The University of Newcastle Animal Care and Ethics Committee oversees the care and use of animals in research and teaching at the University of Newcastle and other accredited research establishments

Animal Ethics

About us

The University of Newcastle Animal Care and Ethics Committee (ACEC) has been established to oversee the care and use of animals in research and teaching at the University of Newcastle and other accredited research establishments.

The use of vertebrate animals for research or teaching purposes must meet the requirements of the NSW Animal Research Act 1985, NSW Animal Research Regulation 2010 and the Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (enacted under the Act).

The legislation embodies the principles of reduction in the number of animals used, replacement of animals with non-animal alternatives and refinement of techniques and procedures to reduce the impact on animals.

Before any vertebrate animal can be used for research or teaching purposes, the researcher must obtain approval from the ACEC.

Researchers who use animals for research or teaching purposes, have a personal responsibility for all matters relating to the welfare of the animals they use. This responsibility embraces a duty of care which demands a genuine commitment to the welfare of the animals, a respect for the contribution the animals make to research and teaching and a desire to promote the animal's well-being.