Secretary's Animal Care & Ethics Committee

Department of Regional NSW (DRNSW) established the  Secretary’s Animal Care and Ethics Committee (Secretary’s ACEC) to give effect to section 25A of the Animal Research Act 1985 (the Act). The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is delegated to support and administer the ACEC.

The Secretary’s ACEC is responsible for:

• Considering applications for animal research authorities from external individuals and small accredited animal research establishments that are unable to establish their own Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and for the supervision of animal supply for research by individual holders of animal supplier’s licences.
• Ensuring that all animal care and use for research and education by Animal Research Authority holders and supply of animals by Animal Suppliers' Licence holders under its supervision comply with the Act and the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (the Code).

Secretary's ACEC Terms of Reference and Operating Procedures

• Secretary’s ACEC Terms of Reference.
• Secretary’s ACEC Operating Procedures
• Secretary's ACEC Grievance Procedures

Animal research and application to Secretary's ACEC for approval of projects

Secretary’s ACEC Circulars

The ACEC issues Circulars to the researchers and accredited establishments whose projects they oversee to increase awareness of obligations under the NSW Animal Research Legislation and the Australian code for the care and use of animals for research purposes, thereby helping ensure the wellbeing of animals used for research.

The Circulars can be found here

Secretary's ACEC Forms

The current forms and templates for the Secretary's ACEC are available below. Any new forms will be uploaded here. Please check this page to ensure you have the latest version of the form prior to making your submission.

Secretary’s ACEC Circulars

The ACEC issues Circulars to the researchers and accredited establishments whose projects they oversee to increase awareness of obligations under the NSW Animal Research Legislation and the Australian code for the care and use of animals for research purposes, thereby helping ensure the wellbeing of animals used for research.

The Circulars can be found here

Secretary's ACEC meetings and submission

Please find below the meeting and submission deadline dates for 2022. All submissions must be made by the submission deadline to be considered at the meeting. Submission to the Secretary’s ACEC can be sent to secretary.acec@dpi.nsw.gov.au

For further information, please email secretary.acec@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Meeting dates 2023