WA health system ethics reform: researchers
WA health system ethics reform: researchers
At each step of the reform, researchers will receive updates from the Department of Health (the department) via various channels.
The department and HSPs will endeavour to minimise disruption during transition to the WA Health Central Human Research Ethics Committee (Central HREC).The stepped integration of the HSP based HRECs into the Central HREC began in the first quarter of 2024 and is scheduled for completion in the first half of 2025.
As of 28 January 2025, the following types of submissions should be directed to the Central HREC.
- ALL new project applications (unless that application requires review by a Lead HREC under NMA).
- Post approval monitoring submissions for projects that were approved by the Royal Perth Hospital (RPH), WA Country Health Service (WACHS), Women’s and Newborn Health Service (WNHS) and North Metropolitan Area Mental Health (NMAMH) HRECs
In addition, the following types of submissions can be directed to the Central HREC:
- Projects determined to be of lower risk as defined by the National Statement 2024 (N.S. Section 2.1)
Queries relating to the ethics review process should be directed to the Central Office for Research Ethics (CORE) at HREC@health.wa.gov.au. Where the submission needs to be redirected or resubmitted, staff at HSP research offices and the CORE will provide support to ensure a smooth transition.
The following types of submissions should be directed to either the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS), the South Metropolitan Health Service (SMHS) or the Sir Charles Gairdner Osborne Park Healthcare Group (SCGOPHCG) HREC as appropriate:
- New more than lower risk projects that require review by a Lead HREC under the National Mutual Acceptance (NMA) scheme.
- Post approval monitoring submissions for projects that are currently being monitored by either CAHS, SMHS or SCGOPHCG HRECs as appropriate.
- Projects determined to be of lower risk as defined by the National Statement 2024 (N.S. Section 2.1)
The RPH, WACHS, WNHS and NMAMH HRECs are no longer accepting submissions of any kind for ethics review.
Research governance
Research governance processes will not change as part of the ethics reform and the research governance offices will continue to review applications for site approval. Applications for site approval should be submitted to the appropriate research governance office via the RGS as is current practice.
Approved projects
Ethics monitoring (post-approval) submissions
Ongoing ethical oversight of all previously approved projects is being transferred progressively to the Central HREC with system-wide integration anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2025.
As of 28 January 2025, the ethical oversight of active research projects previously approved by the DoH (as a Lead HREC), NMAMHS, WNHS, WACHS and RPH HRECs has been transferred to the Central HREC. Monitoring submissions (amendments, safety reports, annual progress reports and site and project final reports) for projects approved by these HRECs should be submitted to the Central HREC.
For projects previously approved by the SCGOPHCG, SMHS and CAHS HRECs, amendments, safety reports, annual progress reports and site and project final reports should be submitted to these HRECs for review until you are advised otherwise.
Submissions to the WA Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee (WAAHEC)
WAAHEC is a specialist HREC that operates externally to WA Health and is therefore outside the scope of this reform. Submissions to WAAHEC will continue to be managed via their existing processes.
Please refer to the WAAHEC website for more information on their submission processes: Western Australian Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee – AHCWA (external site).
More information
For more information on the reform, contact the CORE 08 9222 4214 or via HREC@health.wa.gov.au
Last reviewed: 04-02-2025
Produced by
Office of Medical Research and Innovation