Teaching with Animals

Applying to VSAEC for approval to teach with animals

The Victorian Schools Animal Ethics Committee (VSAEC) meets at least 4 times a year (once per term) to assess new applications for use of animals in schools, review current activities and evaluate completion reports. Applications are due to the VSAEC secretariat (animalethics@education.vic.gov.au) at least 2 weeks before each committee meeting. Outcomes are communicated to the applicants within 10 business days of the meeting.

In 2024, VSAEC meetings will be held on the following dates:

• Term 3 – 27 August:
  • applications due 13 August for Term 4, 2024 activities
• Term 4 – 26 November:
  • applications due 12 November for Term 1, 2025 activities.

Late applications will be held over to the next scheduled VSAEC meeting.

Extra-ordinary meetings

To assist schools obtain VSAEC approval for the teaching with animals activities, VSAEC may schedule extra-ordinary meeting throughout the year.

To avoid delays in approval, schools are recommended to:

• plan ahead and seek support from the VSAEC Secretariat early (if required)
• refer to supporting resources to assist in completing the form, including the example completed application and standard operating procedures on animal species, available on the Resources tab
• ensure all questions in the application are completed and responses clear.

A separate application must be completed for each proposed teaching with animals activity.

For assistance completing the application form, contact the VSAEC Secretariat at animalethics@education.vic.gov.au

The application form for VSAEC approval to teach with animals is available on the Resources tab.

What does the VSAEC need to see in an application?

The VSAEC assesses applications and monitors the use of animals in scientific procedures. When the use of animals is not considered justifiable or when it does not conform with the requirements of the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, projects can be rejected.

The questions on the VSAEC application form address the following criteria:

• respect for animals and an understanding of their needs
• justification of animals in the classroom and the high educational value of the proposed activity or program
• evidence that real alternatives have been considered and a convincing argument that none of the alternatives (either alone or in combination) are sufficient to achieve the same educational benefit that using animals would achieve
• the educational benefit of the activity or program is large enough to balance or outweigh the predicted or potential impact on the animals
• steps to reduce the number of animals required
• steps to minimise the impact on the animals
• the competence and experience of all animal carers on the activity or program
• details of the housing and transport of the animals
• a detailed description of the use of the animals – for example, what, when, how and why
• the animal source (where did the animals come from)
• an account and justification of what will happen to the animals at the end of the activity or program.

Photos (for example, of animal housing arrangements) can be included to support the application.