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NSW Government
Animal Ethics Infolink
A NSW DPIRD and Animal Research Review Panel initiative

Training Research and Teaching Personnel

Guideline 17

Updated December 2025

Introduction

This document has been written to give guidance to institutions regarding the need to provide training for personnel involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes including, researchers, teachers and technical support staff.
For personnel and institutions in NSW, there are at least four specific guides informing that need. First, The Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (8th Edition) (here on referred to as the Code) [1] outlines the responsibilities of individuals and institutions in regard to requirements for education, training and competencies. In addition, the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) statement on best practice methodology in the use of animals for scientific purposes (2017) [2] identifies training in procedural skills as well as study design and analysis as current flaws and specific strategies that can be utilised to enhance the reproducibility of preclinical research. And third, the PREPARE guidelines [3] identifies assessment of competency within their checklist of items prior to commencing a project. Specific references within these documents are identified in the boxes below. Finally, institutions in NSW seeking new or renewal of accreditation as an animal research establishment from ARRP in accordance with the Animal Research Act (1985) (here on referred to as the Act) [4] are required to document and report on any in-house or external training for staff.

Course content

Courses should be designed to meet the needs of researchers, teachers and animal care staff in the institution and the scope, detail and content of courses offered should reflect the particular needs and responsibilities of each. Training should be provided for students, teachers, research assistants or animal care staff who have not previously received such training and for current researchers who have not worked in a particular area before. With constant advances in techniques and development of new methods, refresher courses also will assist experienced staff. ARRP recommends refresher training to take place every 3-5 years at the discretion of the institution.

Courses can be designed in a modular format with some compulsory core modules complemented by optional modules designed to give training in more specialised areas, or with certain species of animals. ARRP recommends institutions adopt mandatory training in all procedures specific personnel are to engage, be completed by a researcher before gaining ethics approval, and preferably before designing research or teaching activities.

The Australian & New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) have developed ComPass a free online course covering the Australian Code, NZ Guide and welfare issues relating to animal use in research and teaching. ComPass contains bespoke Phases for AEC members and users of animals across laboratory and wildlife settings. The ARRP recommends completion of relevant ComPass phases for all AEC members, institutional personnel and investigators for inductions and ongoing training. Attendance at the annual ARRP online accessible webinars is also recommended. All institutions are encouraged to seek additional opportunities or develop their own ongoing training specific to the practices undertaken at that institution. A list of potential educational and training opportunities can be accessed on animal ethics infolink useful links.

A list of recommended topics that should be covered in core modules developed by institutions for all investigators is included below. Please note that where necessary (such as in institutions where AECs oversee preclinical and wildlife research), modules should attempt to use exemplars and case studies from both laboratory and wildlife experiences.

  • The moral and ethical issues associated with the use of animals and the emerging evidence of sentience in species relevant to the institution.
  • Legislative and institutional requirements governing the use of animals including but not limited to:
    • The Code
    • The Act and all subsequent amendments
    • The Process for applying and adhering to AEC approval
  • Principles of experimental design and appropriate methods for the determination and justification of animal numbers
  • Principles with exemplars of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement) as well as Rehoming where relevant
  • The emerging field of non-animal models (NAMs) and other alternatives to the use of animals in research and teaching
  • Principles of animal care, including housing and handling; monitoring animal wellbeing including recognition and alleviation of pain and suffering and methods to enhance welfare
  • Managing, Record keeping and Reporting of adverse events
  • Occupational Health and Safety including but not limited to:
    • Biosafety
    • Mental Health and Wellbeing of staff (Compassion Fatigue)
  • Safe and appropriate use of restricted drugs
  • Common procedures such as administration of substances, surgical techniques blood collection, euthanasia and autopsy in species relevant to the institution.
  • Principles of anaesthesia and pain management including the use of tranquillisers, anaesthetics and analgesics and appropriate tools for monitoring animal consciousness (e.g foot reflex, signs of distress etc.)

The Australian Code:

Section 2.1 Responsibilities of Institutions:
  • 2.1.2 (v) Ensure that all people involved in the care and use of animals understand their responsibilities and the requirements of the Code, have the necessary skills and knowledge, and have access to appropriate educational programs and resources.
  • 2.1.5.(v).(a). [Institutions must promote compliance with the code by ensuring that guidelines for animal care and use … include how the competence of people involved in the care and use of animals will be assessed and ensured
  • 2.1.8 Institutions must ensure that all people involved in the care and use of animals understand their responsibilities and the requirements of the Code, are competent for the procedures they perform or are under the direct supervision of a person who is competent to perform the procedures, and have access to appropriate education programs and resources, by:
With respect to investigators:

(i) ensuring that investigators are well informed of their responsibilities under the Code and their legal responsibilities (ii) providing adequate resources for appropriate education, training, and assessment of competence With respect to animal care and management, animal carers and veterinary services (iii) ensuring that practices and procedures for the care and management of animals are based on current best practice

Section 2.3 Responsibilities of animal ethics committees:
  • 2.3.28 The AEC must submit a written report on its operations at least annually to the governing body of the institution(s) for which it acts.
  • 2.3.29 (iii) The report should advise on actions that have supported the educational and training needs of AEC members and people involved in the care and use of animals.
Section 2.4 Responsibilities of Investigators:
  • 2.4.4 (v) Investigators must undertake education and training, and competency assessment, in accordance with institutional and AEC policies and procedures.
Section 2.5 Responsibilities of Animal Carers:
  • 2.5.15 (iv) The facility manager, with support as required from the institution and other staff members, and advice from veterinarians, must ensure that procedures and resources are in place so that all people involved in the care of animals can meet their responsibilities, including education, training and supervision of staff, as appropriate.

Note: AEC approval is not required for the training and application of agricultural extension work practices, or the training of students in veterinary science, veterinary nursing or animal technology to achieve competency-based outcomes in routine procedures if rules outlined in section 4.17 (i)-(iv) apply.

The 2017 best practice statement:

Section 3 relevant flaws identified:
  • 3.2 Quality of Experimental Statistics flaw: Lack of appropriate training in statistics to design meaningful experiments
  • 3.3 Quality of techniques and procedures flaw Inadequate training and competence of those using animals.

Section 5 Practical Strategies:

  • 5.1 Institutions
    • 5.1.3 Ensure appropriate and ongoing education and training for investigators in the use of the 3Rs, experimental design, choice of animal model, use of experimental statistics, technical expertise, and reporting of outcomes — in accordance with current best practice.
    • 5.1.7 Ensure appropriate education and training for AEC members at the time of their appointment and on an ongoing basis. Such education and training may include support for attendance at relevant workshops, conferences and seminars, including those organised by relevant state and territory government departments.
  • 5.2 Investigators:
    • 5.2.6 Attend relevant training programs.
  • Animal Ethics Committees:
    • 5.3.2 Raise with the institution any recommendations or concerns regarding training and competence of investigators and compliance with institution and AEC guidelines on best practice methodology.

PREPARE Guidelines:

Topic 7 Education and training – Assess the current competence of staff members and the need for further education or training prior to the study

References:

  1. National Health and Medical Research Council (2013) Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition (updated 2021). Canberra: National Health and Medical Research Council.
  2. National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) 2017, Best practice methodology in the use of animals for scientific purposes. (www.nhmrc.gov.au/guidelines-publications/ea20)
  3. Smith, AJ., Clutton, RE., Lilley, E., Hansen, KEA., Brattelid, T. (2018). PREPARE: guidelines for planning animal research and testing. Laboratory Animals 52(2) 135-141.
  4. NSW Government Animal Research Act 1985 (https://legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/whole/html/inforce/current/act-1985-123)