Animal Ethics


Western Sydney University complies with the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (opens in a new window) and the New South Wales Animal Research Act (opens in a new window) and its Regulations.

In addition, there are other guidelines and codes that must be complied with such as the Australian Agricultural Council Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare, and guidelines issued by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) (opens in a new window)

Researchers wishing to work with native species must seek approval from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (opens in a new window)

The Openness Agreement

Western Sydney University recognises the valid community expectations for transparency surrounding the use of animals for research and teaching activities. We believe that openness and clarity concerning the use of animals in research are essential to enable well-informed public discussion.

Western Sydney University, as a signatory of the Openness Agreement (2023), pledges to fulfill the four Commitments of the Openness Agreement:

  1. We will be open about our involvement in the use of animals.
  2. We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals.
  3. We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research or teaching involving the use of animals.
  4. We will report annually on our efforts to improve openness in our use of animals.

Download the ANZCCART Australian Openness Agreement (opens in a new window)

ANZCCART Openness Agreement Logo

Animal Ethics Application Steps

For a downloadable flowchart, see Animal Ethics Flowchart for Researchers (PDF, 74.39 KB) (opens in a new window)

STEP 1

Researchers should download and complete the Animal Ethics Application Form (DOCX, 145.57 KB) (opens in a new window)

If you require further assistance with your application, please contact us

The ethics officers can also be contacted for consultations and for advice regarding applications (at least a week is needed for the review of documentation).

STEP 2

Researchers should check the submission deadlines and ACEC meeting dates and plan enough time around the submission of their application.

Researchers should also cross-check Standard Operating Procedures with the Technical Support Services Approved Master Library

For more information, please contact the Animal Ethics Officer

STEP 3

 Researchers should review their application to make sure it is complete.

STEP 4

 Applications should be submitted to the Animal Care and Ethics Committee

STEP 5

(a) The ACEC will review applications at the next meeting and determine an outcome for each.

(b) Feedback will be provided to the Chief Investigator following review of the application.

(c) The Chief Investigator will address any concerns raised by the ACEC in the more information required document.

The application will then go back to Steps 3, 4 and 5.

STEP 6

 The ethics application is approved and the letter of approval is then emailed to the Chief Investigator.

STEP 7

(a) Animal Research Authority (ARA) will be issued and emailed to the Chief Investigator.

(b) Valid BRSC approval if needed (separate process and committee).

(c) Valid Standard Operating Procedure(s).

STEP 8

 Researcher can begin animal related work.

Committee and Meeting Dates

Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC)

All research or teaching exercises involving the use of animals must have the approval of the Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) before it can proceed.

The ACEC is a broad based committee made up of animal researchers, veterinarians, animal welfare representatives and independent community members.

The ACEC Chair is Professor Justin Welbergen. Western Sydney University staff and their roles/expertise are listed below:

Role/ExpertiseName
Chairperson / Ecology Justin Welbergen
Deputy Chair / Behavioural Neuroscience Tim Karl
Neuroscience Erika Gyengesi
Oncology Tara Roberts
Ecology and Environmental ScienceMichelle Ryan
Physiology and Ecology Christopher Turbill

The ACEC has the responsibility to approve proposals and provide ongoing monitoring of projects and animal holding facilities. By law, the University is required to maintain accurate records on the use and disposal of any animals at the University.

Committee members value the input of researchers to enhance the effective functioning of the committee and applicants are encouraged to attend meetings of the ACEC in the initial presentation of protocols.

As a general principle the ACEC accepts the use of animals in research and teaching providing there is:

  1. A demonstrated educational or research benefit
  2. No suitable alternatives are available at the time e.g. video
  3. A minimum number of animals are used
  4. A demonstrated effort to minimise the likely impact on the welfare of the animals used.

Western Sydney University students or staff may carry out work under a protocol and an Animal Research Authority (ARA) approved by another ACEC, but no work should commence until the University ACEC ratifies the Animal Research or Training Protocol.

Meeting Dates

ACEC 2025 meeting schedule
Meeting date Submission deadline Venue
6 Feb 2025 23 Jan 2025 Campbelltown Campus, Building 30, School of Medicine, Level 3 Boardroom (30.3.39)
6 Mar 202520 Feb 2025 Hawkesbury Campus, Building L2 (L2.G.13)
3 Apr 2025 20 Mar 2025 Campbelltown Campus, Building 30, School of Medicine, Level 3 Boardroom (30.3.39)
1 May 202517 Apr 2025 Hawkesbury Campus, Building L2 (L2.G.13)
5 Jun 202522 May 2025 Campbelltown Campus, Building 30, School of Medicine, Level 3 Boardroom (30.3.39)
3 Jul 202519 Jun 2025Liverpool, Ingham Institute, Boardroom
7 Aug 202524 Jul 2025Westmead Campus, NICM Meeting Room 3 (J.G.32)
4 Sep 2025 21 Aug 2025 Hawkesbury Campus, Building L2 (L2.G.13)
2 Oct 202518 Sep 2025 Campbelltown Campus, Building 30, School of Medicine, Level 3 Boardroom (30.3.39)
6 Nov 202523 Oct 2025 Hawkesbury Campus, Building L2 (L2.G.13)
11 Dec 2025 27 Nov 2025 Campbelltown Campus, Building 30, School of Medicine, Level 3 Boardroom (30.3.39)

Committee Membership

The Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) may seek to fill membership vacancies from time to time. The membership categories are as follows:

  • Category A (Veterinarian)
  • Category B (Academic)
  • Category C (Welfare)
  • Category D (Community)

The role of the ACEC is to oversee the use of animals in research and teaching in accordance with the Animal Research Act (1985) (opens in a new window) and Regulation (2021) as well as the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (opens in a new window)

The ACEC meets on a monthly basis from February to December each year. Meetings details can be found under 'Meeting 'Dates'.

Please email animalethics@westernsydney.edu.au for more information or to enquire about any membership vacancies.

Animal Ethics Training Requirements at Western Sydney University

Category Animal Ethics Training Accepted Course(s)
WSU Undergraduate student Not mandatory, strongly recommended.ANZCCART ComPass, UNSW undergraduate animal ethics course, UNSW Animal Care and Ethics Course, or any other animal ethics course offered by an Australian university.
WSU Postgraduate student (MRes and PhD) Required.UNSW Animal Care and Ethics Course (or University of Sydney equivalent course).
WSU Staff / Researchers Required.UNSW Animal Care and Ethics Course (or University of Sydney equivalent course).
External students and staff doing fieldwork Required. Responsibility of the Chief Investigator to ensure external students and staff members are adequately trained* Any university-level animal ethics course or ANZCCART ComPass#
External students and staff working on Western Sydney University campuses Required. Responsibility of the Chief Investigator to ensure external students and staff members are adequately trained*Any university-level animal ethics course or ANZCCART ComPass#

*The Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (2013) (opens in a new window) states that Investigators must undertake education and training, and competency assessment, in accordance with institutional and AEC policies and procedures (cl. 2.4.4.v).

#Requests for exemptions and courses completed at a non-Australian university/institution may be considered by the Animal Care and Ethics Committee on a case-by-case basis.