Low risk submission process
Low risk research projects are reviewed by the low risk ethics committee that meets fortnightly. Applications will be assigned to the next available meeting and this means you can submit low risk applications for review at any time.
To determine if your project is classified as low risk please complete MCC DERP. This will enable you to classify your research in accordance with local, state and national requirements. All low risk applications must be submitted using a Human Research Ethics Application Form (HREA) via ERM and researchers must complete all required sections on MCC DERP. You will also need to fill out a pre submission form.
The application process for low risk applications is the same as for all greater-than-low risk research. Thus please see the relevant page below for the submission requirements:
FAQs
How can I confirm if my study is classified as low risk?
To determine if your project is classified as low risk please complete MCC DERP. This will enable you to instantly classify your research in accordance with local, state and national requirements. If you have any questions, please call REG on 03 9345 5044.
What are the review and approval timelines for low risk review?
If your project is complete, it will be included on the next
available LREC agenda. LREC meetings occur every fortnight, you may be required
to address queries before the project can be considered by the LREC
meeting.
Tips
- The time to approval is dependent upon whether additional
information or changes are requested
- Please ensure all the sections of the landing page of MCC
DERP are completed before you submit the application in ERM
- To reduce this time, please respond promptly to any queries
received
Does the full HREC review low risk studies?
Low risk applications are eligible for expedited review by the low risk committee or HREC Chair or other delegate. As such, low risk projects are not generally reviewed at meetings of the HREC unless this is recommended following review. Instead, a list of all approved LNR projects is submitted to the full HREC each month for ratification.
What form do I complete on ERM and what documents do I need to submit?
You need to complete the HREA for a low risk application.
Please do not complete the LNR Vic form. Our office does not accept these, and for this reason the RCH HREC is not listed on the form.
What form do I need to complete an SSA for single site low risk application?
The choice is yours. Provided all documents are included to the HREA and MCC DERP is complete an SSA submission in not required for single site submissions. If in the future the project is transferred to a multisite study you may choose to submit and SSA.