Research & Research Study

About the Biosafety Committee

All staff and students who will be conducting research or demonstration teaching projects that involve recombinant DNA, genetic manipulation, potentially infectious and/or hazardous agents (this will include human blood and tissues including saliva and may include animal blood and tissues), or who will be importing biological material, must apply to Macquarie University's Biosafety Committee for approval.

This also applies to projects being managed by Macquarie Research Limited and also applies to projects irrespective of whether the project funding is from NHMRC, a government agency or a private corporation. Researchers and students must check with the Biosafety Officer or the Chair of the Biosafety Committee if they are in any doubt as to whether their research needs Biosafety Committee approval.

Biosafety Workshop Information Pack 

Below are useful reference documents for the Biosafety Workshop on 21 February 2008:

• The process for submitting applications - flow chart (PDF)
• The process for submitting applications - flow chart (RTF)

• Changes to Exempt Dealings from 01 July 2007 (PDF)
• Changes to Exempt Dealings from 01 July 2007 (RTF)

• Classification of Exempt Dealings from 01 July 2007 (PDF)
• Classification of Exempt Dealings from 01 July 2007 (RTF)

• Containment Guidelines for Exempt Dealings (PDF)
• Containment Guidelines for Exempt Dealings (RTF)

• Changes to NLRDs and DNIRs from 01 July 2007 (PDF)
• Changes to NLRDs and DNIRs from 01 July 2007 (RTF)

• Classification of NLRDs from 01 July 2007 (PDF)
• Classification of NLRDs from 01 July 2007 (RTF)

• Contact list (PDF)
• Contact list (RTF)

National legislative framework

The Commonwealth has established a national legislative framework for the regulation of gene technology in Australia. This regulatory system is managed by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR). The Gene Technology Act 2000 was passed by Federal Parliament in December 2000 and takes effect from 21 June 2001. The Commonwealth Gene Technology Regulations 2001 form another component of the national scheme, also taking effect from 21 June 2001. More detail about the Regulator and the Regulations, including Application Forms, is available in the Handbook on the Regulation of Gene Technology in Australia.

Please check these web pages regularly so that you are kept up to date regarding changes to legislation and Biosafety Committee policies, procedures and clearance requirements.