About Bellberry

Bellberry is Australia’s largest reviewer of clinical research, providing ethical oversight for around 40 per cent of the nation’s clinical trials. As a not-for-profit, we aim to protect the welfare of study participants and improve the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research.

Our purpose

Supporting safe, ethical research to improve human lives globally

Behind every new medicine, breakthrough treatment and health innovation is scientific research — and an ethical responsibility to protect the people who take part.

Bellberry exists to help researchers meet that responsibility.

As Australia’s largest independent provider of Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) review, we work with researchers across Australia and internationally to ensure studies are ethical, scientifically robust and focused on participant wellbeing.

For more than 20 years, we’ve combined independent ethics review with national leadership, education and sector collaboration to help strengthen research for the benefit of all.

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NHMRC-certified ethics committees meeting weekly

11,000+

Studies reviewed nationally since 2004

AAHRPP

Gold-seal accreditation

~40%

Of all TGA-registered clinical research reviewed by Bellberry

Our story

From a single ethics committee to a national leader

Bellberry was established in 2004 as a paradigm-breaker, after recognising the need for an independent Human Research Ethics Committee to support the growing volume of health and medical research being undertaken in South Australia.

Starting with a single committee in Adelaide, we have grown into Australia’s largest clinical trial reviewer.

Today, our 12 ethics committees support hundreds of national and international studies each year, ranging from First-in-Human clinical trials through to social science, behavioural and evaluation research.

More than half of all new therapies approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and other regulators have been seen by a Bellberry committee at some stage in their lifecycle.

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Our model

Not-for-profit reinvesting in the research community

Our model is unique – we’re not a corporation, and we’re not owned by anyone. Instead, we’re an independent not-for-profit.

Revenue generated through our Human Research Ethics Committee services is philanthropically reinvested back into the research sector through scholarships and fellowships, sponsorship and prize funds, project funding and direct action initiatives.

This creates an engine room for innovation, strengthening and advancing science globally and supporting the people behind it.

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Sector leadership

Working with government and industry to improve human research

The scale and breadth of studies we oversee gives Bellberry a unique, system-wide view of opportunities and challenges facing the research sector, allowing us to contribute meaningfully to continuous improvement.

We work alongside governments, regulators and industry organisations to help improve research policy and strengthen ethics guidance.

We also lead programs such as CT:IQ, supporting practical initiatives that make research more efficient, participant-centred and fit for the future.

Learn more about CT:IQ

“Everything we do is guided by our core purposes: protecting the welfare of research participants and improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research.”

Kylie Sproston

Bellberry Chief Executive Ocer

“Bellberry was founded in 2004 to solve a short-term and immediate problem in clinical trials in South Australia. Today, the company is recognised as a vital part of Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee ecosystem.”

Fraser Bell

Founding and Current Chair of Bellberry

“Bellberry has had an enormous impact on the Australian health sector landscape.”

Dr Michael James

Longest-serving Chair of a Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee.

Gold standard

Setting the benchmark for ethical review in Australia

Quality, independence and consistency underpin every decision Bellberry makes.

Our Human Research Ethics Committees combine scientific, medical, legal, community and pastoral care perspectives, pulling from a diverse talent pool to tailor each committee to your specific research needs.

We’re also proud to be Australia’s first organisation to achieve AAHRPP accreditation — the international benchmark for excellence in human research protection.

Together with robust governance, a fully electronic submission platform, dedicated support staff and a nation-leading average decision time of 21 days, researchers can expect independent, timely and rigorous ethical review.

Submit Your Research for Review

Why choose Bellberry

Expertise, efficiency and independent oversight

Choosing Bellberry means partnering with Australia’s leading independent human research ethics organisation.

Driven by purpose, not profit

As a not-for-profit, we exist to improve participant welfare and strengthen research integrity across Australia.
Extensive experience

Over 11,000 studies reviewed since 2004, including around 40% of all CTN-registered clinical trials in Australia.
Gold-seal accreditation

Australia’s first organisation to achieve gold-seal accreditation by AAHRPP, reflecting alignment with the National Statement and highest international standards in research ethics.
Specialist committees

12 HRECs supported by almost 200 expert members, providing tailored review across clinical, device and social science studies.
Nation-leading timeliness

Typical turnaround of about 21 working days from submission to decision, a national benchmark for speed and rigour.
Robust digital process

Fully electronic submission and virtual collaboration for seamless interaction and swift resolution of queries.
Dedicated support

Pre-submission triage, dedicated secretariat support and phone-based investigator assistance throughout the process.
Ongoing oversight

Optional independent site monitoring and policy forums maintain consistency and continuous improvement.

Animal Ethics Committee (AEC)

Reviews scientific projects involving animals to help you conduct your research ethically and in line with Australian requirements.

Consumer and Community Advisory Panel (CCAP)

Provides lived-experience perspectives from patients, family, friends and carers to strengthen the design of your research study before it goes to full ethics review.

Ethics Education and Support

An in-house Bellberry service providing education and advisory services to organisations Australia-wide, helping strengthen ethics knowledge and governance within your team