Animal Ethics Committees

What is an Animal Ethics Committee?

An Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is an independent body that reviews research involving animals before it can begin.

The committee’s role is to ensure the research is ethically justified, scientifically sound and conducted in accordance with the animal welfare obligations set out in the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

In Australia, any institution conducting animal research must have that research approved by an AEC.

Without AEC approval, a study cannot legally go ahead.

Bellberry’s independent AECs

Bellberry is an innovator and nationwide leader in Human Research Ethics Committee delivery, and we bring the same high-quality processes, standards, efficiency and forward-thinking approach to our AECs.

After successfully piloting our first Animal Ethics Committee in 2025, we now offer our AEC services to support a broader range of animal research studies.

Our AECs review research involving both animal health and human health — including pharmacology and toxicology studies involving animal models such as mice and rats, which are often a critical step in developing new therapies and underpinning later clinical trials involving human participants.

By offering AEC services, Bellberry reinforces our commitment to integrity and rigorous ethical review throughout the entire research lifecycle — from early animal studies through to human clinical trials.

Commitment to reduction and alternatives

Bellberry is committed to reducing the incidence of animal testing in drug development wherever feasible.

Our work in this area includes researching alternative models, supporting education on the reduction of animal use, and contributing to the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) — approaches that aim to replace or reduce the use of animals in pre-clinical research.

Types of studies our AECs review

Bellberry’s AECs review a range of animal research studies, with a particular focus on:

• Pre-clinical studies toward human health outcomes
• Animal health research
• Pharmacology and toxicology studies
• Research involving animal models that underpins later clinical trials

Our AECs adhere to the principles set out in the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

How our Animal Ethics Committees work

AEC composition

In line with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research requirements, our committees are made up of people from a range of backgrounds, including researchers, veterinarians, animal welfare representatives and community members.

This ensures all proposals are assessed from multiple ethical, scientific and social perspectives.

State-specific requirements

In addition to meeting the Australian Code, Bellberry AECs comply with state-specific requirements.

As part of the approval process, organisations must nominate a Bellberry AEC as their institutional AEC in their animal research licence application. We work closely with state regulators to support this process.

Commitment to independence

Our Animal Ethics Committees are independent of any research organisation and operate under a transparent governance framework to ensure fairness, independence and accountability.

Our AEC Terms of Reference outlines:

• Committee structure and membership requirements
• Responsibilities and decision-making authorities
• Conflict of interest and confidentiality framework
• Review processes and reporting obligations

The review process

• Meetings are scheduled to support the timely review of applications.
• AEC members access all relevant study documents and correspondence online, with applications available to review 12 calendar days prior to each meeting.
• Applications are prepared, submitted and reviewed via Bellberry’s online portal, ensuring an efficient and streamlined process.