We recommend you talk to our human research ethics committee coordinator before submitting your application. It’s better to do this after you’ve done the planning phase of your project and you've finalised your project plan.
They can talk you through the submission requirements and answer any questions you may have. This will make it less likely that you miss something in your application and risk delaying the start of your project.
Contact our ethics coordinator by emailing CHQEthics@health.qld.gov.au.
When research causes more than just discomfort or inconvenience for study participants, it's standard risk. This includes emotional, physical, spiritual, and psychological wellbeing of participants.
If any of the following activities are involved, then your study may also require standard risk submission.
When a study involves an intervention to routine care. This may include a clinical trial of a device or drug, an educational intervention or an alternate treatment option.
Any studies involving genetic research.
The study has topics that participants may be uncomfortable talking about or find distressing such as anxiety, depression or sexuality.
Studies involving staff generally need a standard, full HREA application to protect their rights at work, whether they decide to take part or not.
There are more steps you need to take if your research focuses on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This also applies if you plan to compare Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with non-Indigenous people.
You’ll need to consult with the relevant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander bodies and communities. You’ll also need to provide letters of support and evidence of community consultation with your application.
Read more about Ethical guidelines for research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the National Health and Medical Research Council website.
Multi-site research applications need to be approved by a HREC that’s been certified by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Our HREC is registered with the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and is certified to review multi-site research in the following categories:
View a list of certified HRECs on the NHMRC website.
Design your research protocol first.
Your research protocol should include details on:
Use our Standard Risk Protocol Template.
You'll need to submit the following supporting documents with your application. It's a good idea to get started on these as soon as possible so you have plenty of time to submit your application.
The Standard Risk Submission Checklist will help you keep track of the documents you need for your application.
The checklist should be completed by the Coordinating Principal Investigator (CPI). The CPI is the person who will submit your research project to the HREC on behalf of other sites and coordinate the ethical submission.
It’s also important to include logos, page numbers, document version numbers, document names and dates on your study documents. Your project may evolve and change over time. Documenting the changes will ensure you’re using the most up to date version.
Provide the following information if relevant to your project.
Use the following templates.
Submit your application online using the Ethics Review Manager (ERM). Please note that for standard risk submissions, two hard copies are also required (see Standard Risk Submission Checklist)
Read the ERM how-to guides.
If your research is industry or commercially sponsored, you will need to pay review fees. This applies to single and multi-site projects, as well as collaborative or cooperative research group (CRG) research.
Read our Schedule of Fees.
After the HREC has done their review, you will receive an email and formal letter to advise the outcome of your application.
You also need to apply for governance authorisation if your study sites involve Queensland Health resources such as staff, patients or facilities. Even if you have HREC approval, your research cannot commence until you also have governance authorisation.
If your research has been given ethics approval and governance authorisation, you are required to report on your project's progress to ensure continuing approval.
Information about human research projects, including policies and guidelines for researchers and HRECs.