We ran a listening program as part of the Strategic Ethics Reform Project from March to June 2026. The listening program included feedback from surveys, focus groups, roundtables, interviews and written submissions. This report summarises what SCV heard.
This listening program aimed to understand Victoria’s readiness for emerging national Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) quality standards and accreditation. This national work aims to strengthen the quality and consistency of ethical review and provide greater assurance that review processes are working well.
Through the statewide listening program, we heard from people involved in research, research ethics and research governance across Victorian public health services and the research sector.
This report outlines the key themes raised by contributors. It also discusses the implications of these themes for the broader system that supports ethical review in Victoria. It does not announce government decisions, policy changes or accreditation requirements.