Non-human hominid use in scientific procedures

A non-human hominid refers to a non-human member of the family Hominidae, such as gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans.

A person must not carry out a scientific procedure under a scientific procedures premises or fieldwork licence on a non-human hominid unless the Minister for Agriculture determines:

• it is in the best interests of that non-human hominid; OR
• in the best interests of the genus to which the non-human hominid belongs, AND that the benefits to be derived from the use of the non-human hominid are not outweighed by the likely harm to the non-human hominid; OR
• it is necessary to protect human health AND the objective of the procedure cannot be achieved by any other scientific means

See regulations 116 and 128 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019.

Conducting scientific procedures involving non-human hominids requires Ministerial approval and must be conducted in accordance with any conditions determined by the Minister.

See the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes. Further information on the Principles and guidelines for the care and use of non-human primates for scientific purposes can be found on the National Health and Medical Research Council website.

For more information on this subject or to apply for approval to conduct scientific procedures on non-human hominids, please email sp.licensing@agriculture.vic.gov.au.