The department has operated an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) since 1990. The role of the AEC is to ensure that all staff involved in the use of animals for scientific purposes act in an ethical and humane manner in accordance with the Code.

The Code defines areas of responsibility and sets out the principles that guide activities to ensure standards are met. A key component of any institutional process is the establishment of an AEC which determines whether the proposed use of animals is justified according to the principles of the Code. The AEC is also responsible for monitoring the ongoing scientific activities.

The Code requires that the membership of the DBCA AEC must include wildlife veterinarians, scientists, animal welfare advocates and members of the community to ensure appropriate and representative oversight of our activities. See terms of reference (available for download below) for more information about the committee’s roles and responsibilities.

The following Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are documents that provide best practice guidance for wildlife survey and monitoring activities. They are valuable tools that can be used to ensure surveys and monitoring programs are undertaken consistently, to a high standard, and importantly, address the welfare and wellbeing of animals. They help to ensure that data collected will be adequate, consistent and comparable. 

SOPs are living documents. They require continual updating and regular review by the Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) as new techniques arise and/or old procedures are improved. The AEC is required to maintain existing SOPs and endorse all new standards, updates or additions as per the provisions outlined in the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. 

Advantages of SOPs are that they: 

1. act as a tool for communicating the department’s expectations in terms of animal welfare when applying wildlife monitoring or survey techniques 
2. promote quality though consistent collection of the data, even if there are changes in the personnel undertaking the survey or monitoring 
3. protect the health and safety of personnel by enabling jobs to be carried out in the safest way possible, and ensure that all of the safety, health, environmental and operational information is available to perform procedures with minimal impact 
4. facilitate training and proficiency in procedures, for both new personnel and for those that need re-training (e.g. after extended absence from a position) 
5. serve as a historical record for use when modifications are made to that procedure and when the SOP is revised

The Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia was developed by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) and launched in August 2023.

To demonstrate its commitment to transparency and ethical decision-making associated with the use of animals for research and teaching, and to enable well-informed public discussion, DBCA has become a Signatory to this agreement. In becoming a Signatory to the Openness Agreement, DBCA pledges to meet all four of the Agreement’s commitments:

1. We will be open about our involvement in the use of animals in research or teaching.
2. We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals in research or teaching.
3. We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research or teaching
   involving animals.
4. We will report annually on our efforts to improve openness in our use of animals in research or teaching.

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