SA Health research ethics

SA Health human research ethics committees

There are currently four research offices that support Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) within the South Australian public health system.

Which HREC should researchers apply to?

Researchers should apply to the most relevant HREC for their study. Generally this is the HREC that is associated with the institution where the research is to be conducted, however it can also include where the Principal Investigator is located, the type of research and the specialties of the HREC.

If unsure, please contact a relevant Executive Officer and discuss the matter with them.

Certified ethics committees

All four SA Health HRECs have been certified by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) to conduct the single ethical and scientific review of NMA research proposals relevant to their expertise.

Department for Health and Wellbeing Human Research Ethics Committee

The DHW HREC is the primary HREC reviewing data linkage projects in South Australia. The committee evaluates and manages proposals conducted by SA Health staff and/or external researchers seeking access to SA Health data and/or clients.

DHW HREC certification research categories include:

  • population health and/or public health
  • qualitative research
  • mental health
  • other health and medical research:
    • data linkage research

Central Adelaide Local Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee

The CALHN HREC is responsible for the ethical and scientific review of research proposals, including clinical trials and health/medical research projects, associated with CALHN. This includes the Royal Adelaide Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

CALHN HREC certification categories include:

  • phase I, II, III and IV clinical trials
  • clinical trials drugs and devices
  • clinical trials surgery
  • clinical interventional research other than clinical trials
  • population health and/or public health
  • qualitative research
  • mental health

The Southern Adelaide Clinical Human Research Ethics Committee

The SAC HREC is a joint committee of Southern Adelaide Local Health Network and Flinders University. The SAC HREC reviews research, including clinical trials, being undertaken within SA Health (including SALHN, Drug and Alcohol Services SA and SA Ambulance Service), Flinders University, as well as applications from external organisations which have requested the SAC HREC review studies on their behalf. SALHN includes Flinders Medical Centre, Noarlunga Health Service and Southern Mental Health services.

SAC HREC certification categories include:

  • clinical trials phase I, II, III, IV
  • qualitative research
  • mental health
  • paediatric research
  • other health and medical research:
    • palliative care
    • oncology
    • intensive care

Women’s and Children’s Health Network Human Research Ethics Committee

The WCHN HREC undertakes ethical review of paediatric research, research pertaining to women’s health and projects in obstetrics and gynaecology. The WCHN HREC undertakes ethical review for research conducted at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and all other SA Health sites, as well as other institutions when requested.

The WCHN is the primary paediatric HREC in South Australia.

WCHN HREC certification categories include:

  • clinical trials phase I, II, III, IV
  • clinical trials drugs and devices
  • clinical trials surgery
  • clinical trials other
  • clinical interventional research other than clinical trials
  • population health and/or public health
  • qualitative research
  • mental health
  • paediatric research
  • other health and medical research:
    • women’s health
    • genetic studies
    • oncology
    • tissue banking

Regional health services research projects

Research projects within the six regional local health networks should be submitted through one of the metropolitan HRECs listed above.

Aboriginal health research

Approval from the Aboriginal Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC) needs to be sought for any research that involves:

  • the experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as an explicit focus of all or part of the research
  • data collection that is explicitly directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
  • research methodology that separately identifies Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the results
  • information that has an impact on one or more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
  • a geographic location where a significant number of the population are likely to be of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander origin (based on 4.7.6 of the National Statement 2023)
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health funds are a source of funding.

AHREC review is required in addition to the review by an appropriate SA Health HREC, if both organisations are involved in the research. If you are unsure whether your research requires AHREC approval, please contact the Aboriginal Health Council for advice.

SA NT DataLink

SA NT DataLink is part of an Australian wide national data linkage network, the Population Health Research Network (PHRN). SA NT DataLink supports population-based data linkage research and provides access to accurate and unbiased information held by Government agencies and other organisations that can better inform research, policies and practices. For further information and details about applications, refer to the SA NT DataLink website.

SA Health research governance

In addition to the ethical review of research, it is mandatory that researchers obtain governance review in the form of a site specific assessment (SSA) before commencing research at any SA Health site. These distinct and important reviews ensure the quality of research and maintain the welfare of research participants. The SA Health research governance page has further information about this process, including details of how to submit an SSA application.