Apply for ethics approval

About the ethics review process

Our Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) reviews proposed research projects in our hospitals and health service. We can also review ethics applications for research outside of Metro South Health.

When you apply for ethics approval, we’ll assess your project against the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Statement).

You'll need to be able to show that:

• your research has scientific merit
• any benefits outweigh any associated risks
• the people who’ll work on your project are properly qualified
• you’ll treat the participants with respect, especially vulnerable groups
• you’ve considered the ethical issues associated with the methodology you'll use.

Visit Training and education for researchers for recorded videos on ethics, site-specific assessment, and grants.

Quality initiatives and research exemptions

Projects, such as clinical audits or quality initiatives, may not need a full ethics review.

Find out if your project needs a full review by reading the:

• Exemptions from research review
• List of submissions that don't need an ethics review [PDF 106.2 KB].

If your project doesn’t need a full review, you can use our Exemption: project description template. You’ll also need to submit the QLD Exemption Form in the Ethical Review Manager (ERM).

There's no closing date for exemption applications. You can apply at any time but you must do before starting your clinical audit or quality initiative. We do not provide retrospective approvals so if you think might like to publish - whether in a journal or at a conference - ensure you submit an exemption for HREC consideration before you start the work.

How to apply for an ethics review

Step 1: Prepare your research protocol

Before you can apply for an ethics review you'll need to create a research protocol.

Use our templates to help prepare your research protocol. These are a guide so some sections may not be relevant to your project and can be changed or deleted.

• Research protocol template
• Research protocol template: retrospective study
• Clinical trial protocol template

Step 2: Know your project's level of risk

The next step is to work out your project's level of risk. There are 2 types of research project:

• lower risk research – when the only risk to a person is discomfort
• higher risk research – when the risk to a person is more serious than discomfort.

The following documents and training will help you understand, assess and plan for risks in your research project.

• Assessing and managing risk in research
• Research risk assessment and management plan
• Data and privacy
• Research data risk assessment and management plan
• Risk assessment and management training (MSHLearn)
  • Email MSH-Research@health.qld.gov.au for external researcher access.

Include your project's overall risk rating in your research protocol.

Our HREC can help you understand your project's level of risk. Email MSH-Ethics@health.qld.gov.au and attach a copy of your draft research protocol.

Step 3: Prepare your supporting documents

Our Ethical review guidance document and checklist explains what supporting documents to submit when you apply for an ethics review.

Our HREC prefers our researchers use the new MSH participant information and consent form (PICF) template.

PICF details

Requirements for supporting documents are different for new research projects, retrospective reviews and clinical trials.

Step 4: Submit your ethics application

You must use the online Ethical Review Manager (ERM) to apply for an ethics review. If you're doing research in more than one place (multi-site research) you only need to submit one form.

Read the ERM how-to guides. If you need support using Ethical Review Manager (ERM), email ERMhelpdesksupport@health.qld.gov.au or call 07 3082 0629.  You can also check out the ERM help and frequently asked questions on the QLD ERM website.

After we've reviewed your application, we'll send you an email to let you know the outcome.

Application closing dates

Exemption and lower risk applications

You can apply for an exemption from ethics review or submit a lower risk application at any time. There's no closing date.

Higher risk applications

Our HREC meets on the first Tuesday of each month. You must submit your forms and supporting documents by 12 noon on a closing date (see below).

If you miss the deadline, you can use the Queensland HREC submission dates database to find another certified HREC to review your application.

2026 HREC dates

Fees

You may need to pay an administration fee when you submit your application. Make sure you include any fees as part of your research budget. Invoice details must be provided on the administration fees form.

Waiver of consent transparency

Apply for a site specific assessment (SSA)

You can complete your ethics application at the same time as your SSA in ERM. After you apply for an ethics review in the ERM, you need to submit your SSA application form so you can apply for governance authorisation.

Contact us

If you have any questions about the ethics review process, you can contact us by either:

• email: MSH-Ethics@health.qld.gov.au
• phone: 07 3443 8047 or 07 3443 8049.