Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

person wearing scrubs in a lab, looking and smiling at camera

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are essential internal documents that provide clear, step-by-step instructions for animal investigators conducting routine procedures. Their purpose is to ensure consistency, compliance, and high standards in animal research and teaching at SCU.

SOPs are outlined in Section 2.2.33 of the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, and a full register of SCU-approved SOPs is available on SharePoint.

Referencing SOPs in your Animal Ethics application can streamline the approval process. However, to reference an SOP, the following conditions must be met:

  • The SOP must have current AEC approval.
  • All listed investigators must be competent in the procedure they will perform.
  • Any variation from the SOP must be described in the application and may prompt a review of the SOP.

To submit a new SOP for AEC approval, follow these steps:

1. Download the SCU SOP Template

2. Draft the SOP

Ensure all instructions are clear, accurate, and detailed.

3. Expert Review

Have the SOP reviewed by a subject matter expert (external reviewers are allowed).

4. Submit for internal review & AEC Approval

  • First submit internally for feedback
  • Then, submit to the AEC for assessment at the next meeting.

Submission Guidelines

  • New submissions accompanying a new animal ethics application: Upload via the IRMA Documents tab.
  • New submissions without an animal ethics application: Submit via email.
  • Amendments to currently approved SOPs: Submit via IRMA.

5. Approval & Publication

Once approved, the SOP will be assigned an identifier and uploaded to the AEC webpage.

Note: SOPs must not be used until officially approved by the AEC.

All SOPs must be reviewed every three years. The original author is responsible for:

  • Reviewing and updating the SOP.
  • Having it re-validated by a subject matter expert.
  • Submitting it for AEC re-approval.

If an SOP is not reviewed within three years, it will lapse and be removed from the system.

A full register of SCU-approved SOPs is available on SharePoint.