Ethical conduct of research activities involving animals or human participants is governed by guidelines contained in legislation and policies. The primary purpose of these guidelines is to ensure:

	the humane care of animals used for scientific purposes, including teaching;
	the protection of the welfare and the rights of human participants.

The secondary purpose is to facilitate research that is, or will be, of benefit to the researcher's community or humankind.

University Council established the Animal Ethics Committee and the Human Research Ethics Committee to administer these guidelines, to provide assistance to staff and students in the consideration of ethical issues involved in research, and to apply policy.
The Research Ethics Team is involved in a number of activities including:

	providing information, support and guidance to staff and students regarding research ethics
	providing administrative support for the Animal Ethics Committee and the Human Research Ethics Committee
	liaising between the Committees and applicants
	conducting a preliminary review of applications
	providing feedback to applicants prior to submission of the application for ethics approval
	ensuring that all approved research projects are effectively monitored
	developing, implementing, reviewing and updating policies and procedures relating to research ethics
	ensuring that the Committees and the University are compliant with relevant State and Federal legislation relating to the ethical conduct of research
	reporting to the University, the National Health and Medical Research Council, and other relevant organisations.