The University, the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC), Animal Care Services (ACS), Animal Welfare Veterinary Advisors (AWVA), the Animal Ethics Office (AEO), researchers and teachers have a responsibility for compliance with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition 2013 (The Code) and the Animal Welfare Act 2002 (WA).
Researchers and Teachers
Researchers and teachers have personal responsibility for all matters related to the welfare of the animals they use. This responsibility begins when the animal is allocated to a project and ends with its fate at the completion of the project. When the monitoring of animals is delegated by the researcher or teacher to someone else with appropriate technical expertise, for example by prior arrangement with an ACS technician, this does not in anyway obviate the researcher’s or teacher’s primary responsibility for the welfare of their animals.
Animal Ethics Committee
The Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) is a committee of the University which is constituted under the Code to ensure that the use of animals for research and teaching purposes conforms to the standards of the Code. The role of the AEC is to ensure that the use of animals is justified, provides for the welfare of those animals and incorporates the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement. The AEC is the only body that can approve the use of animals in research and teaching at UWA.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research)
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) is the scientific licence holder for animal use at UWA and is responsible for ensuring that all use of animals for scientific purposes within the University remains in accord with the Code and the Act. This includes ensuring that all licence conditions are met and responding promptly and effectively to recommendations of the AEC or the State Regulator.
Animal Ethics Office
The role of the Animal Ethics Office (AEO) is to provide administrative support to the operations of the AEC by ensuring timely and effective transmission of animal ethics applications to the AEC for consideration, for following up concerns of the AEC that may require amendments to protocols and for communicating to researchers, teachers and ACS staff the outcomes of the AEC deliberations. The AEO coordinates annual reporting of animal use to the Government of Western Australia.
Animal Welfare Officer
The Animal Welfare Officer (AWO) is responsible for ensuring that animal use at UWA provides for the welfare of animals, and for providing advice to the AEC on matters to do with animal welfare. The AWO has a role in ensuring that researchers and teachers are aware of their responsibilities under the Code, including the provision of education programs, continuing training and workshops.
Animal Welfare and Veterinary Advisors
Animal Welfare and Veterinary Advisors (AWVAs) provide veterinary expertise and advice to researchers and teachers on matters relating to the care, use and welfare of animals, including specific advice prior to the preparation of animal ethics applications. The AWVAs may also monitor projects in progress.
Animal Care Services
Animal Care Services (ACS) provides a range of animal housing environments and research facilities to provide support for research and teaching projects. ACS technicians are responsible for the daily care, husbandry and agistment of animals in these facilities.
Animal Care Services Veterinary Officers
ACS Veterinary Officers (ACS) provide veterinary care and support for all animals held within ACS facilities, including diagnosing medical conditions and prescribing treatments. The ACS are also available to advise on surgical/non-surgical techniques relevant to their own expertise and to provide support in the collection and analysis of materials.
University information
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