Research ethics and governance support

All health and medical research undertaken throughout Victoria’s western region is governed by State and national guidelines and regulations. The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research stipulate the obligations on all researchers to be aware of the ethical framework governing research and to be compliant with regulatory requirements.

All research involving human participants must obtain ethics approval from a registered Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC).

HRECs protect the welfare and rights of research participants by reviewing proposals for research involving humans, monitoring the conduct of research and dealing with complaints that arise from research.

Three health service HRECs registered with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) are located within the western region. You are encouraged to seek advice prior to submitting an application.

The officers listed below are available for advice and assistance with research design, research ethics applications and research governance compliance.

Ballarat and Ararat

Ballarat Health Services & St John of God Hospital Ballarat HREC
www.bhs.org.au/research
Research and Ethics Services Ballarat Health Services

Mr John Hand
Manager Research Ethics & Governance, Ballarat Health Services
researchethics@bhs.org.au
(03) 5320 8661

Geelong and Colac

Barwon Health HREC
www.barwonhealth.org.au/research/for-researchers/rdu
Research Development Unit (RDU)

Dr Giuliana Fuscaldo
Manager, Research Development Unit, Barwon Health
rdu@barwonhealth.org.au
(03) 4215 3372

Warrnambool and Hamilton

South West Healthcare Multidisciplinary Ethics Committee
www.southwesthealthcare.com.au
Centre for Research Education and Teaching, CREATe: Research Ethics

Ms Leah Damman
Manager, Research, South West Healthcare
ethics@swh.net.au
(03) 5563 1633