A NSW Government website

NSW Government
Animal Ethics Infolink
A NSW DPIRD and Animal Research Review Panel initiative

Complaints

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (the Department) accepts both general and statutory complaints relating to the use of animals in research and teaching in NSW.

All complaints are treated confidentially. In addition, Section 56 of the Animal Research Act 1985 limits the disclosure of any information obtained in connection with the administration or execution of the Act.

To make a complaint to the Department, please contact the department by email or phone.

Statutory complaints under the Animal Research Act 1985

Procedures under sections 22, 28 and 42 of the Animal Research Act 1985 allow for statutory complaints to be made to the Secretary relating to an accredited research establishment, animal research authority holder or animal supplier’s licence holder. A complaint lodged in this manner must meet the requirements outlined in the Animal Research Act 1985 which include being:

  • In writing,
  • Specifying the grounds upon which it is made,
  • Signed by the complainant, and
  • Lodged at the office of the Secretary.

If these requirements are met, the Secretary will then refer the complaint to the Animal Research Review Panel for investigation and the preparation of a report. The report is then provided to the Secretary for consideration, and a determination is made to either:

  • Cancel the relevant licence/authority/accreditation,
  • Suspend the relevant licence/authority/accreditation for such a period as the Secretary sees fit,
  • Caution or reprimand the establishment or licence/authority holder, or
  • Dismiss the complaint.

As soon as practicable after determining a complaint, written notice of the determination will be provided to the complainant and the entity that was the subject of the complaint.

General complaints under the Animal Research Act 1985

General complaints can be made to the Department or can be made directly to the responsible Accredited Research Establishment (ARE) and/or the Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC). You may consider lodging your complaint directly with the ARE and/or ACEC in the first instance.

General complaints can be made either verbally or in writing and can be made anonymously. General complaints will be assessed to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to initiate an investigation. An investigation may lead to action being taken; however, these complaints are not subject to the specific procedures outlined for statutory complaints.

In most cases, general complaints received by the Department will be referred to the ARE or the ACEC for action in accordance with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code).

Complaints to Animal Ethics Committees & Accredited Research Establishments

AREs must have procedures for addressing complaints and non-compliance relating to the care and use of animals in research, which is a requirement within section 5 of the Code. An ARE must refer any complaint relating to an activity that would require ACEC approval directly to the ACEC for investigation.

ACEC membership must include veterinarians, animal welfare representatives, lay people and researchers. At least one third of ACEC members must be made up of animal welfare representatives and lay people. ACECs have a range of responsibilities which include overseeing and monitoring animal research, carrying out inspections, and investigating complaints.