Care and Use of Animals in Research and Teaching Procedure

1. The purpose of our procedure

This procedure ensures that the care and use of animals in research and teaching at Adelaide University is conducted in accordance with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition (2013) as updated in 2021 (the Code) and complies with the Animal Welfare Act 2025 (SA) (the Act) and associated regulations.

Please read this procedure in conjunction with the Research Integrity Policy.

2. Who our procedure applies to

This procedure applies to members of the Adelaide University community who are involved in, or who assist with, the care and use of animals for scientific purposes at Adelaide University.

3. Our care and use of animals in research procedure

Adelaide University is licensed under the Act to acquire and use animals for teaching and research purposes. Under the terms of this licence the acquisition and use of animals must not commence before approval has been granted by an appropriate Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).

Adelaide University is committed to the ethical, humane, respectful and responsible care and use of animals for scientific purposes. We uphold the governing principles of the Code as outlined below:

3.1 How we use and care for animals in our research and teaching

Respect for animals must underpin all decisions and actions involving their care and use for scientific purposes. This respect is demonstrated by the following principles:

• using animals only when it is justified
• supporting the wellbeing of the animals involved
• avoiding or minimising harm, including pain and distress
• applying high standards of scientific integrity
• considering the cumulative effects of an animal’s lifetime experience, including prior use
• applying replacement, reduction and refinement at all stages of animal care and use:
  • replacement of animals with other methods
  • reduction in the number of animals used
  • refinement of techniques used to minimise the adverse impact on animals
• knowing and accepting one’s responsibilities.

The care and use of animals for scientific purposes must be subject to ethical review. Judgement as to whether a proposed use of animals is ethically acceptable must be based on information that demonstrates the principles of respect and balance the potential effects on animal wellbeing against the potential benefits.

The obligation to respect animals, and the responsibilities associated with this obligation, apply throughout the animal’s lifetime, including acquisition, transport, breeding, housing, husbandry, use of the animal in a project, and provisions for the animal at the conclusion of their use.

3.2 Our Animal Ethics Committees

Ethical approval must first be obtained in accordance with the Code prior to any use or involvement with animals for teaching and prior to commencing research.

Adelaide University has three Animal Ethics Committees (AECs). The AECs are responsible for reviewing and overseeing research and teaching projects and other activities involving the care and use of animals, and for approving only those that are ethically acceptable and compliant with the Code and relevant legislation. The AECs also promote the responsibilities of researchers to undertake ethical research and teaching in compliance with the Code and applicable legislation.

3.2.1 Membership appointment and term of office

The composition of the AECs is prescribed by both the Act and the Code. Each AEC must consist of at least five members including at least one member from each of the categories defined in the Act. In addition, at Adelaide University AECs must also include a person who is responsible for the daily care of animals.

Members are appointed for a maximum initial period of three years. Subsequent reappointment may occur, subject to committee requirements.

Full details about membership categories and terms of office are provided in the relevant Terms of Reference.

3.2.2 Cessation or termination of membership

Membership may end prior to the completion of the appointed term on the recommendation of the AEC Chair to the Deputy Vice Chancellor – Research and Innovation (DVCRI). The decision to withdraw or conclude membership rests with the DVCRI. Where practicable, concerns will be addressed in a supportive and proportionate manner prior to any recommendation being made. The objective is to maintain a constructive and effective committee environment, recognising that personal or professional circumstances may change over time.

Membership lapses if a member fails to:

• attend three consecutive meetings without reasonable justification or in exceptional circumstances as approved by the Chair or by the DVCRI in the case of the Chair’s absence
• attend at least two thirds of all scheduled AEC meetings in each year, barring exceptional circumstances
• complete training or professional development related to their role as an AEC member, including the roles of Chair and Deputy Chair, as required by the AEC Chair or Adelaide University.

The appointment of any member of the AEC may be terminated by the DVCRI if they determine that:

• it is necessary for the proper and effective functioning of the AEC
• the person is not a fit and proper person to serve on an AEC 
• the person has failed to carry out their duties as an AEC member.

Members seeking to resign or take a planned leave of absence for an extended period from the AEC are asked to provide at least four weeks’ written notice to the Chair and AEC Executive Officer so that steps can be taken to fill the vacancy.

The DVCRI will notify a member of termination of membership in writing. The Director Research Compliance, Ethics and Integrity (or delegate) will notify the member of a lapse of membership in writing.

3.3 Animal ethics applications

AEC approval must be obtained before any vertebrate or higher-order invertebrate animal is acquired or used for teaching and research purposes. For teaching and research that involves some higher order invertebrates or scavenged tissue, the AEC may, at its discretion, deem notification to be sufficient.

Where animals will be held captive for teaching or research purposes, approval must be obtained from the AEC established by the institution responsible for the premises in which the animal is held (which may not be Adelaide University).

Where animals to be used for teaching and research purposes will not be held captive (for example, field studies, wildlife observation studies), approval must be obtained from the AEC established by the institution that employs or engages the principal applicant named on the AEC approval application.

Where animals to be used for teaching and research purposes are not located within South Australia, approval must be obtained from the AEC established by the Institution which employs or engages the principal applicant on the AEC approval application as well as any AEC (or equivalent) established by the Institution that is responsible for the animals in that location, should such an Institution or Committee be in place. This requirement is separate to any institutional licensing requirements, which must also be in place in any relevant interstate jurisdiction(s) prior to commencing the relevant research in that jurisdiction.

Any conditions of approval imposed by the relevant AEC must be followed.

All activities involving the use of animals for teaching and research purposes must be carried out in compliance with the current edition of the Code, the Act, and the Animal Welfare Regulations 2012 (SA).

Wherever animals are used for teaching purposes, the program must include a component that promotes the ethical use of animals. Students must be given the opportunity to discuss the ethical, social, scientific and cultural issues that may arise from the use of animals for teaching and research purposes.

3.4 Recognition of prior ethics approvals

Adelaide University AECs recognise ethics approvals granted by the AECs of the foundation universities (Prior Ethics Approvals). Research projects subject to a Prior Ethics Approval will, in general, not require re-review by an Adelaide University AEC, provided there are no substantive changes to the approved protocols.

Each Prior Ethics Approval will be deemed to be an ethics approval made by an Adelaide University AEC. The responsibilities under these Terms of Reference apply to each previously approved research project as if an Adelaide University AEC had granted the approval. The Adelaide University AECs have authority to suspend or revoke a Prior Ethics Approval as if an Adelaide University AEC had granted the approval.

3.5 Monitoring and reporting

The AEC monitors approved activities that involve the care and use of animals through a range of mechanisms, including, without limitation, regular review of progress and final reports, scheduled and random facility inspections, and review of adverse event notifications. These activities are conducted to ensure ongoing compliance with the Code and the ethical standards approved by the AEC.

Monitoring may also involve consultation with investigators and animal care staff. All monitoring activities are documented and reviewed by the AEC.

The AEC will maintain appropriate records of all proposed and approved animal ethics applications, in line with the Act, the Code and the Adelaide University [Records Management Procedure].

The AEC will provide annual reporting to the Minister as specified in the Act, to other regulatory bodies as required, and to Adelaide University as specified in the Code.

3.6 Complaints and appeals

Complaints relating to the care and use of animals for scientific purposes approved by Adelaide University’s AECs will be managed via publicly available pathways and may involve review by the relevant AEC and/or referral to Adelaide University’s [Office of Research Compliance, Ethics, and Integrity].

Where complaints relate to activities that have the potential to adversely affect animal wellbeing, the activities must cease immediately.

Where complaints relate to activities that would normally require AEC approval, the complaints are referred to the AEC to investigate whether such activities were conducted in accordance with AEC approval.

Where complaints raise the possibility of a breach of the principles and standards governing the conduct of research, they will be handled in accordance with the [Adelaide University Investigation and Management of Research Conduct Procedure] and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Depending on the nature and severity of the complaint, the Chair/Deputy Chair of the relevant AEC will either investigate the matter in consultation with the appropriate parties or forward the complaint to the DVCRI for further investigation.

Where a conflict of interest exists (potential, actual or perceived), the complaint will be either referred to one of the Deputy Chairs and/or the DVCRI. The DVCRI will determine procedures by which the complaint is investigated.

Complaints about Adelaide University’s AECs or decisions made by Adelaide University’s AECs should be directed to the [Animal Ethics Officer] of the relevant AEC, who will forward them to the Chair, Deputy Chair or the Director, Research Compliance, Ethics and Integrity, as may be appropriate in the circumstances.

4. Who holds a responsibility within this procedure

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

Responsibility for the ethical design, review, and conduct of research and teaching involving the care and use of animals is exercised at many levels. While processes of ethical review are important, individual researchers and Adelaide University hold primary responsibility for ensuring that research and teaching is ethically acceptable.

4.1 Adelaide University community members who are involved in the care and use of animals for scientiic purposes are responsible for:

• obtaining AEC approval before any research project or activity involving the care and use of animals commence
• complying with the terms and conditions of AEC approvals
• implementing measures to monitor and ensure the wellbeing of animals under their supervision
• ensuring risks are managed appropriately in accordance with this procedure
• responding to adverse events responsibly and humanely
• maintaining relevant competency, knowledge, and awareness through appropriate animal ethics and welfare training
• following relevant Adelaide University animal ethics policies and procedures.

4.2 DVCRI or delegate is responsible for:

• establishing and maintaining our Animal Ethics Committees
• ensuring staff involved in animal research and teaching undergo training in animal ethics and welfare
• monitoring our animal ethics review processes to ensure they comply with the Act and the Code.

5. Definitions used in our procedure

Please refer to our Adelaide University glossary for a full list of our definitions.

Adelaide University community refers to a broad range of stakeholders who engage with Adelaide University and includes (but is not limited to) all students, staff, and non-staff members of Adelaide University including alumni, honorary title holders, adjuncts, visiting academics, guest lecturers, volunteers, suppliers and partners who are engaging with and contributing to the work of Adelaide University.

Foundation universities means the University of South Australia and The University of Adelaide.

6. How our procedure is governed

This procedure is categorised, approved and owned in line with the governance structure of Adelaide University and the offices and officers listed below.

7. Legislation and other documents related to our procedure

Refer to the Delegation Policy for all delegations at Adelaide University.

8. History of changes

At the time of writing, Adelaide University’s organisational structure, position titles, and committee names have not been confirmed. Square brackets [ ] indicate placeholders for these details. Brackets are also used to identify policy elements that are subject to further decision-making or confirmation. These will be updated once final decisions are made.