The Application Process for New Projects

The AEC must approve each application to use animals before it may commence. It is a legal offence for an individual to proceed without this approval. 

1. Download the current Application form and Guidelines.
   N.B. In particular situations a Special Cases Application Form should be used.
   
   
2. Seek advice from the AEC Secretariat / Chair or Contact us on the AECs requirements if you are unsure. The AEC needs enough information to ensure the 3Rs & Australian Code of Practice have been considered.
   
   
3. Use lay language - avoid use of scientific terms & supply glossary terms.
   
   
4. Discuss animal housing requirements with your Animal Facility Manager / Monash Animal Research Platform (Monash Animal Services)  as applicable. The facility manager will need to approve any animal procedures that the facility staff perform on your behalf, and sign the Application form.
   
   
5. Ask a colleague, and a non-scientist, to critique the Application.
   - clear, logical, lay, justified use of animals & numbers
   
   
6. Read & sign the Declaration. All co investigators and your Head of Department will need to read and sign their Declarations.
   
   
7. Send Application to the AEC secretary for consideration at the next AEC meeting.
   
   
8. Your AEC may interview you at the meeting.
   
   
9. Your AEC makes a decision to:
   - Approve the Application
   - Approve subject to minor changes
   - Not approve, require major rewrite & resubmission
   - Reject the Application
   
   
10. The AEC Chair signs the front page once the AEC approves the project. A copy is sent to the Chief Investigator as the official approval.

Only when written approval has been obtained on the animal part of the project commence.