Openness in animal research and teaching

The Openness Agreement, launched in 2023, was developed by the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART). The Openness Agreement is a voluntary pledge, signed by organisations wishing to demonstrate their commitment to greater transparency in the use of animals for research or teaching.

Modelled on the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK, its development included a full public consultation and additional consultation with the research community.

As a signatory, UniSQ has pledged to meet all four of the Openness Agreement’s commitments:

1. We will be open about our involvement in the use of animals in research or teaching.
2. We will enhance our communications with the media and the public about our use of animals in research or teaching.
3. We will be proactive in providing opportunities for the public to find out about research or teaching involving animals.
4. We will report annually on our efforts to improve Openness in our use of animals in research or teaching.

For further information about UniSQ's pledge, contact animal.ethics@unisq.edu.au. 

In addition to the Openness Agreement, UniSQ teachers and researchers comply with the requirements of the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes (the Code) along with all other relevant legislative requirements and guidelines relating to the use of animals for scientific purposes.

In accordance with the Code, UniSQ has established the UniSQ Animal Ethics Committee, which is tasked with ensuring that all activities relating to the care and use of animals are conducted in compliance with the Code.

All activities involving the care and use of animals for scientific purposes at UniSQ:

• are subject to ethical review, approval and monitoring by the UniSQ AEC
• may only commence after approval has been granted by the UniSQ AEC
• must be conducted in accordance with the AEC approval
• must cease if approval from the AEC is suspended, withdrawn or expired

The University is committed to promoting and ensuring the ethical use of animals for scientific purposes.

Animals will only be used for scientific purposes when there will be scientific or educational merit and the potential effects on the animals involved is justified by the potential benefits to humans, animals or the environment.

The University is committed to applying the '3R's' at all stages of animal care and use through:

• 'Replacing' animals with alternative methods that permit the purpose of an activity or project to be achieved without the use of animals;
• 'Reducing' the number of animals used through deploying methods for obtaining comparable levels of information from the use of fewer animals in scientific procedures, or for obtaining more information from the same number of animals; and
• 'Refinement' of techniques and methods that alleviate or minimise potential pain and distress and enhance animal wellbeing.

Animal Wellbeing and Ethics Policy - University of Southern Queensland

UniSQ researchers undertake research across Australia within urban and agricultural areas, national parks, captive wildlife facilities as well as animal training and breeding facilities. Methodologies include the use of drones, audio recorders and spotlighting to monitor wildlife, species recognition doors, scat sampling to analyse health, diet and genetics, trapping, capture, marking (including collars, tags, tail clipping) for reidentification, sample collection (e.g. blood) and health assessments. A range of non-intrusive methods, such as camera trapping and soil plots are also utilised to achieve research aims.

Animals are only used in teaching activities where necessary to provide training to students to ensure the next generation of livestock workers learn best practice in animal welfare and livestock husbandry.

Links to current research and featured media and publications are included below:

• UniSQ Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems | UniSQ - refer to Wildlife Management

Media  

• Why are some cats more allergenic than others? It’s not their coat length Dr Jazmine Skinner (Apr 2025)
• Could keeping native species as pets save them from extinction? Here’s why it’s not that simple Dr Meg Edwards (Nov 24)
• Researcher talks at the national Pint of Science Festival (May 2025):
  • Tiny Threats & Wild Returns: Saving Nature From Soil to Savannah (including 'Studying the underloved and underappreciated wildlife' by Dr Meg Edwards)
  • Paws and Peace of Mind: How Dogs and Healthy Towns Can Shape Our Wellbeing (including 'All dogs are therapy dogs. Some of them are freelancing' by Prof. Lainie Cameron)

Publications

• Environmental DNA reveals habitat variables driving platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) distribution across an urbanised landscape, 2025
• Evaluating sublethal anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in deceased predatory birds of South-East Queensland, Australia, 2024
• Effect of phenylbutazone administration on the enteroinsular axis in horses with insulin dysregulation, 2024
• Immediate impacts of fire on koala movement in a fragmented landscape, 2024
• High survivorship and rapid population growth of the greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) reintroduced to a feral predator exclosure, 2024
• Urban trawling bats depend on green and blue space in a subtropical city: implications for urban planning and climate change resilience, 2024
• Vitamin K: history, metabolism, and nutrition in the horse, 2023
• The Use of Percutaneous Thermal Sensing Microchips to Measure Body Temperature in Horses during and after Exercise Using Three Different Cool-Down Methods, 2022

What animals are used by UniSQ?

UniSQ’s animal use involvement primarily relates to ecological research involving the capture and release of free-ranging wildlife, such as reptiles, amphibians and native mammals. This research often supports conservation, for example by developing impact mitigation strategies before planned habitat disruption (e.g. road or rail development). Animals are also used in teaching, particularly livestock such as cattle, to support best practice training in animal handling, and husbandry. UniSQ does not have animal facilities and does not hold animals on campus.

Do animals benefit from research?

Yes. Research involving animals at UniSQ contributes to the conservation of species and their habitats, improves animal welfare, and supports sustainable agricultural practices.  Teaching activities involving livestock promote best practice animal handling, and husbandry.

Are animals used for teaching?

Yes. While UniSQ prioritises the use of non-animal alternatives in teaching wherever possible, some courses, particularly in agricultural and wildlife sciences, require the use of live animals to ensure students gain essential practical skills. All such activities undergo review and approval by the UniSQ Animal Ethics Committee in accordance with state legislation and welfare standards. 

Do UniSQ researchers test cosmetics on animals?

No. UniSQ does not conduct cosmetic testing on animals. This practice is banned in Australia and does not align with UniSQ’s ethical standards.

How does the University report on animal use?

UniSQ ensures transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements through multiple reporting mechanisms:

• Annual reporting on all approved projects to the UniSQ Animal Ethics Committee.
• Annual statutory reporting to regulators, including detailed data on species, animal numbers, and project purposes.
• Internal reporting to the Research Committee and University Council.
• Public transparency through UniSQ’s statement and participation in the ANZCCART Openness Agreement.
• Regular independent external reviews to ensure the University’s processes and Animal Ethics Committee provide effective oversight of animal care and use.