Other research compliance resources

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) is the Australian Government's central piece of environmental legislation. It provides a legal framework to protect and manage nationally and internationally important flora, fauna, ecological communities and heritage places — defined in the Act as matters of national environmental significance.

To access biological resources in most Commonwealth areas you need to apply for a permit. There are also Regulations to facilitate access to, and regulate the use of, native genetic and biochemical resources.

The Bioethics portal is designed as a gateway to information on Australian State and Territory Government bioethics related activities and initiatives. The site also provides some general information about hot topics in bioethics and directs users to further sites of information.

BioRegs Online offers you comprehensive information about the regulation and development of biotechnology and related products in Australia.

Find out which Commonwealth Government agencies regulate your product, what compliance steps are involved and where to go for more information. Also find out about technology licensing, business planning, good manufacturing practice, exporting, government assistance and many other useful business topics of relevance to biotechnology.

The export of defence and dual-use goods is restricted. Not only is the intangible transfer of WMD-related technology through research, training and conferences a concern, but many universities and tertiary institutions are conducting cutting-edge research, which potentially could be exploited for use in WMD programs.

Researchers should ensure that they have obtained appropriate permits or licences as may be required for any materials that are to be exported.

The National Security Science and Technology (NSST) Branch within the Office of National Security provides a national focus for research and development aimed at enhancing Australia's national security capabilities, facilitating international collaboration and supplying scientific and technological input into national security policy issues and initiatives.

The NSST Branch site includes information about regulatory requirements related to research activities.

The Science portal provides links to Australian Government science policy and initiatives, by discipline, purpose and agency.

Providing numerous links to government policy, priorities, research reports, reviews and some ethics and compliance information.

The Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) is an Australian government authority responsible for the assessment and registration of pesticides and veterinary medicines and for their regulation up to and including the point of retail sale.

Before an agricultural or veterinary chemical product can be legally imported, supplied, sold or used in Australia, it must be registered by the APVMA. Agricultural chemicals include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and some pest traps and barriers for pest control. Veterinary chemicals include vaccines, antibiotics, anthelmintics, and ectoparasiticides, and some vitamins and minerals.

The APVMA has a Permits Scheme that allows for the legal use of chemicals in ways that are different to the uses set out on the product label or, in certain circumstances, the limited use of an unregistered chemical. Some research activities may require a permit — to allow for chemical products to be used in research trials for scientific purposes, such as determining the suitability of a product for a new use or generating the data necessary to register the product.

The objectives of the State's biosecurity programs is to identify, assess and respond to all pests, diseases and weeds posing a significant threat to primary industries, native biodiversity and human health.

PIRSA's Biosecurity site has links relevant to policy advice and regulatory activities for:

• Livestock Industries and Animal Health
• Horticulture Industries, Crops, Pastures and Plant Health
• Forestry Industries
• Fishing Industry
• Aquaculture Industry
• Other Pests, Diseases and Programs