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.

Visit the risk profiles and review processes page to determine which application process and risk level applies to your research.

Lower risk

• Negligible and Low risk 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 Panel consisting of HREC members and reviewed on an ad hoc basis out of session.

Registrations, Transfers, Exemptions and 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 of the HREC.

Student/School Advisory Panel (SAP)

• Negligible and Low risk applications from the School of Behavioural and Health Sciences have submission deadlines and meeting dates (see below for upcoming submission dates).
• 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.
• The next deadline for the May meeting is the 27th of April.

Higher Risk

• Higher Risk applications are reviewed by the Human Research Ethics committee (HREC).
• Review times range from 6-8 weeks from submission date.
• Higher risk applications have the below submission deadlines and meeting dates.

2026