To apply for research governance you'll need to submit a site-specific assessment (SSA) using the Ethical Review Manager (ERM).

Make sure you have ethics approval before you submit your SSA application.

Before you begin

Make sure you have ethics approval before you submit your SSA application

The governance review is a separate process from the ethical review and should be done in parallel with the ethics approval process.

The Principal Investigator on the SSA must be an employee of Children's Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service.

How to submit your SSA

We recommend that you discuss your research project with our research governance team before you develop your SSA. The team can talk you through the submission requirements and answer any questions you may have.

Email the Research Governance Office at CHQ_RGO@health.qld.gov.au for any assistance with the submission.

Step 1: Prepare supporting documents

You’ll need to submit the following documents with your SSA application.

• A cover letter listing all documents included in your submission, version numbers and dates
• The SSA form with all required signatures
• Research protocol
• HREC approval letter listing all ethically approved documents and Children's Health Queensland (CHQ) as an approved site
• A Letter of Support from the Head of the Department and supporting departments, as required
• Completed and signed study budget
• Investigator’s CVs

For more information on the process and submission requirements read:

• Site Specific Assessment and Authorisation of Research
• Research Governance Checklist

Supporting documents

You only need to provide this information if it's relevant to your project.

• Research Study Radiation Dose and Risk Assessment
• Copy of signed quotes for service providers such as pharmacy, pathology, and radiology
• Clinical Trial Research Agreements – Medicines Australia
• Form of Indemnity – Medicines Australia
• Indemnity and Compensation Guidelines – Medicines Australia
• Insurance certificate
• Clinical Trial Notification if appropriate
• Research Collaboration/Data Sharing Agreement
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) Certificate - for clinical trials only
• Using confidential information in research | Queensland Health

Step 2: Research governance fees

You'll need to pay a governance review and authorisation fee for any commercially sponsored research, Collaborative Research Group (CRG) studies, and research done by a private institution at a site across Children's Health Queensland.

Make sure you fill in the invoicing and fee form and submit it with your payment.

Fee schedule - current as at 1 April 2023

Item	Cost (including GST)
Initial site-specific assessment (SSA) review fee	$4,500
Amendments to research projects	$650
Site-Specific Assessment (SSA) review fee (New Application): collaborative or cooperative research group	$700 per site

Amendments include changes to the protocol, not including minor administrative changes.

We determine fees for sub-studies on a case by case basis. The HREC may request that the sub-study be submitted as a new application and charge the full fee.

Step 3: Submit your application

Once you've completed the documents, you can submit your application in ERM.

The Research Governance Officer (RGO) will review your application. They may ask you to answer extra questions or to provide more information about your application.

If everything's in order, the RGO will recommend that we authorise your research.

Start your research

Our Chief Executive, or delegate will send you a letter of authorisation so you can start your research.