Reporting and recordkeeping for investigators and teachers
Investigators and teachers must report to their animal ethics committee (AEC) and keep records on each approved project that uses animals for scientific purposes.
Reporting requirements
We recommend that AECs develop a form to guide investigators and teachers to prepare annual progress and completion reports.
Investigators must provide written annual progress reports to their AEC, which may include:
- the progress achieved so far
- any problems that may have interfered with project progress
- the number of animals used
- if the wellbeing of the animals is consistent with what was outlined in the proposal
- whether any changes to the project are expected
- whether the project is meeting its aims.
The AEC must review the annual progress reports and—in consultation with the investigator—decide to continue, suspend, modify or discontinue the project.
The following reports are required.
Type of report | Recipient of the report | Frequency of reporting |
|---|---|---|
Annual report | AEC | Once each year |
Completion report | AEC | At the end of the project |
Biosecurity Queensland - Animal Welfare and Ethics | Once a year | |
AEC | Whenever an unexpected adverse event occurs |
Completion reports to AECs
When a project is completed or discontinued, the investigator or teacher must submit a completion report to the AEC. The completion report should advise the AEC on:
- whether the project's aims were achieved
- whether the number of animals used varied from the approved number and, if so, why any major discrepancies occurred
- whether the wellbeing of the animals was consistent with what was outlined in the proposal
- how procedures could be modified in future projects to reduce any adverse impacts on animal wellbeing
- publications and presentations that have resulted from the project.
Recordkeeping
Investigators and teachers must keep records for a minimum of 7 years after all related use of animals is complete.
Correspondence and reports
Investigators and teachers who use animals for scientific purposes must keep complete records of all correspondence with:
- their institution (e.g. university, department or company)
- their AEC
- the animal facility manager
- collaborators.
This includes:
- all proposals submitted to the AEC and responses from the AEC (e.g. approval notice or certificate)
- requests for modifications to approved proposals and responses from the AEC
- all reports to the AEC and AEC responses to the reports, including:
- annual reports
- completion reports
- unexpected adverse event reports
- other reports that may be requested by the AEC.
Records required from investigators
The Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (scientific use code) requires investigators to keep the following records.
Recording requirement | Relevant clauses |
|---|---|
Investigators must maintain records of the number of animals used to create and maintain the new animal line and the lineage and health status of the animals | Clause 2.4.27 (v) |
Records must include:
| Clause 2.4.32 |
When activities involve genetically modified animals, records must include:
| Clause 2.4.33 |
Records of the monitoring and assessment of animal wellbeing must be:
| Clause 3.1.22 |