Resources

Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Code of Ethics – Compliance with this code is required for all research funded by or undertaken under the auspices of AIATSIS, the Australian Research Council (ARC), and the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), as well as other institutions or bodies that have adopted the AIATSIS Code.

Ethical Conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders – This is a NHMRC publication that provides a set of principles to ensure research is safe, respectful, responsible, high quality and of benefit to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Keeping research on track II – A companion document to Ethical conduct in research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities: Guidelines for researchers and stakeholders

CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance | ARDC – This resource discusses the CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance, developed by the Global Indigenous Data Alliance. The CARE Principles emphasise ethical and culturally respectful data practices that prioritise Indigenous peoples’ rights, interests, and self-determination.

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AHMRC) Health Ethics Guidelines – guidance for researchers who are planning to submit a research application for review by the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AM&MRC) Ethics Committee

Children's consent for research can be secured through verbal agreement documented by writing, audio, or video; simplified explanations using words or images on paper or digital formats; or by using a child-adapted version of parental information and consent forms with language suitable for their age. For more on the ethical considerations of obtaining consent from children, refer to: 

National Statement, Chapter 4.3: Children and young people

Murdoch Children’s Research Insitute - Understanding Consent in Research Involving Children: The ethical issues

 

State and Territory-Specific Research Approval Processes for recruitment in schools

Research in schools typically requires approval from each jurisdiction's education authority:

  • NSW Public Schools: Applies through the State Education Research Application Process (SERAP) process. The department provides application forms, guidelines, and resources for conducting ethical, high quality research. 
  • Queensland: Requires formal approval for any research onsite. The Queensland Education Research Inventory for QLD guidelines emphasis the protection of students, data privacy, and that the research must benefit participating schools. 
  • Victoria: Has specific guidance and a policy framework under “Research and Evaluation in Schools.” Researchers should refer to the relevant guidelines and resources on the Education Department’s site. 
  • South Australia: Offers application forms and procedural guidelines under "Conducting research and evaluation in schools and preschools." 
  • Western Australia: The Department of Education mandates reviewing external research proposals through their own policy and requires approval before any recruitment or data collection. 
  • For approval to conduct research Catholic schools, obtain approval from the corresponding Catholic Education Office Diocese. Catholic Education WA (CEWA): Has its own Guidelines and Principles for Research in WA Catholic Schools, which require submitting a specific application and checklist.
  • Independent and private schools require you to secure permission from the school principal. 

Refer to the following Australian Bureau of Statistics standards for advice on collecting diversity demographic data: 

Sex, Gender, Variations of Sex Characteristics and Sexual Orientation Variables

Cultural and language diversity

The ability to utilise data gathered or possessed by a third party in research is contingent upon: 

  • the category of data in question 
  • the original intent behind its collection 
  • the consent provided by individuals when the data was first collected 
  • the intended application of the data in your study. 

Data sharing can be intricate and is governed by the applicable federal and state laws. It's advisable to reach out to the Ethics Office for personalised guidance, once you have reviewed the following relevant guidelines, policies, and statutes: 

Chapter 2.3: Qualifying and Waiving Consent, from the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)

Southern Cross University’s Privacy and Personal Information page

NSW

Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002

QLD

Information Privacy Act 2009

Australian Research Data Commons (ARDC)

 

You may contact the ethics office to request access to examples of high-quality applications. These documents contain sensitive information and can only be provided under controlled access conditions.