About our Human Research Ethics Committee
West Moreton Health’s Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) reviews research projects conducted within our health service to ensure they are ethical, safe, and respectful.
HRECs in Australia are regulated by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) according to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (National Statement). Our HREC registration number is EC00184.
Please note our HREC reviews single-site research studies only.
Our goals
The committee aims to:
- ensure research is designed with respect for participants and conducted safely
- advise West Moreton Health on ethical matters related to human research
- review and approve research in line with national and state requirements.
How our HREC works
Our HREC operates under NHMRC requirements, including the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025).
The committee reviews and approves research conducted within West Moreton Health facilities only.
It considers both the ethical and scientific validity of research across our hospitals and health centres.
For more information, read our committee’s Terms of Reference [PDF 687.44 KB] and Standard Operating Procedure Queensland Health HREC Administrators.
2026 HREC dates
| Submissions (by noon) | Meetings (8:30-10:30 am via videoconference) |
|---|---|
| 13 July | 28 July |
| 24 August | 8 September |
| 6 October | 20 October |
| 9 November | 24 November |
Join our ethics committee
The HREC is made up of a Chair and voluntary members from five categories, as required under 5.1.30 of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2025). The five categories are:
- people who bring a community or consumer perspective and have no paid affiliation with West Moreton Health (WMH)
- people with knowledge of, and current experience in, professional care or treatment of people
- people who perform a pastoral care role in the community
- qualified lawyers
- people with current research experience relevant to the applications reviewed by the WMH HREC.
The HREC meets about eight times a year for about two hours to review three to four applications.
Members are expected to read assigned research applications before each meeting. Members may also be asked to review lower risk research applications outside of the full committee meetings.
People interested in joining the committee can attend a meeting as a guest before deciding on membership. An orientation session is available after accepting an offer of membership.
Members can discuss the research projects with the committee chair, research ethics and governance officers or with other members of the committee.
Research ethics education is available to committee members.
Will I be paid for my time?
No. All HREC members contribute on a voluntary basis.
How to join
Email your resume and expression of interest to WM_EthicsandGov@health.qld.gov.au.
Contact us
- Email: WM_EthicsandGov@health.qld.gov.au
- Phone: 07 3413 7475