Policies and guidelines are developed by the Animal Research Review Panel (ARRP) and the Animal Welfare Unit to fill identified needs to assist researchers and teachers, members of Animal Ethics Committees and the management of scientific institutions to understand and comply with the requirements of the Animal Research Act, the Regulations and the Code of Practice.

Policies define how particular aspects of  legislation are interpreted.   They set out the criteria and method of operation which must be met to meet legislative objectives.  Guidelines are more flexible documents as they establish principles to be adopted in undertaking specific activities and allow scope for interpretation and adaptation in the implementation of a course of action.

In the development of these documents input is sought from specialist interest groups; draft policies are widely circulated for public comment before final ratification.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)

The Animal Welfare Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) also has published policies and guidelines on the care of primates and dogs, the development of monoclonal antibodies and the use of animals in surgical training.  These documents can be found at the link to NH&MRC Guidelines shown below.

	Animal Care
	Animal Supply
	Collaborative Research
	Information for Accredited Establishments
	Institutional Support for Animal Ethics Committees
	Operation of Animal Ethics Committees
	Research procedures
	Use of Animals in Teaching
	Wildlife Research
	Training personnel
	NHMRC Policies and Guidelines