Organisations which use animals in research and teaching must apply for accreditation as accredited animal research establishments. Such organisations include:

• institutions
• companies
• hospitals
• research institutions
• Government departments
• universities.

Research and teaching establishments cannot be accredited without a properly constituted Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to oversee animal research within the establishment.

The accredited animal research establishment will issue animal research authorities annually and only on an approved form. These, in practice, are equivalent to AEC approvals for specific protocols.

Researchers in an institution cannot undertake procedures where animals are used without the approval of the AEC.

Application procedures

Applicants for accreditation must complete Form A - Application for accreditation of a corporation as an animal research establishment and return it to the Animal Welfare Unit with the fee made payable to NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Application fees reflect the size of the establishment, based on the number of holders or proposed holders of animal research authorities.  The fee for institutions with less than 10 animal research authority holders is $250.  For those with from 10 to 75 animal research authority holders it is $500.  For those supervising more that 75 animal research authority holders, the fee is $1,500.

All applicants are required to complete all three sections of the form.  Accreditation is initially for one year; then for three years for renewal applications.

Applications will be checked by staff of the Animal Welfare Unit. Applicants may be asked for clarification, particularly regarding qualifications of the nominated AEC members.

Renewal applications should provide details of how any conditions that have been placed on the accreditation have been complied with.

Animal Welfare Unit staff and a sub-committee of the Animal Research Review Panel consider applications and make recommendations to the full Panel.  The Panel considers these recommendations and advises the Director-General of NSW Department of Primary Industries on whether applications should be approved and on what conditions.

The Director-General considers the Panel's recommendations and makes a decision within 90 days.

Applicants are advised in writing of the outcome and  also receive a certificate listing conditions and locations, as appropriate.

Accreditation remains in force for twelve months for the initial application and three-yearly thereafter and may also be subject to a number of conditions.

Applicants unhappy with a decision can lodge an appeal with the Administrative Decisions Tribunal.

All applications will be treated in confidence.