In accordance with Chapter 5 of the NHMRC National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) and sections 5.1.18 to 5.1.21 in particular, the Melbourne Health HREC  and the Mental Health REC have established a  Low Risk Research Sub-Committee for the review of research involving no more than low risk.

The Low Risk Research Sub-Committees are informal “sub-committees” of the HREC and MHREC respectively, which meets in the week prior to the monthly meeting of the full HREC and MHREC.

The membership of the Low Risk Research Sub-Committees is fluid but is required to comprise at least 2 “scientific spokespersons” and 2 “ethics spokespersons” from amongst the membership of the HREC. Scientific spokespersons are HREC members in categories (a), (c), or (f) and ethics spokespersons are HREC members from categories (b), (d), or (e). (see definition of HREC Categories of Membership)

The HREC or MHREC Chair, if present, chairs meetings of the respective Low Risk Research Sub-Committee. In the absence of the chair, this role is undertaken by the most senior (in terms of years of membership) HREC member in attendance.

The relevant HREC Manager or Assistant Manager also attend these meetings and act as the Executive Officer of the sub-committee.  Each month, different members of the HREC attend the meeting of the Low Risk Research Sub-Committee.

The minutes of the meetings of the Low Risk Research Sub-Committee are incorporated into the agenda and then the minutes of the next scheduled meeting of the HREC and the decisions of the Low Risk Research Sub-Committee must be endorsed and adopted by the HREC before any correspondence is forwarded to the researchers involved.

The application procedures and submission deadlines for the Low Risk Research Sub-Committees are the same as those for the HREC and MHREC.

New projects are “triaged” as being suitable for review by the Low Risk Research Sub-Committee by the HREC Managers and Assistant Manager after each monthly new project submission deadline.

HREC Categories of Membership

1. A chairperson, with suitable experience, whose other responsibilities will not impair the HREC’s capacity to carry out its obligations under the NHMRC National Statement of Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007);
2. At least two lay people, one man and one woman, who have no affiliation with the institution and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work;
3. At least one person with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counselling or treatment of people; for example a nurse or allied health professional;
4. At least one person who performs a pastoral care role in a community, for example, an Aboriginal elder, a minister of religion;
5. At least one lawyer, where possible one who is not engaged to advise the institution; and
6. At least two people with current research experience that is relevant to research proposals to be considered at the meetings they attend.

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