Our Company

Bellberry is an independent, not-for-profit company dedicated to improving the welfare of research participants and supporting the highest ethical standards in human research. Our governance, leadership, and structure ensure integrity, transparency, and independence across every aspect of our operations.

Our Purpose

Bellberry Limited exists to promote and improve the welfare of research participants and the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research.

We do this by:

Operating independent Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) that review research proposals across Australia.
Providing robust governance and oversight in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025).
Supporting researchers, institutions and sponsors to achieve timely, high-quality outcomes without compromising participant safety.
Reinvesting all surpluses into initiatives that advance research ethics, education, and the broader research community.

Governance

Bellberry is governed by a board of non-executive directors. The Board is responsible for the appropriate management of Bellberry and ensuring the strategic objectives of the company are met.

The Board discharges these responsibilities through an ongoing program of meetings, engagement with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), appraisal and approval of annual operating budgets, governance structures, and company policies.

Bellberry, the Company, has very carefully ensured it has no influence on the decision-making of its Committees.

The fees charged are for the review of a study, regardless of the outcome. Fees are determined by the Board and CEO and are managed separately to the Committees. The Committees do not see financial statements of the Company and have no involvement in this facet of the business.

Commitment to Privacy

Bellberry complies with the National Privacy Principles (NPPs). This policy applies to all personal information that Bellberry collects and holds, including information about Bellberry’s employees.

We consider that respect for the privacy of research participants is a critical ethical issue.

Our privacy policy gives effect to our commitment to provide an excellent and high-quality service that respects the privacy of our staff and protects the highly confidential personal information we hold about HREC members, researchers, and their research projects.