Scientific Procedures Premises Licence
A Scientific Procedures Premises Licence (SPPL) authorises the use of scientific premises for scientific procedures.
‘Scientific premises’ are defined as those premises ordinarily used for scientific procedures, for example research laboratories. If scientific procedures are conducted at other sites, for example commercial farms or veterinary clinics, a Scientific Procedures Fieldwork Licence (SPFL) is required.
Scientific premises must be listed on the licence and are regularly inspected by:
- Animal Welfare Victoria
- Animal Ethics Committee (AEC).
The licence nominee
This is the individual nominated by the applicant or licence holder to be responsible for procedures under a Scientific Procedures Premises 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 Premises 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.
Further information on animal ethics committees.
Breeding of specified animals
The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA Act) requires that the breeding of 'specified animals' (laboratory rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and non-human primates) for use in scientific procedures be authorised by a licence.
There are two types of licences that can authorise the breeding of specified animals:
- Scientific Procedures Premises Licence – where a scientific procedures licence holder is breeding for its internal use
- Specified Animals Breeding Licence – where breeding is undertaken to supply to other licence holders.
The Scientific Procedures Premises Licence may be used to authorise this breeding for use by the licence holder only, and under AEC approval of procedures, personnel, and premises. The licence does not authorise breeding of specified animals for supply to other institutions. If breeding for supply is undertaken, a Specified Animals Breeding Licence is required.
Breeding of a new strain or hybrid of a genetically modified animal is considered to be a scientific procedure, and must be authorised by a Scientific Procedures Premises Licence.
Other licence conditions
All practices carried out under the licence must be in compliance with the:
- National Health and Medical Research Council's Australian code 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 Premises Licence conditions may be found under Regulation 107 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Regulations 2019.
Extensive penalties are provided for under the POCTA Act 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 – accessible (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
- Change of Premises
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