Aboriginal Research

Research involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People

There are two recognised Indigenous Peoples in Australia: Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples (hereafter Aboriginal Peoples). Six Core Values underpin the ethical conduct of research that involves (i.e., non-incidental involvement) Aboriginal Peoples:

• Reciprocity
• Respect
• Equality
• Responsibility
• Survival and protection
• Spirit and integrity

In addition to the Six Core Values, researchers should be aware of the great diversity that exists across the many Aboriginal cultures and societies. They should consider the cultural and local-language protocols of the communities or groups who are involved. 

Section 4 of the National Statement was extensively revised in 2025. See the National Statement (2025), Chapters 4.1 and 4.7. It has stronger links to more detailed guidance on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. Researchers should not just be relying on the National Statement. They should also follow the guidance documents (below) on the best standards of ethical research and human rights. These resources assist researchers to follow a process of meaningful engagement and reciprocity with the Aboriginal Peoples or communities who are involved in their research. See:

• NHMRC’s Ethical Conduct in Research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Communities: Guidelines for Researchers and Stakeholders (2018)
• Keeping Research on Track II (2018)
• AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research (2020)
• ‘A Guide to Applying the AIATSIS Code of Ethics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Research’ (2020) produced by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS).

The National Statement also requires that the research be approved by a Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) that specialises in reviewing research with Aboriginal Peoples.

In NSW, this is the  Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AHMRC)  HREC. The AH&MRC HREC assists researchers in designing meaningful, ethical, and culturally appropriate projects that minimise harm and mitigate risks for Aboriginal Communities. Where AHMRC HREC approval is required, it must be obtained before an ethics application is submitted to an SLHD HREC (apart from clinical trials and other studies that need to be reviewed by the Clinical Trials sub-Committee). The AH&MRC HREC approval letter should be submitted with the application in REGIS. For Ethics enquiries, contact: ethics@ahmrc.org.au

The National Statement’s core ethical principles support the inclusion of all people who are eligible for research, including those who may be at increased risk of harm in the research setting, such as, Aboriginal peoples and pregnant women. The updated National Statement strongly emphasises the importance of including people and groups who have traditionally been excluded or under-represented in research. Researchers should try to maximise inclusion to avoid the harm that is caused when people are inappropriately excluded from research. There should be meaningful consultation and engagement to support people’s agency and show respect for their right to self-determination.

This means, therefore, that researchers will need to develop strategies to eliminate, minimise, mitigate, and/or manage any additional risk that the research may pose for Aboriginal Peoples.

• The automatic requirement for research involving Aboriginal peoples to be reviewed by the full HREC (higher risk pathway) has also been removed (but note that AH&MRC HREC approval is required. This enables studies involving Aboriginal Peoples to be reviewed under the SLHD low risk ethics review pathway (where appropriate). See guidance here https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/research/descisionaid.html