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Using Animals for Scientific Purposes
Animal Welfare
Animal Welfare
Using Animals for Scientific Purposes

Background
The Animal Welfare Act 2002 requires that a Scientific User or Supplier Licence must be obtained through the Department of Local Government and Regional Development. For the first time establishments will be monitored and inspected.

The use of live animals for scientific purposes has been an area of public concern for many years. In response to these concerns researchers, animal welfare groups and government agencies have collaborated to develop strict national standards. These standards are laid down in the "Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes" (the Code).

View the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes.

The purpose of the Code is to ensure the humane care of animals used for scientific purposes, including teaching.

Its aims are to:
  • Emphasise the responsibilities of investigators, teachers and institutions using animals;
  • Ensure that the welfare of animals is always considered;
  • Ensure that the use of animals is justified;
  • Avoid pain or distress for each animal used in scientific and teaching activities;
  • Minimise the number of animals used in projects; and
  • Promote the development and use of techniques which replace animal use in scientific and teaching activities.
The Code requires that scientific establishments create animal ethics committees to verify that the case of animal use is justified and to ensure adherence to the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.

This Code stipulates that those who plan to use animals for a scientific purpose must obtain written approval from the scientific establishment's Animal Ethics Committee before they start their work.

Animal Ethics Committee
An Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) must have a membership which will allow it to fulfil its terms of reference. It must comprise of at least four persons including a separate person appointed from each of the following categories.
  • A person with qualifications in veterinary science; (Category A)
  • A person with substantial recent experience in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities; (Category B)
  • A person with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience, furthering the welfare of animals and should be nominated by an animal welfare organisation; (Category C)
  • An independent person who does not currently and has not previously conducted scientific or teaching activities using animals. (Category D)
Further positions can be made from independent people not employed by the institution, however the ratio of all Category C and D members must remain at one third of the AEC membership.

The AEC assesses a written application and weighs up the factors to decide if the animal use is justified. In doing this, the Committee makes an ethical decision.

The Department of Local Government and Regional Development is responsible for safeguarding the welfare of animals used for scientific purposes.

If you use or supply animals for scientific purposes, you must:
1. Apply for a scientific user or supplier licence from the Department of Local Government and Regional Development;

2. Ensure all animal use is approved by the AEC;

3. Provide an annual report to the Director General of the Department.

Cost of an annual licence: $100

The Director General will keep a register of all scientific establishments. The public may inspect this Database free of charge and extracts may be requested.

Monitoring compliance with the Act
A licensing and monitoring program to audit compliance with the Act has been established. The Act allows for Scientific Inspectors to inspect scientific establishments and ensure a licensee complies with the scientific use code. Failing to comply can incur a maximum penalty of $50,000 and imprisonment for five years.

Reporting is a type of monitoring.

All scientific establishments which apply for licences to use and supply animals for scientific purposes must report their animal usage and supply figures for the previous calendar year to their AECs and the Department. Examination of the data is used as part of government monitoring to ensure compliance with the Code and Act.

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