The CPL Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) composition, terms of reference, functions, responsibilities and method of operation must conform to the requirements of the current Statement on Experimentation and its Supplementary Notes (the NHMRC Statement) and other guidelines published from time to time by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
The CPL HREC is responsible for ensuring the ethical acceptability of research and practice conducted at CPL or by staff of CPL that involves human participants, human tissue, personally identifiable records, and for the provision of advice to CPL on related matters. All research undertaken at CPL must have approval from the CPL HREC. Researchers not affiliated with CPL, but who propose to conduct research at CPL are required to obtain ethical clearance from the CPL HREC prior to commencing the research.
Read the CPL HREC Terms of Reference in full.
Human research ethics committee guidelines
Does research at CPL require ethical clearance?
All research conducted at CPL must be submitted for review by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), which is registered with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (#EC00417).
Written approval must be gained prior to commencing any recruitment activities with CPL clients or regional staff. Collaborative studies must also provide proof of ethics approval from the host committee overseeing the research.
What ethics application form do I use?
The HREC accepts electronic applications only. Applications must be submitted using the:
- NHMRC Human Research Ethics Application (HREA)
- Ethics Application form (for internal studies only) - available for staff on Intranet
- Prior to submission it is essential that you complete a Gatekeeper Approval Form and have this signed by the relevant CPL Manager. For enquiries about the Gatekeeper Approval Form, please contact us.
What other material must be submitted?
As well as the ethics application form, applicants must submit:
- All information & consent forms
- If the study involves children between 12-18 years, a child information form and child assent form must be provided
- If the study involves clients with complex communication needs, a symbolised information and consent form must be provided
- A copy of data collection instruments or test pages
- A copy of ethics approval from the host ethics committee (if this is not CPL)
- A copy of ethics approval of any prior amendments (if not from the CPL)
- A signed CPL Organisational Approval of Research Form
When does the HREC meet?
To find out when the next CPL HREC meeting is scheduled, please contact us.
What is the duration for ethics clearance?
Ethics clearance will be awarded for a maximum of 12 months at which time an annual report must be submitted. If the study is not complete, a request for extension can be submitted at this time.
How do I submit my application?
All ethics applications must be submitted to the Chair of the HREC via the committee secretary. You will be provided with an email submission address if you are successful in gaining Gatekeeper Approval. The HREC does not accept applications without Gatekeeper Approval.
Research and ethics committee contacts
Contact the Research Secretary for information on:
- Becoming a participant in research
- Becoming a researcher or research student
- Forming a research collaboration with CPL
- Submitting applications for Gatekeeper Review
- Finding out more about research studies at CPL
- Finding out more about how the research improves CPL services
Contact the Chair of the Ethics Committee:
- To report an injury or incident arising from a CPL research study
- To raise a question relating to the ethical conduct of a researcher
If you would like to raise a question or complaint about the CPL HREC processes, please follow the complaint procedure here.
HREC members
- Mr Rhys Kennedy
- Dr Katy Caynes
- Mr Michael Klatt
- Mrs Lisa McKern
- Mr Andrew Pope
- Rev'd Mary-Anne Rulfs
- Dr Susan Waller
- Mrs Rebecca Yin-Foo