Applying for Human Research Ethics Approval (InSPIRE)

Please refer to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research while completing your application.

All Human Research Ethics applications and associated documents must be submitted via the online research management platform, InSPIRE. A user guide to assist with using InSPIRE is available on MyLearn.

To find the link to the applications please click on the type of application below that you will be submitting.

There are three types of application forms used to apply for Human Research Ethics approval, each corresponding to the level of risk posed to participants and researchers

Applicants should always begin with the Minimal and Low Risk application, unless they are certain that their project involves Greater than Low Risk, or they are applying for Reciprocal approval. Starting with the Minimal and Low Risk application helps prevent delays, as applications submitted incorrectly may be returned with a request to complete the correct version.

Minimal and Low Risk Application

This form is used for Minimal and Low Risk research. If you are unsure of your project's risk level, please complete Sections A and B of the form for guidance.

Note: External researchers and external student researchers cannot access InSPIRE to sign online. Please download the declaration, sign it, and attach it to your application.

Greater than Low Risk Application (HREA)

This form is used for research that is Greater than Low Risk. The HREA (Human Research Ethics Application) has been developed by the NHMRC, the governing body for Human Research Ethics Committees in Australia.

Reciprocal Application

If your project has already received approval from a registered NHMRC Human Research Ethics Committee, you may be eligible to undertake the Reciprocal approval process. To check your project's eligibility, click on the button above.

As external researchers are unable to log into InSPIRE or sign documents online, please download the appropriate declaration(s):

External Principal Researchers – download, sign, and attach the Principal Researcher Declaration to your application.
External Co-Researchers and External Student Researchers – download, sign, and attach the relevant Researcher Declaration(s) to your application."

Application Submission & HREA Meeting dates

Please be aware that the application process can take between 3 to 8 weeks to complete.

After your research is underway

During the course of your research, you may have the need to amend your project approval. You will also need to report to the HREC in relation to your ethics approval by providing 12 monthly Progress Reports and a Final Report at the conclusion of your data collection.

Please note: No research may be conducted during the lapsed period. If an extension of time is not submitted by the project end date, a new application will need to be submitted.

Variation Form

Variation Form: During the course of your research, you may need to amend your originally approved research protocol. This should be done using a Variation Form. Variations may include, but are not limited to, extensions of time, change of personnel, procedural changes and additional participants. A variation must be submitted to the HREC and approved before any changes to the approved project occur. Please note, researchers cannot conduct any research on the project if the approval has lapsed.

To vary your already approved project, log in to InSPIRE and create a sub-form for the relevant project.

Please note: If your project was approved prior to the introduction of INSPIRE, your project is considered a legacy project, and your capabilities within InSPIRE will be limited, as such your submission steps will vary slightly.

A user guide on how to initiate a variation is available on MyLearn.

Progress Report

Progress Report: A Progress Report is required to be submitted for every 12 months that a project is active. Submission of Progress Reports assist the institution in fulfilling requirements of monitoring approved research under Chapter 5.5 of the National Statement.

To submit a progress report log into InSPIRE and create a sub-form for the relevant project.

Progress reports must be completed when you are submitting a variation requesting an extension of time beyond the first twelve months. A Progress report cannot be used to request an extension of time. This must be requested using a variation.

Failure to submit progress reports is consider non-compliance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023 and the UNE Human Research Ethics Committee's Standard Operating Procedures.

A user guide on how to initiate a progress report is available on MyLearn.

Final Report/Project Abandonment Form

Final Report/Project Abandonment Form: Please complete a Final Report once the data collection phase of the project has been completed and submitted within two months of the expiry of a protocol. This form can also be used for projects that have been abandoned or not commenced. Researchers cannot conduct any research on the project if the project approval has lapsed.

To submit a final report log into InSPIRE and create a sub-form for the relevant project.

Failure to submit a final report is considered non-compliance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2023 and the UNE Human Research Ethics Committee's Standard Operating Procedures.

A user guide on how to initiate a final or abandoned report is available on MyLearn.

Complaints

Institutions may receive complaints about researchers or the conduct of research, or about the conduct of a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) or other ethical review bodies. Complaints can be made by participants, researchers, staff of institutions, or others. All complaints will be handled promptly and sensitively.

For all complaints:

If a resolution cannot be reached through internal processes, the complaint may be referred to an external agency or person upon mutual agreement by the parties concerned.
Following determination of a complaint about HREC process, the HREC should review the relevant procedures and re-evaluate any decisions in light of the reviewed process.
Researchers should be assured that submitting complaints about the merit of a HREC decision can be done confidentially and will in no way impact the any future ethics applications

Complaints about the conduct of HREC or HREC members

Complaints against the Human Research Ethics review process or the Human Research Ethics Committee can be submitted in writing via email to the Human Research Ethics Secretary. The submission should include details for the grounds of the complaint and the name and contact details of the complainant. Anonymous complaints will not be accepted. Any complaint received will be treated as confidential in order to best protect the complainant, respondent and members of the Human Research Ethics Committee.
Complaints will be sent to the Chair of the HREC for review. The HREC Chair and Secretary will review and investigate the complaint and work to propose a resolution. The Chair may call a sub-committee of HRE members to assist in investigating and resolving the complaint where appropriate. Any persons assessing the complaint will be required to declare any potential or actual conflicts of interest prior to review.
As part of the review process, the Chair, or Secretary on their behalf, may contact the complainant to request further information or clarify any issues. The Chair will determine if the complaint has merit. Having determined the complaint has merit, if the complaint is against a Committee member(s), the Chair will seek the members written response to the complaint.
The Chair will make a recommendation based on the evidence provided. The Secretary will notify the complainant of the HREC determination of the matter in writing.
The Secretary will invite the complainant to provide a written response to the recommendation within 10 business days.
If a resolution cannot be reached through internal processes, the complaint may be referred to an external agency or person upon mutual agreement by the parties concerned.
Recommendations from persons external to HREC or UNE can be made to the Chair, however, the resolution of the complaint lies with the HREC and this responsibility cannot be overridden. The HREC is an independent decision-making body established by UNE Council.
Following determination of a complaint about HREC process, the HREC will review the relevant procedures and re-evaluate any decisions and/or procedures in light of the reviewed process.
Complainants should be assured that submitting complaints against the HREC or about the merit of a HREC decision or process can be done confidentially and will in no way impact any future ethics applications.
Any complaints handled under this procedure will be consistent with the Guiding Principles outlined in the UNE Complaints Guideline and the Principles outlined in the UNE Code of Conduct.

Appeals against the rejection of an application

Where the HREC has rejected an application, the Principal Investigator can:

Submit a new application taking into consideration the feedback provided by the HREC or;
Lodge and appeal with the Chair specifying the grounds of the appeal in writing via email to the Research Ethics Office.
The Chair will investigate the appeal and its validity and recommend to the HREC an appropriate course of action. The Research Ethics Officer will notify the complainant of the determination and most appropriate course of action.

Appeals against approval of an application

The appellant may submit an appeal in writing via email to the Research Ethics Officer outlining the ethical or scientific issues or the perceived inconsistencies in the decision-making process.
The appeal along with any other relevant documentation will be reviewed and investigated by the by Chair.
The Chair will investigate the appeal and its validity and recommend to the HREC an appropriate course of action. The Research Ethics Officer will notify the complainant of the determination and most appropriate course of action.

Complaints about the conduct of an approved research project

The complaint must be submitted in writing via email to the Research Ethics Officer. The complaint should include the approval number or title of the project in question.
The complaint along with any other relevant documentation will be reviewed and investigated by the by Chair.
If the complaint relates to research conduct, it will be referred to the UNE Research Integrity Office to be dealt with under the UNE Procedures for Investigating Research Conduct Breaches or Related Complaints. The Research Integrity Office will inform the Chair of progress is assessing the complaint.
The Chair will investigate the appeal and its validity and recommend to the HREC an appropriate course of action. The Research Ethics Officer will notify the complainant of the determination and most appropriate course of action.