Human research ethics

Project Principal Investigators:

In submitting a project for ethics or institutional biosafety review, researchers are asked to note that the Principal Investigator on an application must be a fixed-term or ongoing La Trobe University employee or have Emeritus status conferred by Academic Board.

Projects by Student and Honorary appointees other than Emeriti must be conducted with their academic supervisor as Principal Investigator on the ethics application.

Academic supervisors must be ongoing or fixed-term university employees. This approach is consistent with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018) and the La Trobe Honorary Appointments Policy.

All new human research ethics applications must be submitted via PRIME using the following process:

1. Review the Definitions of Research to see which form aligns with your research project.  If you have any questions on which application to use, contact humanethics@latrobe.edu.au and one of the Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety team members will be happy to help you.
2. If you are using the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Application:
   • Download and complete the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Application Form. For assistance with the application form, please refer to the Guide to the La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Application.
   • Prepare relevant supporting research project documentation. For example
     • Participant Information and Consent Forms
     • Participant Invitation
     • Flyers/Advertisements
     • Interview/focus group outline
     • Questionnaires
     • Surveys
3. If you are using the NHMRC Human Research Ethics Application:
   • Register for an account at https://hrea.gov.au
   • Complete your online application along with a project description (for biospecimen analysis) or a full study protocol that aligns with the SPIRIT Statement-based guidelines (for Clinical Trials).
   • Prepare relevant supporting research project documentation. For example:
     • Participant Information and Consent Forms
     • Participant Invitation
     • Relevant authorisations/approval

     PLEASE NOTE: When you have completed the HREA application,  do not submit it in the HREA portal. Download a PDF copy of the completed form  and upload that along with the relevant supporting documents to PRIME.

4. 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 research project documentation (as separate documents)
   • Click on “Submit to Research Office” by the relevant closing date (see Meeting Closing Dates)

Application Assistance

1. Schedule a personalised session with one of our ethics advisors for help wth your ethics or PRIME queries
2. Attend one of the weekly Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety drop-in sessions - every Monday at 12 noon via zoom:  https://latrobe.zoom.us/j/83423454099?from=addon
3. Contact us directly to discuss your needs and preferred options:
   • humanethics@latrobe.edu.au
   • + 61 3 9479 1443

Applications for Exemption from Ethics Review:

The 2023 update to the National Statement provides for institutions to determine whether a project may be exempt from requiring human research ethics approval. If you think your project may be exempt,:

1. Download the Exemption form (DOC 49KB)
2. Read the accompanying information carefully
3. Complete the form
4. Submit it via email to humanethics@latrobe.edu.au.

Your request will be considered by a member of the Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety Team and you will receive a notification if your exemption is granted or you will be advised to submit a full application to the appropriate ethics committee via the usual process.

Exemption requests may be submitted at any time and are not dependent on meeting agenda.

Contact the Ethics team

For any questions or concerns, please contact Human Ethics or +61 3 9479 1443

How long will the governance and ethics review process take?

The National Statement provides a risk profile for human research and LTU provides pathways for review or request for exemption based on this profile:

"Low risk research describes research, including some types of clinical trials, in which the only foreseeable risk is no greater than discomfort. Accordingly, research in which the risk for participants or others is greater than discomfort is not low risk research. Research in this category is considered higher risk research and carries risk of harm. Higher risk research requires review by an HREC."

Ethics review at La Trobe University (LTU) is managed by the Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety (EIB) Team.  The review is a two-stage process. The governance review is done by a member of the EIB and is typically started within three business days of application submission. This review serves to confirm that you have answered the necessary questions, provided the required documentation, and the application is ready for ethics review.

After completion of the governance review, the ethics review is done by either the LTU Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)or the Low-risk Ethics Advisory Panel (LEAP).  The LEAP conducts rolling reviews so meeting and submission dates do not apply.

It is the Principal Investigator’s responsibility to allow enough time for the review process. Applications should be submitted early if there are other relevant deadlines such as grant submissions, project start dates, etc. Applications are reviewed in the order received.

We recommend you start your application eight (8) weeks in advance of your anticipated start date. While it is unlikely it will take this long, it ensures you allow enough time for the required steps in the review process including:

• governance review and relevant discussions and any necessary revisions; and
• ethics review and any relevant discussions and any necessary revisions

Factors that may have an impact on the turnaround times for review include:

• the completeness and quality of the project application;
• review category, e.g., low risk versus greater than low risk review;
• number of project applications currently under active review by the Coordinator, LEAP or HREC
• response time by the researcher to provide requested information; and
• potential wait for external documents or letters of permission for related items.

If you have any questions as you prepare you application, please email humanethics@latrobe.edu.au and someone will be in touch within two (2) business days.

This table shows the average time to approval (calendar days) for projects submitted to each of the Human Ethics committees during the first quarter of each of the last three years.

*Please note if there is a high volume of applications for any given meeting, the application may be allocated to the following meeting date.

New submission process in 2025: please note that all human research ethics applications submitted in 2025 will undergo a mandatory governance review. This replaces the previous optional pre-review submission and published agenda deadline dates. Applications must be submitted by midday on the governance review deadline date. The EIB team will complete a review to ensure that the application is complete and ready for review by the HREC or the LEAP. When the governance review comments are returned to you, you will be advised when you must resubmit your application to ensure inclusion on the next available meeting agenda. We hope that this will improve the review process.

Please feel free to contact the team for advance assistance or questions or come to one of our drop in sessions.

2025 Human research new & deferred ethics applications governance review and meeting dates

*Please note:  The  Low-risk Ethics Advisory Panel will have two meetings in December - Thursday, 4 December and Thursday, 18 December. The  submission deadline for both is midday Monday,  17 November 2025. These two meetings are for low risk applications only.

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:

1. Complete the relevant forms:
   • Download the Externally Approved or Request to Transfer Application Form (DOC 58KB).
   • 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.
2. Log in to  PRIME Researcher portal to create a new Externally Approved Application:
   1. Under Ethics Applications, click “+ New Externally Approved Application”
   2. Add all researcher personnel
   3. Upload all completed forms and study documentation (as separate documents)
   4. 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.

• Review Externally Approved Project Guidelines

Complaints about  La Trobe University Research Projects

Complaints about the Ethics Review Process

Research Guidelines

• National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023
• 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
• Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018
• Principles for accessing and using publicly funded data for health research
• AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research
• Guide to Applying the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research

Legislation and Regulations

• Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Victoria)
• Victorian Health Records Act
• Victoria Guardianship and Administration Act 2019
• Privacy Act 1988 (C'th)

The La Trobe University Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) reviews ethics applications associated with research projects from all disciplines in the University in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023.  The HREC promotes and ensures ethically good human research, reviews the conduct of human research, identifies risks, and deliberates about ethical issues related to human research.

We are currently seeking expressions of interest for the following categories of membership:

• Category B: A person who brings a broader community or consumer perspective;
• Category C: A person with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care or treatment of people; for example, a nurse, counsellor or allied health professional;
• Category D: A person who performs a pastoral care role in a community including, but not limited to, an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elder or community leader, a chaplain or a minister of religion or other religious leader; and
• Category F (particularly Humanities and Social Science, Education, Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, Business): A person or people with current research experience that is relevant to research proposals to be considered at the meetings they attend.

Members of the La Trobe University Human Ethics Committee are required to:

• Be familiar with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023 and other guidelines and information relevant to the review of specific research proposals;
• Attend monthly meetings of the HREC;
• Prepare for the meetings by reading all meeting papers, including all new applications under review, paying particular attention to those assigned to you as a reviewer;
• Consider ad hoc items such as researcher support materials upon request;
• Attend continuing education or training programs in research ethics;
• Promote a culture of excellence in ethical human research across the LTU community; and
• Maintain confidentiality of the committee’s proceedings.

Induction training is provided to all new members prior to their commencement on the Committee. Though Committee members are volunteers, internal La Trobe members will receive recognition in the AWPS, external members will receive an honorarium.  The Committee is supported by the Ethics, Integrity, and Biosafety team, in the Research Office.

How to Express an Interest

Expressions of Interest can be submitted to the Chair of the Human Research Ethics Committee, at eib@latrobe.edu.au. Expressions of Interest should include a brief statement outlining your interest in joining the Committee and a biography or an abridged resume.

If you would like further information about this position, please do not hesitate to contact Mary Duffy, Senior Coordinator, Ethics, phone +61 39 479 1443 or email eib@latrobe.edu.au.

**NOTE: If your project has expired you will not be able to upload your progress report in PRIME, please email your completed report form to humanethics@latrobe.edu.au. A Research Ethics Advisor will upload it and mark your milestone as complete on your behalf.**

The La Trobe University Progress Report Forms have changed to meet requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023.  Please select and download the appropriate form for your reporting period:

• Human Research Ethics Annual Progress Report Form [DOC 78KB] (due on the anniversary date of your ethics approval)
• Human Research Ethics Final Report Form [76KB] (due within 3 months of the project finishing)

Please contact humanethics@latrobe.edu.au if you have any questions or come to the Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety weekly zoom drop-in session for assistance.

For all Clinical Trials download and complete the Clinical Trial Annual Progress Safety Final Report [DOC 55KB]

La Trobe University’s Human Research Ethics Committees have the discretion to request more frequent reporting of clinical trials.

If La Trobe is not the lead HREC, please submit your Annual Progress Report and Annual Safety Report as per their requirements and provide a copy of the approved report to La Trobe via humanethics@latrobe.edu.au

3. Log in to  PRIME Researcher portal to lodge an annual of final report:

1. 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
2. At the top of the ethics record, click the “down” blue arrow drop down menu and click “Create Annual Report” or “Create Final Report”
3. Click the 'post approval documents' tab and upload completed annual/final report form
4. At the top of the screen click on  "Submit to Research Office"

La Trobe University's Incident and Safety monitoring reporting requirements:

1. Human research projects (excluding Clinical Trials)

• To report an incident, please complete and submit the Human Research Adverse Event Form [DOC 53KB]

2. Clinical Trials

The NHMRC’s Safety monitoring and reporting in clinical trials involving therapeutic goods (2016) sets out the requirements for the monitoring, collection and reporting of adverse events and adverse reactions that occur in clinical trials.

The Clinical Trial Safety Reporting Flowchart and Glossary of Terms has been developed as a valuable tool to assist you in determining which report is required, to whom it should be reported and the timelines for doing so.

• To report a safety issue (e.g. serious adverse event/reaction/effect or significant safety issue), complete and submit the Safety Report - Clinical Trial v3 [DOC 70KB].   Please note: You are no longer required to individually report Adverse Events as they occur if not serious (i.e. non-serious incidents that are not related to the trial) to the HREC.  Please retain adequate records and include these Adverse Events in your Annual Safety Report to La Trobe University.
• To report a Serious or Suspected or Non-Serious Breach as a requirement of ICH E6 (R2) Good Clinical Practice or the clinical trial protocol, complete and submit the Breach of Good Clinical Practice Protocol Report - Clinical Trial v3 [DOC 56KB]

3. Log in to PRIME Researcher portal to lodge an Incident/Safety/Breach of GCP Reports:

1. 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,
2. At the top of the ethics record click the “down” arrow and click “Create UAE/Safety Report”.
3. Upload completed Report.
4. 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.

Education Program – 2025

Unless noted otherwise, all workshops are held online.

Registrations can be done via the Research Education and Development Website

Human Research Ethics:

The National Statement:  An Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety Workshop

Who should attend?                                             Researchers

Facilitator                                                                 Ismat Zehra & Portia Dilena, Research Ethics and Biosafety Advisors

Date & Times                                                          25 June, 10 September, 19 November, 12.00-1.30pm

Duration                                                                    90 minutes

Description

Human research ethics is vital when conducting your research with people. Unethical research may raise risks and even jeopardise the validity of your findings. As we undertake more research using increasingly diverse methods including advanced technology, AI, increased collaborations, it is important to get it right the first time.

In this seminar, you will learn the principles of ethical research, and how to manage your research in ethical and responsible ways. You will consider issues like voluntary participation and informed consent, making sure that personal information is handled safely and confidentially, and recruiting vulnerable participants in human research.; implementing the 3Rs in animal research; and considering various elements of the responsible conduct of research.

Learning outcomes

• Identify and evaluate key principles of ethical research found in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct of Human Research
• Identify potential ethical issues relating to attendee’s own research
• Understand the process for applying for ethical review and maintaining ethical approval at La Trobe University

Supervision in Human Research Ethics: An Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety Workshop

Who should attend?                                Supervisors

Facilitator                                                    Vivienne Moyle, Senior Manager, Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety

Date & Times                                             19 August 1 pm

Duration                                                       90 minutes

Description

Helping to guide students and candidates through the Human research ethics process is vital to their success. Understanding your role as supervisor and principal investigator in the gaining and maintaining of their ethics approval is a key part of that process. Suggested pre-reading: Supervision: A guide supporting the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Learning outcomes

• Understand the student requirements for gaining and maintaining human research ethics approval.
• Understand the dual role of supervisor and principal investigator.
• Consider the risk levels appropriate to student research.
• Understand timing implications and other factors on student ethics applications.
• Identify potential ethical issues relating to student human research ethics application

Risk & Mitigation in Human Research Ethics: An Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety Workshop

Who should attend?                                Researchers

Facilitator                                                    Mary Duffy, Senior Coordinator, Human Research Ethics

Date & Times                                             30 September 12.00-1.00pm

Duration                                                       60 minutes

Description

Research involving human participants always involves some level of risk to research participants, to us as researchers and/or to the public. A key element of ethical research practice involves identifying and managing the risks our research may pose to ourselves and others.

Failing to get this right can result in anything from unnecessary inconvenience to participants, reputational damage, litigation or, in some cases, significant injury.

Learning outcomes

In this seminar, we will explore risk in human research and how we need to respond to it. It will help you:

• Understand how risk is understood within the human research context.
• Understand the relationship between risk and benefit.
• Identify, minimise, and manage risks in your own research.

Adverse Events in Human Research Ethics: An Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety Workshop

Who should attend?                                Researchers

Facilitator                                                    Mary Duffy, Senior Coordinator, Human Research Ethics

Date & Times                                             8 July, 28 October 12.00-1.00pm

Duration                                                       60 minutes

Description

A key element in good research management is understanding how to identify, manage, and report adverse events that were not anticipated during the planning stages of a study, clinical trial, or research project, where unexpected negative outcomes could occur; emphasizing proper documentation, communication protocols, and necessary actions to take when such events happen.

Learning outcomes

In this seminar, we will go over key aspects including:

• Defining ‘unexpected adverse events’
• Risk assessment and mitigation strategies
• Ethical considerations:
  • Balancing the need for scientific advancement with participant safety
  • Informed consent and disclosure of potential risks
  • When to stop a study due to unexpected adverse events
• Reporting procedures.

Voluntary and Informed Consent in Human Research Ethics: An Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety Workshop

Who should attend?                                Researchers

Facilitator                                                    Mary Duffy, Senior Coordinator, Human Research Ethics

Date & Times                                             26 August 12.00-1.00pm

Duration                                                       60 minutes

Description

For research to be ethical, everyone should make their own decision about whether to participate or continue participating in a study. The consent process requires a person to be accurately informed of the purpose, methods, risks, benefits, and alternatives to the research. The person must understand this information and how it relates to their own situation or interests and, based on this knowledge, autonomously decide whether to participate.

Learning outcomes

In this seminar we will explore the importance of voluntary and informed consent in human research ethics. It will help you

• Understand what voluntary and informed consent means
• Understand the diverse ways consent may be obtained
• Understand the key elements to informed consent
• Gain tips on how to create a Participant Information and Consent Form that works with your research.

Research Integrity:

Responsible Conduct of Research: An Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety Workshop

Who should attend?                                Researchers (all levels)

Facilitator                                                    Valentina Tankov, Senior Coordinator, Research Integrity

Date & Times                                             17 June, 16 September, 11 November: 11 am - noon

Duration                                                       60 minutes

Description

Trust in research is earned through rigorous, ethical practices that ensure institutions and communities can rely on it to shape the future. This workshop covers essential topics like knowing how to manage data, assign authorship, and uphold ethical guidelines while breaking down the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research 2018 (the Code) and La Trobe University policies into actionable steps.

Learning Outcomes

• Understand core principles of responsible research conduct with practical examples you can use
• Understand your responsibilities as a researcher under the Code
• The difference between research integrity and research ethics and why both matter
• Supporting Guides for Responsible Research and how to put them to use for:
  • Authorship
  • Collaborative Research
  • Disclosure of interests
  • Management of Research Data
  • Peer Review
  • Publication and Dissemination of Research
  • Supervision
• How to identify potential breaches of the Code
• Where to turn for help

Disclosure of Interests & Management of Conflicts of Interest: An Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety Workshop

Who should attend?                                Researchers (all levels)

Facilitator                                                    Valentina Tankov Senior Coordinator, Research Integrity

Date & Times                                             11 August: 11 am - noon

Duration                                                       60 minutes

Description

Conflicts of Interest (CoI) happen, they are a part of life and research. Managing them starts with understanding what they are, recognising when they arise, and knowing how to address them effectively. This workshop explores what conflicts of interest look like, why they matter, and practical ways to handle them to ensure transparency and trust in your research. Suggested pre-reading: Disclosure of interests and management of conflicts of interest: A guide supporting the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Learning outcomes

• What conflicts of interests are and the different types, whether they are actual, potential, or perceived
• How financial and non-financial interests can create conflicts in research
• How to disclose and manage CoIs using clear, simple strategies
• The rules in the Code and La Trobe University policies you need to follow
• Steps to prevent consequences of unmanaged CoIs, from reputation damage to misconduct investigations
• Create a clear CoI action plan to keep your research ethical and trustworthy

Authorship: An Ethics, Integrity & Biosafety Workshop

Who should attend?                                Researchers (all levels)

Facilitator                                                    Valentina Tankov, Senior Coordinator, Research Integrity

Date & Times                                            1 July: 11 am – 12 noon

Duration                                                       60 minutes

Description

Authorship is about giving credit where it is due in collaborative research. It defines who contributed to the work and who is accountable for its accuracy. Without clear agreements, disputes can arise, collaborations can break down, and research integrity can be pulled into question. This workshop provides the tools to navigate authorship fairly and transparently in research projects. Suggested pre-reading:  Authorship: A guide supporting the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Learning outcomes

• Understand your obligations under the Code
• Understand the authorship criteria what and why it matters in research
• Learn how to establish clear authorship agreements to avoid disputes
• Common issues in authorship disputes and how to handle them
• Best practices for collaborative research across teams and institutions
• The responsibilities of authors in ensuring accuracy and integrity in publications.

The Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety Team has prepared some supplementary guidance materials on topics of interest to researchers that may assist in the preparation of human research ethics applicaitons.

• Participant Information and Consent Form Guidelines
• Social Media in Human Research
• Research with Legal Implications
• Overseas Research
• Data Types and Identifiability
• Honours and Human Research
• Advertising Materials in Human Research

External guidance on topical areas of interest are also available:

• Ethical Considerations in Quality Assurance and Evaluation Activities
• Payment of participants in research: information for researchers, HRECs and other ethics review bodies
• Ethical Research Involving Children
• 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
• Principles and Guidelines for Ethical Research and Evaluation in Development

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 Microsoft 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 Human Research Ethics Committee will 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 University without any sign in, however, your research participants will need to download the Cisco app.

All La Trobe staff and research students who conduct research projects will require human research ethics approval (or an exemption) if they intend to conduct research or research activities involving the following:

• engagement with human participants;
• collection and/or use of previously collected human 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 human research ethics approval in place prior to commencement of research (National Statement, Chapters 4 and 5).

Type of activites that may not require ethics approval

Conducting quality assurance (QA) and evaluation activities does not require human research ethics approval even when such activities may utilise research methodologies. An activity wehere the primary purposes is to monitor or improve the quality of service delivered by an individual or an organistation is considered a QA activity. Evaluation is used to make judgements, usually about the effectiveness, efficiency and/or appropriateness of an activieity. More information is available in the supplementary guidance document available above.

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 to determine risk?

Risk is determined by reviewing the potential for harm and the steps you have put in place to mitigate its impact, ensuring the safety of:

1. Participants (e.g. risk of study procedures such as ionizing radiation, biospecimen collection, drugs/devices, psychological risk, cultural risks);
2. Researchers (e.g. safety to researchers such as wearing personal protective wear, vicarious trauma and safety when conducting research activities at home or in public spaces) and;
3. University (e.g. financial and reputational)

The level of risk of a research project and the risk mitigation strategies should be outlined in the project description using the guidance provided in the (National Statement, Chapter 2.1).  Please consider the kinds of harm, discomfort or inconvenience that may occur, the likelihood of them occurring, and the severity and consequences of them.

• Harms can be:
  • physical, such as pain or injury.
  • psychological, like distress.  Distress can be defined as something that endures great mental or physical suffering, like extreme anxiety, sadness, pain or being in danger.  Research that seeks sensitive or embarrassing personal information such as recalling domestic or sexual abuse, or suicidal thoughts have the potential to trigger distress.
  • social such as damage to social networks or relationships.
  • economic such as direct or indirect costs for participants.
  • legal such as the discovery and prosecution of criminal conduct.
  • reputational harms are factors that change a participant's reputation.
• Discomfort is physical and/or psychological and is the negative accompaniment or effect of research, less serious than harm that involves the body and/or mind, such as anxiety induced by interview/survey questions.

The information provided in your application form and project description is used to assess the level of risk and will ultimately determine which Committee reviews your project.

• Above low risk research:  Research that has the foreseeable risk of harm like distress is considered 'above low risk' and needs to be reviewed by one of the University's Human Research Ethics Committees.
• Low risk research:  Research where the only foreseeable risk is one of discomfort or inconvenience is considered ' low risk' and will be reviewed by the Community of Practice Low Risk Human Research Ethics Committee.

Please contact the Human Ethics team if you need further advice assessing your project's level of risk.

In accordance with the National Statement (sections 5.1.18 - 5.1.21), La Trobe has established two review pathways, one for low risk, the other for above low risk 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 reviews the application. At the time of submission, you may indicate the pathway you think is most appropriate, however, the level of risk will be reviewed by the Ethics, Integrity and Biosafety Team, 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:

• Pathway 1: Low Risk Research - Review by the Low-risk Ethics Advisory Panel
• Pathway 2: Above Low Risk Research - research by a Human Research Ethics Committee

There is also an exemption pathway available for research that meets the relevant criteria.

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 that 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.

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 NHMRC-registered HRECs and their delegated low-risk review body. This means that La Trobe staff and students undertaking research do not need to seek ethical review by the La Trobe HREC or its Low-risk Ethics Advisory Panel if their project has been approved by another NHMRC-registered HREC or their delegated low-risk review body. However, to ensure appropriate governance and insurance coverage, any projects involving La Trobe staff and research students must be registered via the externally approved projects pathway.  If you plan to conduct your research in the Prison system, ethics approval will be required from the Justice Department's HREC and once obtained submitted through the externally approved projects pathway at La Trobe University.

In some cases, you may need to seek multiple approvals from HRECs. An example includes conducting research in Schools in Victoria, where ethics approval must be granted by RISEC or by the Department of Education in other states. Often this can be done in parallel but enquire first whether La Trobe HREC approval is required prior to submitting an application.  Please contact Human Ethics or call +61 3 9479 1443 to discuss.

La Trobe HRECs and the Low-risk Ethics Advisory Panel do not provide retrospective approval for any research conducted without ethics approval or under an expired ethics project.

The HRECs and the Low-risk Ethics Advisory Panel can provide approval for up to five years.

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 request 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.  A new application will need to be submitted.
• 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, such as the COVID-19 pandemic) may be considered by the HREC or LEAP on the condition that appropriate justification is provided. The approving Committee may 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.