Before you begin

Before you apply for governance authorisation, talk to our Research Governance Officer on 0447 678 599 or email torres-cape-research-governance@health.qld.gov.au. They can tell you what you need to apply and answer any questions.

We encourage you to get in touch early to talk about the study, and its impacts and benefits.

You can read the following documents to learn more.

How to apply

To apply for research governance authorisation you can submit a site-specific assessment (SSA) using the Ethical Review Manager (ERM). For help using ERM, read their help guide and answers to common questions.

Step 1. Prepare your supporting documents

You must send supporting documents with your SSA application. Use the research governance submission checklist [PDF 192.26 KB] to make sure you have everything you need.

Research agreements

If you’re working with other organisations, you may need a research agreement when you apply.

You can use these templates without further legal review if they aren’t changed.

For advice on the right agreement for your study, email torres-cape-research-governance@health.qld.gov.au.

Your budget

You must have a budget before you can get sign-off from our chief finance officer and executive delegate. You can use our site specific research budget template [XLSM 87.48 KB].

Your budget must include:

  • all costs, and detail any 'in-kind' support
  • the cost of labour, including any time needed from the local workforce
  • quotes from these teams if you’ll use their services in your study:
    • information management
    • radiology
    • pharmacy
    • pathology.
Budgets less than $10,000

The executive delegate approves these.

Budgets of $10,000 or more

Our business analysts review the budget.

The Executive Director of Finance, Information and Digital Services approve these.

For advice on finance approvals and budgets, email torres-cape-research-governance@health.qld.gov.au.

If we find problems with your budget in the review, we’ll return it to you.

Approvals by legislation or policy

Depending on the type of research, you may need more levels of approval in line with legislation or policy. Read section. 3.3 Additional Approvals Required by Legislation or Policy in our research approval procedure [PDF 298.94 KB].

Step 2. Get signatures and endorsements

Your SSA form will also need signatures from the executive delegate.

You can ask for sign-off by emailing to the relevant delegate for your SSA form and site-specific research budget [XLSM 87.48 KB].

The executive delegate will depend on the location of your proposed site.  If you’re unsure, email torres-cape-research-governance@health.qld.gov.au.

Executive General Manager – Northern sector
Email: tchhs-north-egm@health.qld.gov.au

This person is responsible for centres in the Torres Strait Islands and Northern Peninsula Area regions.

Executive General Manager – Southern sector
Email: tchhs-egm-south@health.qld.gov.au

This person is responsible for centres in the Cape York region, up to Mapoon in the north (before the Northern Peninsula Area).

Learn more about the hospitals and health centres in our region.

Step 3. Submit your application

  1. Complete the SSA form in Ethics Review Manager (ERM).
  2. Upload all your documents as shown in the research governance submission checklist [PDF 192.26 KB].
  3. Add your digital signature.
  4. Click on the submit button to make sure you lodge the application.

The Research Governance Officer will review your application. They may ask you to answer extra questions or give more details about your study.

Once complete, they’ll make a recommendation to the Chief Executive about your study and tell you the outcome.

Starting your project

You can start your research when you get a letter of authorisation from our Health Service Chief Executive, or delegate.

Fill in the SF11: commencement form [PDF 248.93 KB] and email it to torres-cape-research-governance@health.qld.gov.au.

During your research you must report on your study and send any changes for approval.

Learn more about reporting on projects.

Last updated: May 2025

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