Payment of external members of animal ethics committees

Animal Research Review Panel Policy 2
Revised 4 May 2017

Policy

The Animal Research Review Panel considers it reasonable for external members of Animal Ethics Committees (AECs) to receive:

1. Reimbursement for expenses incurred in carrying out AEC activities.
2. Payment for attendance at meetings and inspections.

Explanatory notes

External members of AECs are those members who participate in the activities of the committee but who are not employed by the Accredited Animal Research Establishment that appointed the committee.

The Panel recognises that participation in AEC activities involves a considerable commitment from external members and may involve financial hardship, for example through travel expenses or lost wages.

The Panel also recognises the independence of Accredited Establishments to decide whether or not external members should receive payment.

The amount paid should not be of sufficient size to be seen as constituting employment by the establishment or swaying the decisions of the member.

The Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (Clause 2.2.19(iii)) states that establishments should, where appropriate, provide for "the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses and / or payment of an allowance to AEC members".

As a guide, the following lists sitting fees set by the NSW Public Service Commission for members of NSW Government boards and committees.