Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence
Scientific fieldwork
A Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence authorises the use of premises or locations that are not ordinarily used for scientific procedures.
Examples might include:
- use of production animals on farms
- a clinical trial of a new veterinary treatment at a veterinary hospital
- use of non-captive animals in the wild.
Procedures, personnel and location(s) must be approved by the nominated Animal Ethics Committee (AEC) and standards appropriate to the level of use must be maintained.
Licence holders nominating an AEC based outside Victoria must notify Animal Welfare Victoria of fieldwork projects before they commence by submitting a fieldwork notification form.
Fieldwork notifications
Fieldwork notifications are required to be submitted in accordance with regulation 129 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019 before fieldwork commences under a Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence (SPFL) that utilises an interstate AEC.
In completing a fieldwork notification form, you will be required to provide details relating to how the AEC will monitor the project, where the project is being undertaken and a description of the work that is going to be undertaken. You must also list the species and numbers of animals that are expected to be used.
Licence holders of a SPFL that have nominated a Victorian AEC do not need to submit a fieldwork notification.
The fieldwork notification form can be found on the forms page.
The completed form can be submitted by email to sp.licensing@agriculture.vic.gov.au
The licence nominee
This is the individual nominated by the applicant or licence holder to be responsible for procedures under a Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence. The nominee is also responsible for ensuring all facilities and equipment are clean, safe for animals and in good repair.
The licence nominee is the first point of contact for Animal Welfare Victoria as the licensing authority, and will be corresponded with along with the designated licensing officer on all matters relating to the licence, such as:
- breaches of licence conditions
- licence audits
- reporting of animal use
- Animal Ethics Committee composition and conduct.
If the licence applicant is a natural person they must nominate themselves for this role. All nominees must have suitable authority to execute their obligations. This may be a vice chancellor for a university or chief executive officer for a company.
The animal ethics committee
An applicant for a Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence must have an agreement with a properly constituted and functioning animal ethics committee (AEC) to be nominated to oversee the care and use of animals and facilities.
The nominated AEC will be listed on the licence and no other AEC may be used. A properly constituted and functioning AEC is one conforming with the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition 2013.
Find out more about animal ethics committees.
Breeding
Breeding of specified animals is not authorised under a Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence.
Other licence conditions
All practices carried out under the licence must be compliant with the:
- National Health and Medical Research Council Australian code of practice for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes 8th edition 2013
- Victorian Code of practice for the housing and care of laboratory mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits.
Full details of the Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence conditions may be found in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019. These conditions will also be listed on the licence.
Under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) penalties may apply for breaches of licence conditions.
Download the Victorian Code of Practice:
- Code of Practice for the housing and care of laboratory mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits (PDF - 698.2 KB)
- Code of Practice for the housing and care of laboratory mice, rats, guinea pigs and rabbits (WORD - 1.1 MB)
Licence variations
Once a licence is granted the licence holder is required to submit a variation request to the Department Head for any of the following variations:
- Change to Licence Nominee
- Change to AEC member details
- Change of Licensing Officer
- Change of Nominated AEC
- Change of Licence Name
Please email sp.licensing@agriculture.vic.gov.au to request the appropriate form.
Forms
Forms are available on the forms page or email sp.licensing@agriculture.vic.gov.au