DRNSW Animal Ethics

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is firmly committed to the ethical treatment of humans and animals participating in research.  As an accredited establishment under the NSW Animal Research Act, DPIRD has Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) that oversee the care and use of research and teaching animals. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that activities involving animals for research and teaching purposes comply with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code) and relevant legislation.

The role of the AECs involves but is not limited to:

• the assessment that the care and use of animals for scientific purposes is justifiable, balancing the potential effects on the wellbeing of the animals involved against the potential benefits to humans, animals or the environment, and
• supporting the wellbeing of animals by applying the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement).

Current Vacancy - Category D Member

The DPIRD Orange AEC currently has a vacancy for a Category D (Community) member, which is defined as a person not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution and who has never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education.

Duties Include:

• Provide recommendations of an independent nature.
• Attend AEC meetings (6 per year).
• Review Animal Ethics submissions and documentation prior to AEC meetings.
• Participate in animal facility inspections.

Essential Criteria

Candidates must be able to demonstrate:

• They are not employed by or otherwise associated with the institution,
• They have never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education.

Category D members should be viewed by the wider community as bringing a completely independent view to the AEC and must not fit the requirements of any other category.

Expression of Interest

A written expression of interest (no more than one page), along with a short curriculum vitae (no more than two pages), is invited from suitably qualified persons. The expression of interest must specifically:

• demonstrate how the above Category D and Essential Criteria are met, and
• explain why you are interested in serving on the Orange AEC.

Expressions of interest will be accepted by email to research.integrityandethics@dpird.nsw.gov.au until 5 pm 26^th March 2026.

Please email as above if you have any questions regarding your application prior to the cutoff date.