Adelaide Compliance & Ethics System (ACES)

Research Services and ITDS are implementing a new platform called the Adelaide Compliance and Ethics System (ACES) for managing Human and Animal Ethics and Biosafety applications.

Work has commenced to streamline current systems and processes into this single online platform to handle application and approval processes.

This initiative proposes to deliver new functionality in a staged approach early-2025, with Animal scheduled to go live mid-February, and Human and Biosafety in the coming months.Ìý

ACES will provide a range of benefits such as:

  • Streamlined and intuitive online forms to improve the user experience for applicants, committees and support staff;
  • A common platform for all Ethics and Compliance applications;
  • An expected reduction in turn-around time for application approvals;
  • Greater flexibility and configurability of the system to improve responsiveness to changes in processes, guidelines and user requests; and
  • The ability to track the progress of applications from submission to approval.

Further communication will be sent when Animal goes live in ACES, and then again in the lead-up to the Human and Biosafety ACES go-live.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, please contact Research Services.

You will find a list of frequently asked questions below and answers to assist you with the new ACES system.

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General FAQ

  • What is ACES?

    ACES stands for Adelaide Compliance and Ethics Systems. This system enables applicants to:
    -ÌýÌý ÌýDraft and submit a brand-new application in the following areas:

    • Gene Technology/Regulated Biological Materials
    • Human ethics
    • Animal ethics

    -ÌýÌý ÌýAmend an existing application
    -ÌýÌý ÌýDuplicate an existing application
    -ÌýÌý ÌýTransferring an application to another user

    It also has a 'reviewer' access interface which allows predetermined roles to:
    - Review assigned applications
    - Added comments and request changes
    - Approve applications
    - Review application within committee meetings
    - Issue approval documentation

  • Do I need to apply for access to ACES?

    All existing ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide academic and professional staff, research students, affiliates, conjoints and adjuncts will automatically be granted access to the platform. No registration is required. You can log in by clicking on the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog Login button on the login page.
    External users: If you are an external user (collaborator), please contact the relevant Research Ethics or Compliance Officer who will set you up with an account.

  • I have started my application in the old system, do I need to redo it in the new one?

    Each area, whether it's Animal Ethics, Human Ethics, Compliance will specify when the system goes live and will indicate when we will stop accepting applications the old way. If you have any concerns, please speak with relevant Ethics or Compliance Officer.

  • What happens to my application if it is already approved and in the old system?

    For a short period of time, we will operating in both systems. Please use the system the application was originally approved in. By the end of 2025, it is expected that all applications will be migrated into ACES.

Applicant FAQ

  • I am in the system but I don't know which application I need to submit.

    We strongly recommend you reach out to the relevant Ethics or Compliance Officer, they can guide you towards which one is best suited to your research project. Keep in mind, every application will initially be screened before proceeding to a reviewer. This is to make sure the application is appropriate and has the required information to proceed.Ìý

  • The contact information that has been populate is different or outdated and it won’t let me change it.

    This data is pulled from the university system. Please use the following form to make any amendments: The ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide phone directory.

  • Why won’t it let me submit my application?

    When you go to submit your application, a ‘Completeness Check’ will occur to ensure you have completed all mandatory questions. Please ensure all the amendments that are listed has been made before submission. If you believe the application has been completed in full, you may wish to submit it anyway but clicking ‘Submit anyway’.

  • How do I print my application?

    To print an application form (without supporting documents), open the relevant application; click Print in the left-hand action panel.


    To print an application form and all supporting documents, open the relevant application; click the Documents tab, then click Download all as PDF.

  • Someone shared a project with me by mistake, what should we do?

    If a project was shared with you by mistake, or if you no longer require access to the project, you can reject the project in your Shared folder by clicking Reject on the right-hand side of the relevant project. Please note this does not remove you as an investigator from a project. If you want to be removed as an investigator, please contact the CI and ask that they submit an amendment to remove you.

  • I recently added an investigator/student/collaborator to the system, but it won’t let me add them to the application.

    If the users name is not found using the search function, they need to log in and out of ACES to activate their profile – they will then appear in the search list. Please note that external/non-×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide investigators cannot be searched for in the ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide directory and must be manually added in the correct areas.Ìý

  • I have listed my colleague on the application, but they cannot see the form.

    Listing an investigator in the relevant personnel section of the form does not automatically give them access to read the application. Applications must be ‘shared’ with all listed investigators. You can also assign permissions to edit an application and to submit amendments or reports. To do this, click on ‘Roles’ and add the email address of the person you would like to share the project with.

  • Someone from my project team has left and will need to be removed from anything relating to the project.

    If your project has been approved, you will need to submit an amendment to remove investigators. See Section XX Submitting an Amendment, for instructions on how to initiate an amendment. Once a project is unlocked you can remove investigators by clicking ‘remove’ beneath the relevant person you wish to remove.
    For mandatory roles, e.g. Deputy CI, Person Responsible for Animal Care, you cannot remove the person listed. Instead, you will need to use the ‘Search User’ bar to enter the name of the person who will be taking on the role. Once selected, this person’s details will overwrite the details of the original investigator listed in the contact block.Ìý
    If the person you are trying to remove is the only person listed in the section i.e. if there is only one student listed, and you are trying to remove this person, you will not see the remove button. Instead, you’ll need to untick the relevant tick box above to remove the section from the form.
    After amending personnel, you should review the Collaborators tab to ensure that only the required people have access to your project. You may need to remove access to any investigators no longer involved in the project.Ìý

  • I have so many applications, how can I organise my work area?

    Folders can be created to organise your work area (the homepage). Located in the navigation panel (top left), there is an option to ‘Create Folder’. Click this and follow the prompts to create and name the folder. Once the folder has been created, click and drag the projects from the projects list into the folders where you would like them to appear.

  • I am having trouble adding a project owner.

    The Project Owner (Chief Investigator) must be the lead ×îÐÂÌÇÐÄVlog of Adelaide Supervisor with overall responsibility of the project. This cannot be a student.

  • How do I view applications that have been shared with me?

    Projects already shared with you will be listed in the projects list in your Work Area (Homepage). The Owner listed is the Chief Investigator. Projects can also be viewed in the Shared folder.
    If a project was shared with you by mistake, or if you no longer require access to the project, you can reject the project in your Shared folder by clicking Reject on the right-hand side of the relevant project. Please note this does not remove you as an investigator from a project. If you want to be removed as an investigator, please contact the CI and ask that they submit an amendment to remove you.

  • Where can I go for further support?

    Office of Research Ethics, Compliance and Integrity (ORECI)

    T: +61 8 8313 4417 or E: recu@adelaide.edu.au

November 2024

A new system for Ethics and Biosafety application is coming.

Research Services and ITDS are implementing a new system for managing Human Research Ethics, Animal Ethics, and Biosafety applications. Work has begun to streamline current systems and processes into a single online platform. Key benefits include:

  • Streamlined and intuitive online forms to improve the user experience for applicants, committees, and support staff.
  • A common platform for all Ethics and Compliance applications.
  • An expected reduction in turnaround time for approvals.
  • Greater flexibility and configurability to improve responsiveness to changes in processes, guidelines, and user requests.
  • The ability to track the progress of your application from submission to approval.

The project is scheduled for release in Q1 2025. For more information contactÌýResearch Services.

Contact us

Office of Research Ethics, Compliance and Integrity (ORECI)

T: +61 8 8313 4417 orÌýE:Ìýrecu@adelaide.edu.au

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