Department for Health and Wellbeing Human Research Ethics Committee

The Department for Health and Wellbeing (DHW) Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) receives and examines research and evaluation proposals initiated or conducted by SA Health staff and/or external researchers seeking access to SA Health data and/or clients. Applications are assessed in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2023) and the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018).

Submitting an application to the DHW HREC

Before beginning an ethics application, review the DHW HREC application process flowchart (PDF 155KB) for a summary of the steps to better understand the application process. Also consider the level of risk (PDF 192KB) involved for the research project.  All applications, including low risk applications, are reviewed by the full HREC - the DHW HREC does not have a distinct low risk pathway.

HREC submission documents 

Refer to the DHW HREC meeting dates and submission checklist (PDF 374KB) to ensure all relevant documents are attached to the application in Research GEMS, and that they are submitted in time for the meeting cut-off dates.

Mandatory documents include:

The DHW HREC is committed to reducing duplication between the protocol and the national Human Research Ethics Application (HREA) that is completed via Research GEMS online. If the information requested in the HREA is already documented in the protocol, respond with ‘Refer to section xxx in the protocol’.

Research GEMS

All research ethics applications must be submitted via Research GEMS online. Refer to the Research GEMS user guides for assistance. 

Once the a human research ethics application (HREA) is submitted, the DHW HREC Executive Officer will automatically be notified that the application is available to progress.

Peer review

The DHW HREC recommends that research ethics applications undergo a peer review process by a person independent of the project team, in accordance with the expectations outlined in the Australian Code for Responsible Conduct of Research (2018). Details of this review should be outlined in the ethics application form and a copy of the peer review report provided as an attachment to the application. Please note that the HREC reserves the right to request a peer review as part of its review process.

For more information:

Notification of a study-related adverse event

It is a condition of approval that the DHW HREC must be advised as soon as possible of any serious or unexpected adverse events that take place while a participant is taking part in a study. Where possible an adverse event should be reported by submitting the appropriate form in Research GEMS. If the person reporting an adverse event does not have access to GEMS,  then completing and submitting the Notification of a study-related adverse event form (DOCX 53KB) will notify the DHW HREC Executive Officer. Adverse events should be reported to the DHW HREC and copied to the local Research Governance Officers within 72 hours of the event occurring.

Ethical exemptions

As per the National Statement, some research may be eligible for exemption from ethics review. If a study satisfies the criteria within the Exemption checklist and request process (DOCX 79KB), complete the form and submit to the HREC Executive Officer at health.humanresearchethicscommittee@sa.gov.au

Quality assurance and evaluation activities

Quality assurance (QA) and evaluation activities are important in making better outcomes and more efficient and effective work processes for an individual or an organisation. The DHW HREC have compiled a QA checklist for DHW staff (DOCX 47KB) to assess if a project can be classified as QA. The committee is guided by the NHMRC’s Ethical Considerations in Quality Assurance and Evaluation Activities guidelines. Contact the Executive Officer for more information.

Contact

For further information relating to the DHW HREC, contact:

HREC Executive Officer
Office for Research
Telephone: (08) 7117 6376
Email: HealthHumanResearchEthicsCommittee@sa.gov.au