Annual Report 2015–2016

including guidance on research governance and monitoring of human research. The tools and guidance
material apply to all human research and can be adopted and implemented by institutions in the publicly
funded health sector, universities and private hospitals and research institutions.
The NHMRC’s National Certification Scheme supports a single ethical review for multi-centre research.
The certification is recognised in all states and territories. Institutions with certified ethical review processes
may accept research proposals from any jurisdiction and any institution. NHMRC continues to monitor the
number of HRECs that participate in the National Certification Scheme. At this time, there are 45 certified
institutions, representing 49 committees.
PART 2 Performance Report
Target 3: Aim for 100 per cent of institutions to maintain certification
requirements
Corporate Plan
Portfolio
Budget
Statement
Aim for 100 per cent of institutions to maintain certification requirements,
determined by monitoring the number of Human Research Ethics
Committees participating in the NHMRC National Certification Scheme.
100 per cent of institutions maintaining certification requirements.
Achieved
In 2015–16, a review of the National Certification Scheme, a cornerstone of the National Approach to Single
Ethical Review (the National Approach), was undertaken. Preliminary findings from the consultation indicate
that there is strong support for continuation of the scheme. NHMRC will consider the findings of the
consultation and implement any improvements to the National Certification Scheme in 2016–17.
All currently certified institutions are being assessed against the initial certification criteria, prior to
extension of their certification period. This will help to ensure that these institutions continue to meet the
expected standards.
For the 2014 reporting period, 100 per cent of institutions whose ethics review processes were certified as
part of the National Certification Scheme declared that they met certification requirements.
Outcome 1: Retain high ethical standards in health and medical research
In 2015–16, a review of the National Certification Scheme was undertaken. NHMRC will consider the
findings of the consultation and implement any improvements to the National Certification Scheme
in 2016–17.
Though the National Approach can be utilised for all human research, public hospitals comprise the majority
of entities that are certified. In order to become truly national, NHMRC will work with universities to
determine barriers to the uptake of the National Approach. In addition, NHMRC will continue to work with all
stakeholders to improve the acceptance of single ethics review conducted in private and Catholic hospitals
and institutions.
Currently, 100 per cent of institutions certified by NHMRC are maintaining certification requirements.
Monitoring of this status will be completed by December 2016.
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Annual Report of the National Health and Medical Research Council 2015–2016