The University of Sydney is committed to carrying out innovative, ethical research and teaching that improves the lives of humans and animals, and the state of our environment. High standards of care and welfare are fundamental in all our activities involving animals.
Research and teaching involving animals forms a small yet vital part of our work. This work spans a diverse range of fields, including research to better understand the human body and develop treatments for disorders and diseases, studies to improve animal welfare in veterinary and agricultural settings, fieldwork to support conservation of our wildlife and natural environment, and development of methods to improve animal management and production.
The work carried out at the University ultimately helps us to improve and enrich the lives of both humans and animals, and to better protect our environment and communities.
Animals are used in research and training activities only when there are no satisfactory or reasonable non-animal alternatives available, or when their use is mandated (e.g. pre-clinical trials of new human medicines). When animals are used, this is conducted in accordance with the Animal Research Act 1985 and the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. In accordance with the legislation, all animal research and teaching projects must be approved by an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) before they commence. This requirement applies to all vertebrate species (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians) and cephalopods (octopus, squid, cuttlefish).
The University of Sydney has two AECs. As required by the legislation, our AECs are made up of veterinarians, scientists and teachers from the University’s academic community, members of animal welfare organisations, and community representatives. The AECs review all proposals under rigorous ethical guidelines, and they must be satisfied that the proposed research or teaching shows due respect and care for the animals involved. The AECs must also ensure that the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3Rs) are applied, that the proposal has strong merit and is scientifically sound, and that animal use is justified by the benefits of the research or teaching.
Animal Ethics Committee Terms of Reference (pdf, 102KB).
Respect for animals and their welfare, and recognition that animals are sentient beings, underpins all our activities involving animals. To support this, University staff and students working with animals have round-the-clock access to veterinary support through our dedicated Animal Welfare Veterinarians. Staff and students must also complete mandatory training before commencing their research or teaching with animals.
The wellbeing of animals in our research and teaching facilities is ensured by a highly skilled and committed team of animal care staff, who work closely with the AEC and Animal Welfare Veterinarians to carefully monitor animal care and use.
We also have a rehoming program in place and wherever we can, we rehome animals at the conclusion of their involvement in research or teaching.
The principles of the 3Rs - Replacement, Reduction, Refinement, are fundamental in animal research and teaching, and applied at all stages of animal care and use.
Below are some of the ways the University of Sydney supports our research and teaching community to champion the 3Rs.
At the University of Sydney, we are committed to transparency and openness about our animal research and teaching activities. We believe that this is key to fostering greater trust and understanding with our community about the use of animals in research and teaching. We recognise the important role of animals in our research and teaching activities, and the benefits these activities bring to wider society.
The University is a signatory of the Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia, a voluntary pledge developed by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) for greater transparency around animal research and teaching.
The University is also a member of Understanding Animal Research Oceania, an organisation that is assisting us to develop our skills in being more open about our use of animals in research and teaching.
For inquiries about the use of animals in research and teaching at the University,
please contact:
Level 3, Michael Spence Building (F23)
University of Sydney NSW 2006