Become a HREC Member
Serving on a Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) gives you a front-row seat to some of the most exciting science in Australia and beyond. You’ll help protect participants through a rigorous ethical review process, backed by a professional and respectful team.
Express Your InterestWhat is a HREC member?
Bellberry Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) review studies involving humans to make sure they’re ethically and scientifically sound, and that participants are protected throughout.
As a HREC member, you bring your own expertise to that process, working alongside a multidisciplinary committee to assess studies before they go ahead and while they are being conducted.
You can learn how our HRECs operate here, including details on our current Chairs and Deputy Chairs.
Your work helps advance science worldwide
Joining a Bellberry HREC is more than just reviewing paperwork. You play a direct role in ensuring research goes ahead safely and ethically. Every study you assess could shape better treatment, better care, and better outcomes for people now and in the years to come.
“It’s amazing that the work we’re doing is playing a major role in patient care. For some conditions, people would have received a fatal diagnosis maybe five years ago. Now we’ve got improved quality of life and even improved outcomes.”
— Professor Andrew McLachlan AM, Bellberry HREC Chair & Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney
Who can become a HREC member
Bellberry welcomes individuals who bring thoughtful insight, professionalism and integrity to the review process. Members are expected to work collaboratively and uphold the high standards of independence and care that underpin Bellberry’s reputation.
Becoming a Bellberry HREC member offers flexibility, professional engagement, and the opportunity to play a critical role in the ethical review of human research.
Our HREC members are:
- Researchers and clinicians
- Legal professionals
- Pastoral care or community representatives
- Lay members — people not currently engaged in medical, scientific or legal work
We actively encourage applications from across Australia, including people with a diversity of backgrounds and experience.
Scientific member requirements
Knowledge and experience favourably considered for scientific members (those within categories (c) and (f) as defined by the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025)) — include:
- Experience in conducting research, particularly relating to drugs, devices, AI and digital health, epidemiology, behavioural/social sciences and evaluations
- Knowledge of research design and methodologies
- Knowledge and understanding of scientific and methodological requirements of research projects
- Active or recent experience in human research, particularly clinical trials or device development.
- Familiarity with national and international clinical research frameworks including the TGA, EMA, FDA and GCP
- Understanding of the TGA and how it relates to clinical research
- Relevant clinical experience and recognised qualifications and eligibility to practice in Australia (for medical members category c).
To ensure robust, multidisciplinary oversight, Bellberry is committed to providing the appropriate review expertise for each HREC meeting and every study within each HREC meeting. This often results in the minimum membership requirements as defined in the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025) 5.1.30 being exceeded.
All members should demonstrate:
- The ability to listen respectfully and express considered views
- Strong communication skills including the ability to consider and convey balance view points
- Comfort using computers and online systems for document review
- An understanding of the National Statement and relevant national and international human research guidelines
What’s involved in HREC membership
Bellberry HREC membership is a paid role that offers flexibility and professional engagement, supported by Bellberry’s experienced management team and digital systems that make participation simple and rewarding.
Meetings and time commitment
- Meetings are held online on Wednesday evenings.
- Time commitment is flexible — members of our scientific review panel are invited to join HREC meetings with studies within their area of expertise and interest. As such, the time commitment is variable. Some panel members join a Bellberry HREC meeting 3 or 4 times a year; others may join 12 or 20 times.
- Non-scientific members (community, legal, pastoral) may attend regular monthly meetings or occasionally, depending on personal preference and availability.
How reviews work
- Only new studies are discussed at meetings — amendments are handled electronically between meetings.
- Proposals are distributed 12 calendar days before each meeting.
- Post-meeting matters, including amendments and ongoing items are managed out of session and are required to be actioned within 48 hours.
- All relevant study documents, investigator correspondence and materials are accessed online via Bellberry’s secure portal.
- Our Member Team offer dedicated assistance ensuring that the review process runs smoothly and efficiently.
Ongoing learning and development
- New members receive a structured induction process with ongoing 24/7 support available.
- Bellberry offers comprehensive continuing education and training programs in research ethics, as well as networking opportunities through internal events and financial support for attendance at selected external events.
- Phase I studies are given special consideration including review by a pharmacologist and/or toxicologist. We provide additional support to our Committees via access to request expert advice from either external specialists and/or our in-house Ethics Specialist.
- You’ll receive a 20% discount on PRAXIS Australia training courses, including online courses, HREC courses and live virtual workshops — Bellberry is a founding member organisation of PRAXIS Australia
- Members also gain access to a private online portal, complete with a library of past education sessions, presentations and conference materials.
- We help keep track of your CPD as a HREC member, so the learning you do — through Bellberry or externally — is properly recognised.
Apply to become a HREC member
Bellberry welcomes expressions of interest from individuals with relevant expertise or community insight who wish to contribute to ethical research oversight.
Membership is based on an expression of interest process, and all submissions are carefully reviewed. Submitting an expression doesn’t guarantee a position, but your details will be reviewed and kept on file for future opportunities.
How to apply
- Thoroughly review the information on this page to ensure your eligibility.
- Complete the Expression of Interest Form and submit online, along with your CV. Expressions of interest will be acknowledged with an automated reply. Applications will be assessed and an update provided as soon as possible.
- If your expertise aligns with current needs, we’ll be in touch to discuss next steps.
For more information, call our Member Team on (08) 8361 3222 or email MemberTeam@bellberry.com.au.
Expression of Interest form
Ready to apply for Bellberry HREC membership? Complete our online form to register your interest in joining our committees.
Get answers to common queries
Thinking about becoming a HREC member? These answers cover the questions we hear most often.
Membership is a paid role, and members are remunerated for their time and contribution.
Bellberry welcomes people from a range of backgrounds, including researchers, clinicians, legal professionals, pastoral or community representatives, and lay members. See the ‘Who can become a member’ section above for the full requirements.
Meetings are held weekly, on Wednesday evenings. How often you’re asked to attend depends on your membership category and availability — some scientific members attend 3 to 4 meetings a year, while others attend 12 to 20. Non-scientific members may attend regularly or occasionally, depending on availability.
All HREC meeting are held virtually via Microsoft Teams. HREC members are required to have a computer with a good internet connection.
Proposals and supporting materials are distributed 12 calendar days before each meeting, giving you time to review everything in advance.
Any post-meeting or ongoing items should be actioned within 48 hours. Outcomes and any follow-up are managed through Bellberry’s secure online portal, so everything stays in one place.
Still have questions? We’re here to help.
Browse our full FAQs page or contact us for more guidance and information.
Explore a career at Bellberry
Looking for other ways to get involved? Join our team of innovative and dedicated professionals committed to making a difference in Australian research ethics.
