional method) is a QA activity. Evaluation is used to make judgements, usually about the effectiveness, efficiency and/or appropriateness of an activity. In cases where a QA or evaluation activity forms part of or transforms into research, a human research ethics approval must be acquired. A useful rule of thumb is: if the findings are only to be disseminated 'in-house' then ethics approval is probably not necessary, but if they are to be presented to wider audiences via conferences, seminars or journals then ethics approval is almost certainly needed.
Regardless of whether an activity is research, QA or evaluation, all participants involved in the activity should receive optimal care and any potential risks, burden, inconvenience or possible breach of their privacy must be carefully considered and addressed.
If you are unsure whether or not ethics approval is needed, please contact Human Ethics.
How do I judge if my research project is negligible risk, low risk or above low risk?
La Trobe has streamlined its processes to use the same application form, project description, templates and closing dates for all projects, regardless of level of risk. This reduces paperwork in the event that your project risk level is re-classified and ensures your project is reviewed via the fastest routes to receive ethics approval. There are provisions within the National Statement (Chapter 4 and 5) that allow negligible and low risk research to be reviewed and approval by a body other than the Humans Research Ethics Committee. At La Trobe, both the negligible and low risk applications are reviewed by one of the College based Low-Risk Sub-Committees.
Risk is determined by reviewing the potential harm and the steps you have put in place to reduce its impact and ensure safety (we call this risk mitigation strategies) to the following people:
- Participants (e.g. risk of study procedures such as ionizing radiation, bio specimen collection, drugs/devices, psychological risk, cultural risks);
- Researchers (e.g. safety to researchers such as wearing personal protective wear, safety when conducting research activities at home or in public spaces) and;
- University (e.g. financial and reputational)
The level of risk of a research project should be outlined in the project description and can be gauged by taking into account (National Statement, Chapter 2.1):
- the kinds of harm, discomfort or inconvenience that may occur;
- the likelihood of these occurring; and
- the severity of any harm that may occur and your risk mitigation strategies to reduce the risk
The expression 'low risk research' describes research in which the only foreseeable risk is one of discomfort. Research in which the risk for participants is more serious than discomfort is not low risk.
The expression 'negligible risk research' describes research in which the only foreseeable risk is of harm or discomfort; and any foreseeable is no more than inconvenience.
Both negligible and low risk human ethics applications can be reviewed by the relevant College Low Risk Human Research Ethics Committee. The information provided in your application form and project description is used to judge the level of risk. Please Human Ethics if you would like advice regarding your project's level of risk.
Above low risk human ethics applications, that is, research in which the risk for participants is more serious than discomfort, must be reviewed by the University Human Research Ethics Committee.
What are the review pathways for negligible risk, low risk and abow low risk human research?
In accordance with the National Statement (sections 5.1.18 - 5.1.21), La Trobe has established two review pathways, one for negligible low risk, the other for above low risks research. Closing dates, applications forms, project documentation (e.g. advertisement, Participant Information & Consent forms, study tools) and level of detail remain the same. The only difference between the pathways is the committee who review the application. At time of submission, you can indicate which pathway you think is most appropriate, however the level of risk will be judged by the Human Research Ethics Office, alongside the Chair of the committee, and downgraded/upgraded as deemed appropriate in accordance with the National Statement. At all stages, we will communicate with you which committee will be reviewing your application and the date you can expect to hear an outcome.
The pathways and committees review are as follows:
How long do I have to wait to receive ethics approval?
We will aim for all projects to obtain ethics approval within 30 business days of the closing date. Business days are calculated as the number of days between the advertised closing date to the day the Principal Investigator (PI) is sent the letter detailing the outcome of the ethics review. The outcome may be that revisions are needed. the clos starts again when the PI submits their response to the letter of outcome.
When can I commence my research?
If your project requires approval from another jurisdiction (e.g. hospital, school, department of defence etc) please following the information under 'I have received ethics approval from another external organisation do I still need La Trobe ethics approval?'.
If your project involves overseas fieldwork, researchers must obtain ethics from La Trobe university and demonstrate they they comply with any of the following:
- United Nations Security Council (UNSC) sanction regimes
- Australian autonomous sanctions in please for fieldwork location
- See in-country approval for conducting fieldwork before making and confirming travel arrangements (National Statement, Chapter 4.8)
- Additional documentation for in-country ethics approval can be found at Research for Development Impact Network. Please note some countries (e.g. Indonesia) have additional requirements before non-nationals can enter the country to undertake research. Evidence of such approval is required with your application before your application can be fully approved.
I have received ethics approval from an external organisation. Do I still need La Trobe ethics approval?
La Trobe has adopted the recommendation of the National Statement (Chapter 5.3) to minimise the duplication of ethical review and therefore recognises approval issued by other NH&MRC-registered HRECs and their delegated negligible and/or low-risk review bodies. This means that La Trobe staff and students undertaking research do not need to seek ethical review by the La Trobe HRECs or its Low Risk Sub-Committees if their project has been approved by another NH&MRC-registered HREC or their delegated negligible and/or low-risk review bodies. However, to maintain insurance coverage, any projects involving La Trobe staff and research students must be registered via the externally approved projects pathway.
In some cases, you may need to seek multiple approvals from HRECs. An example includes conducting research in Schools in Victoria and New South Wales. Ethics approval must be given by the Department of Education in each state, and depending on the state, sometimes they will ask La Trobe to issue approval first. For these instances please contact Human Ethics or call +61 3 9479 1443 to discuss.
Can I receive retrospective approval?
La Trobe HREC and its Low Risk Sub-Committees do not provide retrospective approval for any research conducted without ethics approval or under an expired ethics project.
What is the approval period?
The HREC and its Low Risk Sub-Committees can provide approval for up to five years.
Can I extend my approval period?
The Principal Investigator can apply for an extension before the end date of an approved project. A project modification form must be completed to request an extension of ethics approval. Please note that:
- Requests for extension can only be granted during the approval period for which the project already has approval.
- Retrospective extensions will not be granted.
- The modification requestioned must remain within the scope of work of the original approved research project.
Extension up to 12 months
A 12 month extension submitted on a modification request form can be granted to complete recruitment and data collection. Please note that:
- Additional extensions cannot be requested once an extension has been approved.
- Projects with a high number of modifications submitted during the initial approval period may be advised to provide a new application.
- Requests for extensions can only be granted if all annual reporting and approval conditions have been met.
Extensions exceeding 12 months
In general, extension for periods of longer than 12 months should be submitted as a new application. Special circumstances (e.g. project paused due to unforeseen reasons) may be considered by the HREC/Sub-Committee on the condition that appropriate reason or justification is provided. The approving HREC/Sub-Committee may be grant a 3-month extension to allow the researcher additional time to generate a new application for ethical review.
If you need any assistance, please contact Human Ethics.
If you have any additional questions please contact Human Ethics or call +61 3 9479 1443