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Animal ethics

Research support Research integrity, ethics and compliance Animal ethics

On this page

     Applying for and managing your animal ethics approval  Policy, legislation and guidelines  Animal facility standard operating procedures  Training  Contact us

Related links

     Animal Ethics Contacts  Wildlife on Campus  Animal ethics (NHMRC)  Australian & New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART)  National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement & Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)

Researchers including students who wish to undertake research involving animal subjects, must obtain ethics approval from the Flinders University Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) before commencing any research or teaching activities involving the use of animals. The term animals refers to live non-human vertebrates (fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals), and cephalopods (such as octopus and squid). This definition encompasses domestic animals, purpose-bred animals, livestock, and wildlife.

If your work involves animals not covered by the Australian Code for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th edn, 2013 (the Code), or any tissues/samples/data obtained from any animals (regardless of whether they are covered by the Code or not), then the project must first be added to the Register. For more information regarding the Register, please read the Register guidelines.

 

Licences for teaching, research or experimentation involving animals

It is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure that all necessary permits and licences are in place prior to commencing any research or teaching activity involving animals. Severe penalties may be imposed if appropriate licences are not obtained.

South Australia

Flinders University is licensed under Section 17 (2) of the Animal Welfare Act 1985 to use animals for teaching, research or experimentation purposes. A condition of licence is that the acquisition and use must first be approved by the AWC.

Work involving animals in the wild also requires a Scientific Permit from the SA Department of Environment and Water (DEW) and/or from Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA). Further information on how to obtain a Scientific Permit can be found on the DEW Scientific Research Permits page.

Other Australian states and territories

The requirements for the acquisition and use of animals vary between the Australian states and territories. In some cases, you may need to obtain a licence, in addition to obtaining approval from the AWC.

Where an individual licence is required, the cost is to be covered by the research project. If multiple researchers require licences to work within a single jurisdiction, they will share the cost of a licence for the relevant period. In the first instance, please check requirements for the area/s in which you intend to work and then contact the Animal Ethics Officer to determine whether a licence is already in place.

Overseas countries

It is the responsibility of the researcher to ensure that all necessary permits and licences are in place prior to commencing any research or teaching activity involving animals in an overseas country.

The role of the Animal Welfare Officer (AWO)

The University’s part-time Animal Welfare Officer (AWO) is based in Research Development and Support and is responsible for providing veterinary care and monitoring animal welfare within the University.

The AWO is responsible for ensuring that the use of animals for research and teaching complies with the highest standards of animal welfare required by the University, and with the Australian Code for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th edn, 2013 (the Code).

The role of the AWO includes providing advice to researchers on the design of experiments to ensure that these activities reflect humane and ethical treatment of animals.

Raising concerns about animal welfare

Any staff, student or member of the public who has concerns about the well-being of animals held at Flinders University for use in research or teaching, or of wildlife involved in field studies conducted under the auspices of Flinders University, should contact the AWO or the Animal Ethics Officer. They will ensure that the concern is reported.

Animal welfare concerns may include perceived:

  • Departure from the practice of humane and ethical treatment of animals in animal care facilities, laboratories or fieldwork locations;
  • Breaches or non-compliance with the Animal Welfare Act 1985, regulations or associated Codes of Practice; or
  • Breaches or non-compliance with the Australian Code for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th edn, 2013 (the Code) or University policies and guidelines relating to research or teaching involving animals

All concerns are treated confidentially and every effort will be made to address matters raised in a timely fashion.

You can download further information about the AWC complaints and enquiries. 

Wildlife on campus

If any staff member, student or visitor wishes to report an issue with any species of wildlife on the University campus, e.g., snakes, birds, koalas etc. please follow the advice on the Security - wildlife on campus.

Animal facilities

Flinders University has two primary animal facilities located in the College of Medicine and Public Health and the College of Science and Engineering. The Manager of the appropriate facility should be contacted before you submit an Animal Ethics applications.

The College of Medicine and Public Health Animal Facility (SOMAF) has its own website with various important information for researchers who wish to use the facility.

Applying for and managing your animal ethics approval

Applying

Application forms, coversheets and templates

Managing your approval

Policy, legislation and guidelines

Researchers, including students, who wish to undertake research involving animals must obtain approval from the relevant committee before commencing the experiments.

Relevant legislation and codes

The State Government of South Australia Animal Welfare Act 1985

The Animal Welfare Act 1985 (the Act) governs the operation of animal ethics committees in South Australia and the use of animals in research and teaching. Appended to the Act, and therefore having the force of law, is the Australian Code for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th edn, 2013 (the Code).
 

Australian Code for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th edn, 2013 (the Code)

The Code provides an ethical framework and governing principles to guide the decisions and actions of all those involved in the care and use of animals. It outlines the responsibilities of investigators, animal carers, institutions and animal ethics committees, and establishes clear processes to ensure accountability.

In addition to the Code, the NHMRC website includes a number of other useful references, policies and guidelines relating to animal welfare matters.

Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) policies and guidelines

Flinders University has established the following policies and guidelines to complement the Animal Welfare Act 1985 and the Australian Code for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th edn, 2013:

  • AWC terms of reference
  • General guidelines for Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) practices and decisions are outlined in the AWC Operating Procedures Guide
  • Replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs)
  • Public statements concerning animal use
  • Clinical Monitoring Guidelines
Animal facility inspections

The Animal Welfare Committee performs a general inspection of each animal facility annually. A second annual inspection may also be performed to target a specific issue, such as clinical record sheets, adverse events, cleanliness and hygiene, and labelling of animals and cages.

Animal facility standard operating procedures (SOPs)

 

SOP and approved dates list

  • Standard operating procedures (SOPs) list - 13 October 2020

College of Medicine and Public Health

SWMS title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SWMS for First Aid of Animals in Animal Facility 6 June 2019
SWMS Necropsy of Rodents for Animal Welfare Investigations 6 June 2019
SWMS Emergency contingency (CMPHAF) 8 June 2019
Mice
 
SWMS title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SWMS for Mouse: Morris Water Maze Test 5 21 May 2019
SWMS for Mouse: Sexing, Handling, Restraint and Ear Notching 6 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: Injection Techniques 9 17 September 2020
SWMS for Mouse: Blood Collection 7 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: Anaesthesia and Analgesia 9 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: Methods of Humane Euthanasia in Mice 7 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: Oral Gavaging in Mice 7 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: Transportation 8 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: General Husbandry 8 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: PC1, PC2 and Infectious Containment Husbandry 8 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: Breeding and Colony Maintenance 4 18 June 2019
SWMS for Mouse: Post-Operative Care 3 19 May 2020
Rats
 
SWMS title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SWMS for Rat: Sexing, Handling, Restraint and Ear Notching 7 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rat: Injection Techniques 9 13 October 2020
SWMS for Rat: Blood Collection
(contact animal.welfare@flinders.edu.au)
6 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rat: Anaesthesia and Analgesia 8 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rat: Time Mating 5 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rat: Methods of Humane Euthanasia in Rats 6 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rat: Transportation 5 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rat: Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) treatment in rats 5 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rat: Zucker Breeding and Colony Maintenance 4 18 June 2019
Sheep
 
SWMS title Current approved version number AEC approval date
SWMS for Sheep: Catching, Handling and Restraint 5 21 May 2019
SWMS for Sheep: Injection Procedures 5 21 May 2019
SWMS for Sheep: Blood Collection Procedures 5 21 May 2019
SWMS for Sheep: Anaesthesia 5 21 May 2019
Rabbits
 
SWMS title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SWMS for Rabbit: Sexing Handling and Restraint 4 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rabbit: Daily Monitoring and Maintenance 4 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rabbit: Breeding 7 17 September 2020
SWMS for Rabbit: Injection Techniques 3 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rabbit: Humane Euthanasia 4 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rabbit: Blood Collection 4 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rabbit: Transportation 3 18 June 2019
SWMS for Rabbit: Antibody Production 3 18 June 2019
Guinea pigs
 
SWMS title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SWMS for guinea pig: Daily Husbandry Procedures 6 18 June 2019
SWMS for guinea pig: Breeding and Weaning Procedures 3 21 May 2019
SWMS for guinea pig: Transportation 1 21 May 2019

 

College of Science and Engineering

SOP title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SOP for the use of the College of Science and Engineering animal facility 10 September 2019
SOP for emergency management 7 18 June 2019
Reptiles
 
SOP title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SOP for Working with Lizards 12 18 June 2019
SOP for Tawny Dragon Captivity and Hatching with Release 8 18 June 2019
Birds
 
SOP title Current approved version number AEC approval date
SOP for Working with Small Birds 8 18 June 2019
Marsupials
 
SOP title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SOP for Spotlighting Common Brushtail Possums 8 21 May 2019
Aquatic animals
 
SOP title Current approved version number AWC approval date
SOP for Use of Marine and Aquaculture Facilities 9 18 June 2019
SOP for Working with Aquatic Organisms 1 31 March 2020
SOP for Working with Little Penguins 6 18 June 2019
SOP for Purple Spotted Gudgeon Presence-Absence and Egg Surveys 6 18 June 2019

 


SA wildlife animal ethics committee SOPs

Refer to the Department for Environment and Water policies for wildlife research webpage.

 

Additional references

  • NC3R's Mouse Grimace Scale
  • NC3R's Rat Grimace Scale
  • NC3R's Rabbit Grimace Scale
  • Ten practical realities for institutional animal care and use committees when evaluating protocols dealing with fish in the field (2015)
  • Shark and Ray Handling Practices
  • The ARRIVE Animal Research: Reporting on In Vivo Experiments Guidelines (2020)
  • Husbandry Guidelines for Penguins (2009)
  • Managing Disease Risk in Wildlife Management 2017
  • AVMA Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals (2020)
  • NHMRC: A guide to the care and use of Australian native mammals in research and teaching (2014)

Training

The Chief Investigator of a project is responsible for ensuring that provisions are made for the education, training and supervision of all staff and students listed on their project.

 

Animal Ethics Online Training (AEOT)

It is a requirement of the University, the South Australian Animal Welfare Act 1985 (Act) and the Australian Code for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th edn, 2013 (the Code) that institutions, animal ethics committees, and people involved in any aspect of the care and use of animals for scientific and teaching purposes must be aware of and accept their responsibilities, and act in accordance with the Code.

In order to work with animals at Flinders University, all staff and students (both internal and external) MUST complete Flinders University’s Animal Ethics Online Training (AEOT) (which will take approximately 1 hour) before they can apply for an animal ethics application. In addition, all staff or students who are new to animal research must also attend the next available Animal Ethics Group Workshop. New staff who have significant previous experience may be granted an exemption by the AWC upon application.

This training will provide you with the knowledge and skills to promote the ethical, humane and responsible care and use of animals for scientific and teaching purposes. It consists of short readings, followed by a multiple choice quiz.

For external personnel - In order to access AEOT, you must have a current FAN. A temporary external FAN can only be requested by someone with a current FAN, meaning that only a current Flinders staff or student member can submit a request. 

For further information, or if you experience any problems, please contact the Animal Ethics Officer, Animal Welfare Committee.

Animal Welfare Refresher Training (AWRT)

It is a requirement of the University, the South Australian Animal Welfare Act 1985 (Act) and the Australian Code for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes, 8th edn, 2013 (the Code) that institutions, animal ethics committees, and people involved in any aspect of the care and use of animals for scientific and teaching purposes must be aware of and accept their responsibilities, and act in accordance with the Code.

In order to work with animals at Flinders University, all staff and students (both internal and external) MUST complete Animal Ethics Online Training (AEOT) followed by Animal Welfare Refresher Training (AWRT)  (which will take approximately 30 minutes) every three years before they can apply for animal ethics approval.

This training will provide you with the knowledge and skills to promote the ethical, humane, and responsible care and use of animals for scientific and teaching purposes. It consists of short modules, followed by a multiple choice quiz.

Animal Welfare Refresher Training (AWRT) can be accessed via https://flo.flinders.edu.au/course/view.php?id=62819.

For external personnel - In order to access AWRT, you must have a current FAN. A temporary external FAN can only be requested by someone with a current FAN, meaning that only a current Flinders staff or student member can submit a request. 

For further information, or if you experience any problems, please contact the Animal Ethics Officer, Animal Welfare Committee.

Animal Ethics Group Workshop (AEGW)

All staff and students (both internal and external) must attend one Animal Ethics Group Workshop (AEGW) in order to work with animals. New staff who have significant previous experience may be granted an exemption by the AWC upon application.

The AEGW is a 2 hour small group workshop that focuses on the ethics application forms, clinical record sheets, animal scoring, the Animal Facilities, and covers some problem solving situations. The workshops will be staggered throughout the year. 

Check for when the next AEGW will be held.

Register now

Animal Researcher Information Session (ARIS)

The Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) hosts a 1 hour Animal Researcher Information Session (ARIS) at least twice a year for experienced researchers to be informed of recent updates and changes implemented, to refresh their knowledge and understanding of current thinking in animal welfare, and to be aware of current best practice. This is followed by an open panel discussion of issues raised by the participants.

It is mandatory that all researchers, after having completed animal ethics online training, must attend at least one session per year.

Check for when the next ARIS will be held.

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Register now

Animal facility induction and skills training

The animal facility manager for each respective facility will conduct an induction program for new animal facility users, and offer training in specific techniques for both new and senior researchers. Researchers will be supervised until considered competent, at which point their names will be entered on a skills register. Researchers should contact the relevant animal facility manager to enquire about this training.

Researchers are responsible for ensuring that all animal procedures and interventions are performed in accordance with their project’s Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) approval and any conditions pertaining to that approval. All procedures and interventions must be performed by a person who has received adequate training and is competent to perform them, or by a person under the direct supervision of someone who is competent to perform the procedure or intervention.

Competency training and assessment guidelines

Training in experimental procedures and animal care (Including handling)

If training is required for particular experimental techniques and procedures, animal handling, feeding, or general care you should contact the relevant animal facility manager.

Animal facility staff are qualified and trained in these areas. They are also aware of all experiments being conducted in their colleges, and can put you in contact with other researchers working in similar fields, if specialist advice is required for a particular experiment. They should therefore be the first point of reference for any queries or problems.

College of Medicine and Public Health Animal Facility (CMPHAF) offered training:

  • Handling (For rats, mice, guinea pigs & sheet)
  • Injection (For i.p., s.c., i.m., i.v.) (rats, mice, guinea pigs & sheep)
  • Sedation (via Isoflurane machine) (For rats, mice, guinea pigs & sheep)
  • Euthanasia methods (For rats, mice, guinea pigs & sheep)

College of Science and Engineering Animal Facility (CSEAF) offered training:

  • Handling (For reptiles, birds & fish)
  • Health monitoring (For reptiles, birds & fish)
  • Water quality management (For fish)
  • Injection (i.p., s.c. or i.m.) (For reptiles)
  • Injection (i.p., s.c. or, i.m.) (For birds)
  • Injection (i.v.) (For birds) (The Animal Welfare Officer must be present at this training)
  • Injection (For fish)
  • Sedation (water bath) (For fish)
  • Sedation (injection) (For reptiles & birds) (The Animal Welfare Officer must be present at this training)
  • Euthanasia methods (For birds & fish)
  • Euthanasia methods (For reptiles) (The Animal Welfare Officer must be present at this training)
Joint SA Universities animal welfare training days

The University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia, and Flinders University have created a range of joint training courses open to all staff and students from any institution. Further information will follow.

Other customised training and assessment activities that you or the AWC require can be organised by contacting the AWO at awo@flinders.edu.au.

Animal ethics contacts

The names and contact information for staff involved in the operation of Flinders’ Animal Welfare Committees are detailed below.

For general advice regarding the submission of applications to the Animal Welfare Committee, please contact the Animal Ethics Officer for the Animal Welfare Committee.

 

Animal Welfare Committee (AWC)

AWC Chair

Associate Professor Dani-Louise Dixon
Senior Lecturer, Critical Care Medicine, College of Medicine and Public Health

Manager, Research Ethics and Compliance

Hendryk Flaegel
animal.welfare@flinders.edu.au    

Animal Ethics Review Sub-Committee (College of Medicine and Public Health)

Animal ethics applications from researchers in the College of Medicine and Public Health are submitted to the Animal Ethics Review Sub-Committee (AERSC). For further information on how to submit your application visit the Applying for and managing animal ethics approval page.

AERSC Chair

Dr Mary-Louise Rogers
Research Fellow, Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health

AERSC Deputy Chair

Dr Yoichiro Otsuka
Senior Lecturer, Human Physiology, College of Medicine and Public Health

Manager, Research Ethics and Compliance

Hendryk Flaegel
animal.welfare@flinders.edu.au    

Animal Welfare Sub-Committee (AWS-C) (College of Science and Engineering)

Animal ethics applications from researchers in the College of Science and Engineering are submitted to the Animal Welfare Sub-Committee (AWS-C). For further information on how to submit your application visit the Applying for and managing animal ethics approval page.

AWS-C Chair

Associate Professor James Harris
Senior Lecturer, College of Science and Engineering

AWS-C Deputy Chair

Associate Professor Mike Gardner
College of Science and Engineering

Manager, Research Ethics and Compliance

Hendryk Flaegel
animal.welfare@flinders.edu.au    

Animal facility managers (AFM)

College of Medicine and Public Health Animal Facility

Ms Roxanne Collingwood
Facility Manager

College of Science and Engineering Animal Facility

Ms Leslie Morrison
Facility Manager

Animal Welfare Officer (AWO)

The Animal Welfare Officer (AWO) is available for drop-in consultations at the College of Medicine and Public Health Animal Facility every Friday afternoon, between the hours of 2 pm and 3 pm. Alternatively, he can be contacted at any time via the mobile number listed below.

Dr Lewis Vaughan
Mobile: 0450 424 143

Contact us

For general advice regarding the submission of applications for animal ethics approval, please contact the Animal Ethics Officer using the following details.

animal.welfare@flinders.edu.au

08 8201 5962

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