Human Research Ethics Committee
Join the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Human Research Ethics Committee (VACCHO HREC) – and help ensure health, medical and wellbeing research truly respects and uplifts Communities.
Protecting and strengthening our Communities
For years, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria have called for a dedicated mechanism to guide ethical research. The VACCHO HREC answers that call – created as part of marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri: The Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Medical, and Wellbeing Research Accord.
It’s a major step towards ensuring health, medical and wellbeing research truly respects and uplifts our Communities.
Now, we need passionate voices to join this important work as Committee members and advisors.
Get involved with the HREC
This committee will help make health, medical and wellbeing research more ethical and culturally safe for Mob. But we can’t do it without you.
Here are the available roles – and who can apply:
Committee members
What's involved?
As a Committee member, you will:
- Help shape and monitor health and wellbeing research impacting Communities in Victoria, ensuring it aligns with our values and aspirations
- Be remunerated for your time
- Receive a thorough induction – plus ongoing training, mentoring and support
- Meet with the HREC 10 times throughout the year – and dates are flexible.
Who can apply?
If you’re an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander:
- Community member passionate about ethical research
- Young person (aged between 18-30)
- Elder or Community leader
Or if you identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and have experience:
- In the health care sector – e.g. as a doctor, nurse, counsellor or allied health worker
- As a legal practitioner
- In health and wellbeing research
We’d love to hear from you.
Committee advisors
What's involved?
As a Committee advisor, you will:
- Help shape and monitor health and wellbeing research impacting Communities in Victoria, ensuring it aligns with our values and aspirations
- Support the core HREC members with expert review and opinions on complex research applications
- Contribute on an ad-hoc basis
- Help uphold ethical conduct in health, wellbeing and medical research impacting Mob
Who can apply?
This role is open to non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who, due to other personal or professional responsibilities, may be unable to commit to full HREC membership.
If you’re an experienced:
- Health, medical and wellbeing researcher
- Nurse, doctor, counsellor, allied health professional – or other professional involved in peoples’ care and/or treatment
- Qualified legal practitioner (practicing or non-practicing), not engaged to advise VACCHO on research or any other matter
We want you!
Spread the word in your Community or networks
Know someone who might be interested in joining the HREC? Share this website, forward the EOI to others, or display the downloadable posters in your workplace or Community spaces.