The Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act (1996) requires that institutions conducting research and teaching using animals comply with the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animal for Scientific Purposes 2004 (the Code) and designate an Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) to oversee the conduct of the institutions' care and use of animals for scientific and teaching purposes.
An AEC comprises at least 4 persons, one from each of the following:
Category A: a veterinarian with relevant experience.
Category B: a person with substantial recent scientific or teaching experience in the use of animals.
Category C: a person with an active membership of an animal welfare organisation or with a demonstrated commitment to animal welfare/ethics.
Category D: an independent person who has not been involved in the scientific use of animals and who is independent of the institution.
There are many reasons why individuals become members of an AEC. These may include:
Being a member of an AEC can be stimulating and enjoyable. All members learn from the thoughts and opinions of each other as well as learning about animal use activities.
For further information about the use of animals in research and teaching, including the role of Animal Ethics Committee visit the Primary industries and fisheries 
website.
In accordance with the requirements of the 'Code', the Chief Executive Officers of Education Queensland (EQ), the Queensland Catholic Education Commission (QCEC) and Independent Schools Queensland (ISQ) have established the Queensland Schools Animal Ethics Committee (QSAEC).
QSAEC members are drawn from the scientific and wider community to bring a diversity of knowledge, values and beliefs to the committee.
The QSAEC considers and provides approval for the proper and ethical use of animals for scientific teaching purposes in all Queensland schools. The main task of the members of the Queensland Schools Animal Ethics Committee is to weigh up the benefits and costs of using animals in schools. The QSAEC members decide whether the proposed activities have justified the use of animals and that the welfare of those animals has been considered.
One of the key considerations of the QSAEC is the 3Rs of animal welfare:
For further information on the functioning of the QSAEC please refer to the Terms of Reference 
119k.
All QSAEC members must attend training run by the Department of Employment Economic Development and Innovation.
The Committee meets a minimum of four times a year for approximately 5 hours each meeting during business hours. Before each QSAEC meeting members will be required to:
Depending on the number and complexity of the applications it may take two or more days for this preparation.
In considering a project application, the QSAEC looks at the balance between harm to the animals and the benefits of the work to be undertaken.
Occasional attendance at a teleconference or subcommittee meeting may also be necessary. These are kept to a minimum.
Attendance at an inspection of an animal holding facility may be required.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the QSAEC please submit an Expression of Interest to Animal Ethics Inbox.
The Expression of Interest should include a Curriculum Vitae, and a short statement of no more than 100 words nominating the Category of interest and indicating relevant expertise or experience as it relates to that Category.
Category A - a person with qualifications in veterinary science and with experience relevant to the activities of the institution. Veterinarians who lack this experience must familiarise themselves with the biology and clinical characteristics of the species of animals used.
Category B - a suitably qualified person with substantial recent experience in the use of animals in scientific or teaching activities. This will usually entail possession of a higher degree in research.
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 involved in the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Veterinarians with specific animal welfare interest and experience may meet the requirements of this Category. While not representing an animal welfare organisation, the person should, where possible, be selected on the basis of active membership of, and nomination by, such an organisation; and
Category D - a person who is both independent of 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 under-graduate 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.
Visit the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation website or contact the Call Centre on 132523.
Contact the Education Queensland Animal Ethics Officer who is also the QSAEC convenor.
Information here is provided as general advice only. It does not encompass all sections of the Act and Scientific Use Code relevant to Animal Ethics Committees and the use of animals for scientific purposes.
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2007.