Animal use statistics

Accredited Animal Research Establishments (other than schools) must submit information to NSW Department of Primary Industries on the use of animals in research and teaching annually.

The requirements for reporting on animal use provide data on the numbers of animals used in all research projects in NSW, reported against the purpose of the research and the types of procedures in which they were involved.The aim of collecting these statistics is to give some indication of the level of ‘invasiveness’ of the procedures on the animals and to provide data on the use of animals in research and teaching.

Aspects of the system include the recording of:

an animal in all projects in which the animal is used,
animals for each year in which they are held in long-term projects,
the types of procedures used (giving an indication of the impact of procedures) combined with the recording of the purpose of the research.

The categories used are based on those used on a national basis.

In addition to information on numbers of animals used, information is collected on initiatives in the areas of replacement, reduction and refinement of animal use.

The information is collated and published annually.

For reporting years prior to 2016 see Animal Research Review Panel annual reports.

Reports

ARRP Webinar Series 2022 – Animal Research Statistics

9 August 2022

The ARRP in conjunction with NSW DPI, hosted a webinar to promote the correct analysis of data related to the use of animals in research and the principles of the 3Rs as a framework for ethical decision making. This was the second in a series of 3 webinars scheduled for 2022.

This on-line event attracted Animal Ethics Committee members, research animal carers, researchers, animal science students, veterinarians and community members.

The webinar featured presentations from the UK’s National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (the NC3Rs) and The University of Sydney about some of the evidence for the need for change and easy first steps we can adopt during committee and investigator conversations.

Correct analysis of data can help ensure your organisation is meeting it requirements under the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, which is based on the 3Rs of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement.

Watch the webinar recording.
The Statistics Webinar Q&A document.