National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au F2016L00682 Regulations In force Legislative Instrument

Legislation content

National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016

made under the

National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 20 March 2024

Includes amendments: F2024L00294

Registered: 3 April 2024

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 20 March 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Selfrepealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

Part 1—Preliminary

1 Name

3 Authority

5 Definitions

Part 2—Regulatory recommendations and guidelines

6 Consultation about regulatory recommendations—information required in notices

7 Consultation about guidelines—information required in notice

8 Interim regulatory recommendations and guidelines—information required in notices

9 Proposal to dispense with consultation requirements—notice requirements

Part 3—Application, savings and transitional provisions

10 Savings—repeal of National Health and Medical Research Council Regulations 2006

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Part 1—Preliminary

 

1  Name

  This is the National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.

5  Definitions

  In this instrument:

Act means the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992.

NHMRC website means the website established and maintained by the NHMRC.

Part 2—Regulatory recommendations and guidelines

 

6  Consultation about regulatory recommendations—information required in notices

 (2) A notice under subsection 12(2) of the Act must include the following:

 (a) the subject matter of the proposed regulatory recommendation to which the notice relates;

 (b) a summary of the proposed recommendation;

 (c) the last day on which the Council will accept submissions relating to the proposed recommendation, which must be a day that is at least 30 days after the notice is published on the NHMRC’s website.

Note: A notice under subsection 12(2) of the Act must also include the information mentioned in that subsection.

 (3) A notice under paragraph 12(3)(a) of the Act must include the following:

 (a) the subject matter of the draft recommendation;

 (b) the last day on which the Council will accept submissions relating to the draft recommendation, which must be a day that is at least 30 days after the notice is published on the NHMRC’s website.

Note: A notice under paragraph 12(3)(a) of the Act must also include the information mentioned in that paragraph.

 (4) A notice under paragraph 12(3)(b) of the Act must include the following:

 (a) the subject matter of the recommendation;

 (b) the reasons why the Council no longer proposes to provide the recommendation to the CEO.

Note: A notice under paragraph 12(3)(b) of the Act must also include the information mentioned in that paragraph.

7  Consultation about guidelines—information required in notice

  A notice under paragraph 13(d) of the Act must include the following:

 (a) the subject matter of the draft guidelines to which the notice relates;

 (b) the last day on which the Council or the Australian Health Ethics Committee will accept submissions relating to the draft guidelines, which must be a day that is at least 30 days after the notice is published on the NHMRC’s website.

Note: A notice under paragraph 13(d) of the Act must also include the information mentioned in that paragraph.

8  Interim regulatory recommendations and guidelines—information required in notices

  A notice under subsection 14(2), (4) or (6) of the Act must include the following:

 (a) the subject matter of the interim regulatory recommendation, or the interim guidelines, to which the notice relates;

 (b) a statement about where copies of the interim regulatory recommendation or interim guidelines can be obtained;

 (c) the last day on which the Council or the Australian Health Ethics Committee will accept submissions relating to the interim regulatory recommendation or interim guidelines, which must be a day that is at least 30 days after the notice is published on the NHMRC’s website.

Note: A notice under subsection 14(2), (4) or (6) of the Act must also include the information mentioned in subsection 14(2), (4) or (6) of the Act, as the case requires.

9  Proposal to dispense with consultation requirements—notice requirements

 (1) A notice under subsection 14B(2) of the Act must be published within 30 days after the day the Council, or the Australian Health Ethics Committee, decides to propose to dispense with the requirements (the consultation requirements) set out in section 12 or 13, or subsection 14A(2), of the Act.

 (2) A notice under subsection 14B(2) of the Act must include the following:

 (a) the subject matter of the proposed regulatory recommendation or the proposed guidelines in relation to which the Council or the Australian Health Ethics Committee proposes to dispense with the consultation requirements;

 (b) a summary of the proposed regulatory recommendation or the proposed guidelines.

Note: A notice under subsection 14B(2) of the Act must also include the information mentioned in that subsection.

Part 3—Application, savings and transitional provisions

 

10  Savings—repeal of National Health and Medical Research Council Regulations 2006

  Despite the repeal of the National Health and Medical Research Council Regulations 2006 by Schedule 1 to this instrument, those Regulations as in force immediately before they were repealed continue to apply, in relation to a notice published before the commencement of this instrument, as if the repeal had not happened.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

 

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016

6 May 2016 (F2016L00682)

7 May 2016 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms) Regulations 2024.

15 Mar 2024 (F2024L00294)

Sch 1 (items 36–49): 20 Mar 2024 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

Part 1

 

s 2.....................

rep LA s 48D

s 4.....................

rep LA s 48C

Part 2

 

s 6.....................

am F2024L00294

s 7.....................

am F2024L00294

s 8.....................

am F2024L00294

s 9.....................

am F2024L00294

Schedule 1................

rep LA s 48C

 

Overview

The National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016, made under the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992, was enacted to establish the regulatory framework governing the activities of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). This legislation addresses the need for a structured approach to the NHMRC's role in providing advice on health and medical research and ensuring ethical standards in research involving humans. The Regulations detail the processes for consultation and public notice requirements regarding regulatory recommendations and guidelines, aiming to ensure transparency and public participation in the development of health and medical research policies. The policy objective is to foster ethical and high-quality research that benefits public health and safety while respecting individual rights and welfare. The Regulations are overseen by the NHMRC, which is responsible for implementing and enforcing the provisions set out in the Act. This regulatory framework aims to streamline the NHMRC's operations and enhance its capacity to deliver effective health and medical research outcomes. The Regulations provide clarity on the procedures for public consultations and the dissemination of information, ensuring that stakeholders have an opportunity to contribute to the development of research guidelines and recommendations. The enactment of these Regulations helps to maintain the integrity and accountability of the NHMRC in fulfilling its mandate.

Scope and Application

The National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016 applies to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), its functions, and its relationship with the Commonwealth of Australia. It is designed to facilitate the NHMRC’s role in providing advice to the Commonwealth on health and medical research matters. The regulation details the procedures and requirements for the NHMRC to make regulatory recommendations and guidelines, including the necessary consultation processes with the public and relevant stakeholders. These provisions are applicable nationally, extending to all entities and individuals engaged in health and medical research within Australia. The regulation also includes transitional provisions to ensure continuity of operations following the repeal of previous regulations. Notably, the regulation does not specify exclusions or thresholds but does provide for the potential dispensation of certain consultation requirements under specific circumstances. Subordinate instruments may further extend or restrict the application of these regulations, ensuring that the NHMRC can effectively adapt to evolving research environments and regulatory needs.

Key Provisions

The National Health and Medical Research Council Regulation 2016, made under the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992, sets out specific requirements and procedures for the consultation process regarding regulatory recommendations and guidelines. Section 6 specifies that a notice regarding proposed regulatory recommendations must include the subject matter, a summary of the proposal, and the deadline for submissions, which must be at least 30 days after publication on the NHMRC's website. Section 7 mandates that notices about draft guidelines include the subject matter and a deadline for submissions, also at least 30 days after publication on the NHMRC's website. Section 8 requires notices about interim regulatory recommendations or guidelines to include the subject matter, information on where copies can be obtained, and a submission deadline of at least 30 days after publication. Section 9 stipulates that notices proposing to dispense with consultation requirements must be published within 30 days of the decision and must include the subject matter and a summary of the proposed recommendation or guidelines. The obligations imposed by the Act require the NHMRC to ensure that all notices are published on their website and include the specified information. The NHMRC must also ensure that deadlines for submissions are set at a minimum of 30 days after publication. Additionally, the NHMRC must maintain a record of all submissions received in response to these notices and consider them appropriately in their decision-making process. Failure to adhere to these requirements could undermine the transparency and effectiveness of the consultation process. The Act also includes provisions for offences and penalties in the event of non-compliance. While specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text, breaches of the consultation requirements could potentially lead to legal consequences under the broader Act or other relevant legislation. The NHMRC is authorised to enforce compliance with these regulations, and persistent non-compliance might result in administrative or judicial actions. Additionally, any failure to properly follow the consultation process could result in recommendations or guidelines being deemed invalid, thereby impacting the regulatory framework's integrity and public trust.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Medical Law
Instrument
Legislative Instrument
Concepts
Definitions & Interpretation
Consultation Requirements
Regulatory Standards

Interactions

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Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.