About the project
The Strategic Ethics Reform Project aimed to strengthen how human research ethics is managed in Victoria.
This independent work will support national efforts to introduce quality standards and an accreditation scheme for Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) and the institutions that host them.
Why we did this project
Victoria participates in the National Mutual Acceptance (NMA) scheme and uses single ethical review through Minister-accredited HRECs.
This approach has improved efficiency for multi-site trials. However, challenges remain - organisational processes differ, governance models vary, and digital systems are not well connected.
As national quality standards and accreditation develop, we need a clear, evidence-informed approach to guide Victoria’s response.
What we did
We ran a focused, time-limited project to:
- analyse best practice ethics models in Australia and overseas
- co-design shared principles and practical solutions with:
- HREC leaders
- research governance offices
- researchers
- sponsors
- contract research organisations
- consumers.
- produce a strategic paper that outlines practical models and identifies risks and opportunities to improve HREC performance in Victoria.
We ran the following engagement activities as part of the project:
- Listening survey to understand the experiences of those working within Victoria's human research ethics system. This survey closed on 22 March 2026 and received 268 responses, with almost half offering to contribute to subsequent activities.
- Listening program to capture further perspectives from across the Victorian research ethics system through roundtables, focus groups, interviews and written submissions. Between April and May 2026, this structured program brought together diverse stakeholders based on their roles and localities, attracting more than 100 contributors.
- Resourcing survey to build an evidence base of what would be required for a well-resources system. This survey opened for a short period in June 2026, with 24 responses from those with knowledge of the resourcing reality for research ethics functions.
Who took part
Health and medical research sector stakeholders - all those working or interested in in human research ethics, including:
- HREC Chairs and members
- HREC ethics and governance advisors, coordinators and secretariat staff
- Research governance and research office staff
- Directors of research and research governance leaders
- Clinician researchers and research delivery teams
- Commercial sponsors and collaborative research partners (universities, Medical Research Institutes, funding bodies)
- Consumers and community representatives
- Organisational executives (e.g., Chief Executives, Chief Medical Officers, Chief Operating Officers, Clinical governance leaders)
Stakeholders were invited to contribute to this project through:
- short surveys
- roundtables for regional and rural networks
- online focus groups
- interviews
- written submissions.
We updated this web page with participation opportunities and announced them through our newsletter, SCV's Research Ripple and LinkedIn.
Scope
In scope
The project included ethics review pathways, committee models and structures, system level policies and enabling infrastructure. It also included statewide coordination and performance transparency.
Not in scope
Site-level research governance office (RGO) process design was not in scope. It remains important and governance improvements will be addressed separately, so the work does not become confused or diluted.
Timeline and governance
The project ended on 30 June 2026.
Safer Care Victoria’s Research, Strategy and Clinical Trials team led the work.
Outcomes
Victoria’s research sector described a committed but increasingly pressured ethics workforce, alongside clear interest from consumers to be genuine partners in how research is designed, governed and shared. Project contributors agreed the system is capable but needs strengthened support as national reforms approach.
Thank you to all contributors of this project. Explore summary insights via the links below and subscribe to SCV’s Research Ripple to receive project updates from our website.
Contact
If you have any questions about the project, please email research@safercare.vic.gov.au.