All institutions involved in research must meet high ethical standards and must comply with national and international laws and guidelines that are in place to protect research participants, and to ensure good research conduct and appropriate research oversight and governance.

The key document that guides and supports the ethical conduct of research in Australia is the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023. The Barwon Health Human Research Ethics Committee (BH HREC), with the support of the RDU, is responsible for the oversight and monitoring of research proposals involving human participants, to ensure that all research activities under the auspices of Barwon Health meet high ethical standards, in accordance with relevant guidelines including The National Statement.

The following meeting and submission deadlines apply for the Barwon Health Human Ethics Committee in 2023 and 2024.

NB: There is no deadline for negligible risk/ QA applications, site-specific assessment applications and amendments.

Submission Close Date

Final Wednesday of the previous month*

 Meeting Date

Second Wednesday of the month*
2024 Dates
31 January 14  February
21  February* 6 March*
27 March 10 April
24 April 8 May
22 May* 5 June*
26 June 10 July
31 July 14 August
28 August 11 September
25 September 9 October
30 October 13 November
27 November 11 December

*Note earlier submission and meeting date due to Easter

Click below to download the HREC Terms of Reference via PROMPT

Click below to download the HREC member list, operating procedures, conflict of interest guidelines and KPIs:

The Barwon Health Human Research Ethics Committee is made up of members from diverse backgrounds including researchers, consumers and members of the community, as set out in the National Statement.

Staff, external researchers and community members are welcome to enquire about current vacancies on the BH HREC.

The Barwon Health Research Office invites enquiries for the following membership categories:

  • Persons with current research experience that is relevant to research proposals received by BH HREC
  • A lawyer, who is not engaged to advise the institution

Please click here for further information on how to apply.