Animal Research Regulation

The changes to the Regulation were made after the circulation of a Regulatory Impact Statement and consideration of submissions received.

The changes from the 1995 Regulation can be summarised as follows:

1. Updating of references to clauses of the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes to those of the most recent (7th) edition.
2. Updating of references related to NSW Agriculture to NSW Department of Primary Industries, necessary due to the incorporation of NSW Agriculture into the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
3. Membership of Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) for schools to be the same as for all other establishments (in accordance with the Code of Practice). (Part 3 Clause 6).
4. Information on renewal forms for accreditation and animal supply licence to be the same as that collected for initial applications. (Part 4 Clauses 8 and 18).
5. Fees for applications to AECs to be increased from a maximum of $100 to a maximum of $500. (Part 4 Clauses 12, 15 and 29).
6. Change the reporting dates for statistics on animal use to a calendar year rather than financial year basis (as is currently occurring in practice). (Part 5 Clause 27).
7. Removal of the list of information to be reported on for animal use statistics. (The “approved Form”, Form L, will continue to be used and this lists the information required – see the Forms page). (Part 5 Clause 27).
8. Removal of an anomalous Clause which gave a casting vote to the AEC Chair - meaning the Chair has the same input into decisions as other AEC members, in accordance with the Code of Practice.
9. Addition of a requirement to provide notification of changes to AEC membership (as currently occurs in practice as a result of a standard condition placed on accreditation and licence). (Part 4 Clauses 10 and 20).
10. Extension of exemption from animal supply provisions for schools (for non-invasive, innocuous activities). (Schedule 3 Clause 8).