Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC)
WA Health is currently undertaking a reform of the Human Research Ethics review process across the system. Under the reform, the current WA Health Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) administered by the Health Service Providers (HSPs) are transitioning into a single HREC that is administered by the Central Office for Research Ethics (CORE) based at the Department of Health. The single HREC, known as the WA Health Central HREC, will hold at least one meeting each week for 46 weeks of the year. The transition is being managed by the ethics administrative officers based at the CORE, with support from the HSPs.
As of May 7, 2025, WA Health Central HREC will accept all new project applications and amendments, except for those new projects requiring review by a Lead HREC under the National Mutual Acceptance (NMA) Scheme. New NMA project applications will be directed to SMHS HREC until further notification.
You can be assured that both ethics review bodies have the capacity and capability to provide a review that is compliant with the NHMRC’s National Statement on the Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023) and that you will receive the support you require from both the HSP ethics offices and the CORE as appropriate. A transition to the Central HREC workflow visual (PDF) is attached for your information.
For more information about the reform project and the process of transition, please refer to the WA health system ethics reform website (external site). You can also refer to the WA Health Central Human Research Ethics Committee website (external site) for more information about their processes.
If you have any queries, please contact the CORE at HREC@health.wa.gov.au.
Ethical Review
The Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group (SCGOPHCG) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is no longer accepting new submissions of any kind.
The South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) is certified by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to provide ethical approval for research nationally under the National Mutual Acceptance (NMA) scheme.
The WA Health Central HREC provides ethics review of research involving humans, their biospecimens and/or their information and is bound by state and national policies, legislation and is governed by the terms set out by the NHMRC in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023 (external site).
All research within WA Health needs to be submitted via the Research Governance Service (RGS) website (external site).
National HREC Guidance Documents
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (external site)
The National Certification Scheme (external site)
Information regarding the NHMRC certification process for national single ethical review.
The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (external site)
The code that articulates the requirements for researchers, ethics committees and institutions involved in the conduct of research.
Support
If you require assistance with document preparation or your application submission, please reach out to SCGH.ResearchNavigation@health.wa.gov.au.
If you require assistance with an NMA project application, or SMHS review process, please reach out to SMHS.HREC@health.wa.gov.au.
If you have any queries regarding the current ethics review process, please reach out to HREC@health.wa.gov.au.
If you require assistance with the system, we recommend reaching out to RGS.Support@health.wa.gov.au.
Tips for Completing an Ethics Application
Addressing the Waiver of Consent
A waiver of consent may only be granted by a HREC for research using personal information in medical research, or personal health information.
It is important that each criterion outlined in section 2.3.10 of the National Statement is addressed substantively to justify the requirement for a waiver of consent.
A common mistake is simply reiterating the wording of each section without articulating how that determination has been made.
Addressing the Data Management Plan
Recent updates to Section 3 of the National Statement focus on the collection, use and management of data and information, and the management of study findings or results. Section 3.1.44 of the National Statement provides an overview of details to include in a data management plan.
Data Management Plan Template (Word)
Participant Information and Consent Forms
WA Health investigators are encouraged to utilise the National Health and Medical Research Council's standard PICFs (external site).
Additional Considerations
WA Aboriginal Human Ethics Committee (WAAHEC)
Applications involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in project results must obtain WAAHEC approval.
It is advised WAAHEC approval is submitted as part of your ethics application.
Children and adolescents
National Mutual Acceptance applications involving children and adolescents should be directed to CAHS HREC (external site).
Non HREC Activity
Authorised Prescriber
The HREC is occasionally asked to provide support for applications under the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Authorised Prescriber (AP) scheme.
Applications from medical practitioners seeking to become an authorised prescriber of an ‘unapproved’ therapeutic good should not be submitted via the RGS.
The medical practitioner’s application for HREC approval to apply for authorised prescriber status with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) must be made in writing and provide sufficient evidence to justify the use of the ‘unapproved’ therapeutic good. More information on applying to be an authorised prescriber can be found on the TGA website (external site).
WA Health Central HREC authorised prescriber application form (Word 255KB)
Case Reports or Series
Reporting individual or a series of cases is an important mechanism by which to inform peers of novel or noteworthy clinical phenomena, suggest directions for future research and provide an opportunity for early career medical staff to participate in academia.
There is no consistency in the approach to case reporting within Australia with many institutions providing exemptions, alternate or no pathways for review or approval. Case reports provide detail on the treatment, disease or other clinical phenomena related to the care of individuals within the Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Health Care Group. As such, the SCGOPHCG feel that a review is warranted to ensure that such reports align with the requirement of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research and the hospitals policy and legislative obligations. Activity which is eligible for review as a case report or series is considered via a non-HREC process through Quality Improvement (QI).
Please visit the SCGOPHCG SQP Quality Improvement SharePoint page (staff only access)
Where consent cannot be obtained, guidance must be sought from the WA Health Central HREC, HREC@health.wa.gov.au.