Ethics

How we work


Ethics

An important part of any research is to maintain ethical standards and have appropriate approval from an institutional Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC). The Mayi Kuwayu Study has approval from the Australian National University’s HREC.

Mayi Kuwayu has also been approved by five other key HRECs that focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

We have sought approval for the Mayi Kuwayu Study in every state and territory in Australia that has an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander specific ethics committee.

In 2015, we gained ethics approval for the pilot phase of the survey from AIATSIS. Their HREC uses its own internationally respected Guidelines for Ethical Research in Australian Indigenous Studies when reviewing research projects.

Once we completed the pilot testing, we obtained approval from AIATSIS to run community focus group workshops and for participant recruitment.

The Mayi Kuwayu Study is approved by these Human Research Ethics Committees


  • Australian National University (ANU) HREC (2016/767) Approved 28 February 2017

  • Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Studies (AIATSIS) (E030/22052015)

  • Central Australian Human Research Ethics Committee (CAHREC) (CA-17-2810) Approved 27 April 2017

  • HREC of the Northern Territory Department of Health and Menzies School of Health Research (2017-2804) Approved 24 May 2017

  • New South Wales Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) HREC (1268/17) Approved 25 May 2017

  • Western Australian Aboriginal Health Ethics Committee (WAAHEC) (787) Approved 26 June 2017

  • The University of Tasmania’s HREC (H0016473) Approved 21 July 2017

  • The South Australian Aboriginal Health Research Ethics Committee (AHREC) (04-17-723) Approved 14 August 2017

  • St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne HREC (132/17) Approved 14 August 2017

  • ACT Health HREC (2018/ETH/00205)

  • Metro South HREC (2019/QMS/56115)

    • If you have questions, comments or concerns about this study, call our helpline: 1800 531 600

    You can also contact the Mayi Kuwayu Study Leader, Dr Ray Lovett at mkstudy@anu.edu.au



    For complaints, you can also contact:

    Ethics Manager

    The ANU Human Research Ethics Committee

    The Australian National University

    Human.ethics.officer@anu.edu.au



    You can contact the relevant State/Territory Human Research Ethics Committees here