Human Research Ethics Training

Mandatory Human Ethics Training

Since January 2025, it has been mandatory for all researchers involved in human research to complete training in human research ethics and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Many of you have already completed the Human Research Ethics Foundations module developed by the University of Southern Queensland – thank you for your commitment to responsible and ethical research.

We are pleased to share an update that will make completing and tracking this training even easier. The Ethics and Integrity Office, in collaboration with the Graduate Research School and the Culture & Capability team, has been working to bring the Human Research Ethics Foundations training into JCU’s own learning management systems. From now on, you’ll have seamless access to the modules and your completion records through the Staff Learning Hub and SkillsJCU.

From 2026, where you access the training will depend on whether you’re a staff member or a student and which campus you’re based at.

JCU Australian Campuses (except JCU Brisbane)

Staff - Staff Learning Hub

HDR Students - SkillsJCU

Undergraduate students – LearnJCU (request access to the LearnJCU organisation via email to ethics@jcu.edu.au or via your honours co-ordinator)

JCU Singapore 

Staff and Undergraduate Students - LearnJCU - request access to the LearnJCU organisation via email researchsupport-singapore@jcu.edu.au

HDR Students – SkillsJCU

JCU Brisbane

Staff - LearnJCU (request access to the LearnJCU organisation via email to ethics@jcu.edu.au

Other Accepted Training

We will continue to accept acceptable alternatives to the Foundations training, including:

• Training completed at other institutions that reflects knowledge and understanding of the overarching principles of ethical conduct in research, including the operations of Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs) and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct of Human Research
• Training providers such as Praxis or Tricky Goose
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP) for clinical trials in Australia

You will also need to:

• Attach evidence of completion into you GECO ethics application
• Recomplete the training every three years

Who needs to complete training?

The following people need to complete training and provide evidence of completion:

• JCU Australia and Singapore researchers and students (including undergraduates and postgraduates) submitting applications to the JCU HREC for review
• JCU researchers and students working under the approval of an external Human Research Ethics Committee or review body, applying for JCU’s Acknowledgement of that approval
• AIMS researchers and students submitting applications to the JCU HREC for review
• Any of the above people, who are being added to a project by way of an amendment

Who doesn’t need to have completed training?

• External collaborators working with JCU or AIMS on JCU or AIMS projects

Questions? 

If you have any questions about the training, please contact the Ethics Office.