Module 1.2-Aus: Legislation as it Affects Research in Australia

This module covers the most common legislative frameworks affecting research in Australia and focusses on the essential elements that a research management professional needs to know about legislation. It looks at the types of legislation, jurisdictional issues, understanding legislation and the legal status of research institutions. It also covers general legislative obligations in research as well as research specific and project specific legislation.

This module is not designed to make research management professionals legal experts; but to enable them to take a proactive role in assessing research project proposals and to be involved in the design of research projects in light of applicable legislative obligations.

Key learning outcomes

After completing this module, participants should be able to:

  • Describe how legislation and legislative frameworks affect research in Australia;
  • Formulate appropriate questions to ask about a project to be able to proactively review project proposals and identify (“issue spot”) possible legislative compliance issues and risks for their organisations;
  • Identify when legal advice is required on particular legislative issues and know what the process is for doing this within their organisations;
  • Understand that compliance risks arising in a research project can be managed and that organisations have difference systems in place for managing risk;
  • Identify which legislative requirement require ongoing monitoring and management for a particular project;
  • Identify who should for legislative reasons be consulted or involved in a particular deal; and
  • Know where to go for further information and advice on a particular legislative issue.

Who should attend?

This module is suitable for those who are new to the research management profession, those who have specialised in one area of research management and wish to broaden their knowledge and/or those who are experienced research managers but wish to refresh their knowledge in a specific topic area.

Research management professionals from all organisations and institutions will benefit from this module including those from:

  • Research agencies and institutes;
  • Medical research institutes;
  • Research and development corporations;
  • Research centres;
  • Government departments;
  • Funding bodies;
  • Industrial research and development teams;
  • Service providers;
  • Commercialisation bodies; and
  • Consultancies.

This is a compulsory module for individuals completing the ARMS Foundation Level Accreditation Program in Australia. Each module can also be taken as a stand-alone unit for professional development purposes.