Human Research Ethics Committee

All research conducted at CPL must be submitted for review by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC), which is registered with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) (#EC00417).

Written approval must be gained prior to commencing any recruitment activities with CPL clients or regional staff. Collaborative studies must also provide proof of ethics approval from the host committee overseeing the research.

The HREC accepts electronic applications only. Applications must be submitted using the: 

• NHMRC Human Research Ethics Application (HREA)
• Ethics Application form (for internal studies only) - available for staff on Intranet
• Prior to submission it is essential that you complete a Gatekeeper Approval Form and have this signed by the relevant CPL Manager. For enquiries about the Gatekeeper Approval Form, please contact us.

As well as the ethics application form, applicants must submit:

• All information & consent forms
• If the study involves children between 12-18 years, a child information form and child assent form must be provided
• If the study involves clients with complex communication needs, a symbolised information and consent form must be provided
• A copy of data collection instruments or test pages
• A copy of ethics approval from the host ethics committee (if this is not CPL)
• A copy of ethics approval of any prior amendments (if not from the CPL)
• A signed CPL Organisational Approval of Research Form

To find out when the next CPL HREC meeting is scheduled, please contact us.

Ethics clearance will be awarded for a maximum of 12 months at which time an annual report must be submitted. If the study is not complete, a request for extension can be submitted at this time.

All ethics applications must be submitted to the Chair of the HREC via the committee secretary. You will be provided with an email submission address if you are successful in gaining Gatekeeper Approval. The HREC does not accept applications without Gatekeeper Approval.
 

Contact the Chair of the Research Secretary for information on: 

• Becoming a participant in research
• Becoming a researcher or research student
• Forming a research collaboration with CPL
• Submitting applications for Gatekeeper Review
• Finding out more about research studies at CPL
• Finding out more about how the research improves CPL services

Contact the Chair of the Ethics Committee: 

• To report an injury or incident arising from a CPL research study
• To raise a question relating to the ethical conduct of a researcher

If you would like to raise a question or complaint about the CPL HREC processes, please follow the complaint procedure here.