What is the Openness Agreement?
The Australian Openness Agreement on Animal Research and Teaching in Australia is a national initiative that encourages institutions to be transparent about their use of animals in scientific research and education (‘Australian Openness Agreement’). Similar Openness Agreements have been developed in New Zealand, the United Kingdom and many European countries.
Developed in 2023 by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART), the Australian Openness Agreement was developed to encourage Institutions to be transparent about their use of animals in research and teaching and presents an opportunity for the broader community to be informed about how and why animals are used for science.
When an organisation becomes a Signatory of this agreement, it is making a tangible commitment to greater transparency and is joining a diverse community with a shared interest in public engagement. Participating in the Australian Openness Agreement is voluntary and independent of regulatory obligations.
To demonstrate our dedication to ethical standards, accountability, and fostering honest dialogue with the community, Murdoch University became a proud signatory of the Australian Openness Agreement in 2024.
As a Signatory, Murdoch University agrees to respond openly to enquiries about the use of live animals in science and pledges to meet four 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 commit to a set of guiding principles, including proactive public engagement, responsible communication, and continuous improvement in openness practices.
Murdoch has always been proud of its animal work in research and teaching and already actively engaged with the community in terms of its research and teaching outcomes. The Openness Agreement provides further opportunity to engage with the public regarding the fantastic animal research and teaching happening at Murdoch University.
Read the Australian Openness Agreement, or for more information, please visit the ANZCCART website.
How are animals used at Murdoch University?
Studies involving animals comprise an important and remarkably diverse part of Murdoch’s scientific research and teaching efforts. Working with live animals for research and teaching mainly occurs in activities relevant to the College of Environmental and Life Sciences.
The College overseas four Schools (Schools of Agriculture; Environmental and Conservation Sciences; Medical, Molecular and Forensic Sciences; and Veterinary Science) which use animals to train students during their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. The teaching portfolio is diverse but is often aimed at upskilling students to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the species they are working with. The use of live animals by the individual Schools reflects the requirements of student curricula and is, in some cases, required for achievement of specific learning outcomes and international recognition of a qualification.
Much of Murdoch’s animal research portfolio is similarly directly aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the species at the centre of that research.
Who decides whether animals can be used for research and teaching at Murdoch University?
All applications to use animals in research or teaching activities at Murdoch University (MU) are reviewed and evaluated by the Animal Ethics Committee (MU AEC).
Animal Ethics Committees are a legal requirement for institutions using animals for research and teaching according to the Australian Code for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes (2013), which has been adopted by the Animal Welfare Legislation of all Australian States and Territories. Animal Ethics Committees are therefore one part of a broader regulatory framework designed to protect animals used in research or teaching and to support ethical decision-making.
The primary role of AECs is to determine whether a research or teaching activity is scientifically justified and novel, whether it has adequately addressed the 3Rs (Replacement of the use of animals wherever possible, Reduction of the number of animals used, and Refinement of techniques and husbandry to minimise any impacts, show the animal respect and enhance research and teaching outcomes), and whether any negative impacts on animals involved in research and teaching activities have been adequately mitigated.
For more information about the 3Rs and how researchers and teachers must address the Principles in their applications, read our useful information page.
The Murdoch University AEC comprises a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and one or more members representing four mandated categories:
- Category A – A veterinary surgeon registered in Australia with experience relevant to the institution’s activities or the ability to acquire relevant knowledge.
- Category B – A suitably qualified person with substantial and recent experience in the use of animals for scientific purposes relevant to the institution and the business of the AEC. Typically, this includes researchers and teachers that are experienced with using animals for scientific purposes.
- Category C – A person with demonstrable commitment to, and established experience in, furthering the welfare of animals, who is not employed by, or otherwise associated with, the institution, and who is not currently involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. These members are generally active members of organisations that aim to improve animal welfare e.g. Animal charities.
Category D – A person not employed by, or otherwise associated with, the institution, and who has never been involved in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities, either in their employment or beyond their undergraduate education. Category D members should be viewed by the wider community as bringing a completely independent view to the AEC and must not fit the requirements of any other category.
Read more about the role of the Murdoch University Animal Ethics Committee and the application process to work with live animals at Murdoch University.
Latest research news
See how our research is leaving an indelible mark on the world around us