Animal studies

What animal research involves

Animal studies play an important role in advancing scientific knowledge and improving health outcomes for both humans and animals. They are often a critical step in the development of new therapies, medicines and medical technologies, underpinning the clinical trials that follow with human participants.

Animal research spans a broad range of scientific disciplines, including biomedical research, pharmacology, toxicology, veterinary medicine and translational science.

Studies involving animal models, such as mice and rats, may be undertaken to:

• Better understand disease processes and biological mechanisms
• Evaluate the safety and efficacy of potential new therapies
• Investigate the effects of medicines and medical interventions
• Support the development of treatments that may progress to human clinical trials
• Advance animal health and veterinary care

While alternatives to animal research continue to evolve — including New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that can complement, reduce and in some cases replace the need for animals in research — animal studies remain an important component of some areas of scientific and medical research.

Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) provides specialised review

If your research involves animals — whether studying animal health directly or using animal models to support human health research — it will need to be reviewed by an ethics committee.

Set up in 2025, Bellberry’s specialised Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) provides independent, scientific and ethical review of animal research in accordance with the NHMRC’s Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes.

Our committee members include expert veterinarians and researchers, animal welfare and lay members.

The Bellberry AECs focus on pre-clinical studies in human health and animal health research. For more on its structure, expertise and process, see Animal Ethics Committee.

Bellberry’s AECs can support sponsors, investigators and organisations:

• Conducting animal-based health research studies
• Using animal models in their health research
• Requiring independent AEC review for pre-clinical studies

Building on Bellberry’s reputation for streamlined, high-quality Human Research Ethics Committee review, our AECs bring the same commitment to rigour, timeliness and independent oversight to animal research ethics.

“We greatly value the partnership and support that we have received from Bellberry… we appreciate the open and collaborative relationship that we have enjoyed and would like to acknowledge the consistently high quality and thoroughness of the AEC process that Bellberry has provided.”

How to submit your animal study for review

We partner with organisations seeking to use an independent AEC. In addition to meeting the 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 license application. We work closely with state regulators to support this process.

If you’re considering using a Bellberry AEC for your animal studies, please get in touch. There are key regulatory requirements we’ll need to work through with you to establish the Committee appropriately.

For more information about the AEC service, contact:

• Trina O’Donnell, Director of Strategic Projects
• Phone: 08 8361 3222
• Email: trinaodonnell@bellberry.com.au
• General AEC queries: bellberryaec@bellberry.com.au