It is recommended you submit your application at least eight-ten weeks before you intend starting your data collection. This allows for the review process to be completed as may take a few iterations before approved. Remember, recruitment and data collection cannot commence until the application has been approved, so please plan ahead, as a hastily prepared application will generate more questions and take longer to be approved.

Please see the risk process below and visit the risk profiles and review processes page to determine which application process and risk level applies to your research.

Lower Risk

Lower risk research refers to studies that pose minimal or no foreseeable harm to participants e.g.: anonymous surveys, or non-sensitive interviews. 

• These applications have no submission deadlines and no meeting dates.
• Review turnaround time can be up to 6 weeks from submission.
• Applications are reviewed by an Ethics Review Panel (ERP) consisting of Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) members and reviewed on an ad hoc basis out of session.

Registrations, Transfers, Exemptions/Non-identifiable Data and Non-health/Personal Information Waivers

• These applications have no submission deadlines and no meeting dates.
• Review time can be up to 4 weeks from submission.
• Applications are reviewed by the Chair.
• Waiver applications involving personal information in medical research, or personal health information will be reviewed by the HREC and subject to the below submission deadlines.

Student/School Advisory Panel (SAP)

• Lower risk applications from the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences have submission deadlines and meeting dates - The next deadline for the November meeting is the 2 November 2026.
• Review turnaround time can be up to 8 weeks from submission.
• Applications are reviewed by a School Panel consisting of staff members and a Chair and Co-Chair, and reviewed twice per year - Psychology in May, and Allied Health in November.

Greater than Low Risk

Greater than low risk research refers to studies that may have a greater potential for harm or discomfort to participants e.g.: clinical trials, sensitive psychological studies, or research that may make participants vulnerable due to the circumstances or the research context.

• Review times range from 6-8 weeks from submission date.
• These applications will be referred to the full HREC for review and have the below submission deadlines and meeting dates.

IREAP Process

Any research undertaken by ACU staff or students that involves, affects, or is of particular significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples must be reviewed by the Indigenous Research Ethics Advisory Panel (IREAP) before HREC consideration. This includes research concerning the planning, collection, analysis, or dissemination of information about Indigenous peoples.

The IREAP comprises experienced Indigenous researchers from a range of disciplines.

Researchers must:

• Read the IREAP Guidelines before submitting their ethics application.
• Complete and attach the required Appendix B responses to their HREC application.
• Submit their IREAP application at least four weeks before the relevant HREC meeting to allow time for IREAP review.

For further information and to access the IREAP forms, please visit: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

Submission Deadlines

2026

2027