Research Ethics
Independent
Not-For-Profit

Bellberry is a Not-For-Profit organisation providing robust and timely Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) review services to support research. We help ensure that research involving people is conducted with integrity, transparency, and respect.

How to Apply eProtocol Login

12 NHMRC-certified HRECs

11,000 +

Studies reviewed nationwide

AAHRPP

Gold-seal accreditation

~21 days

Typical decision time

Our Purpose

Strengthening research through independence and integrity

Bellberry Limited is an independent, Not-For-Profit organisation that provides ethical and scientific review of human research. Through our network of certified Human Research Ethics Committees (HRECs), we work with researchers, sponsors, and institutions to ensure studies are conducted responsibly, transparently, and with the wellbeing of participants at their core. Our purpose is to strengthen the quality and efficiency of research while maintaining the highest standards of ethical conduct.

About Us

Our Services

Supporting ethical, efficient, and transparent research

Bellberry’s work extends beyond ethics review — we help advance the practice and understanding of ethical research in Australia and beyond. Our teams provide governance, monitoring, education, and strategic initiatives that empower researchers and protect participants.

Key areas include:

Ethics Review – Independent, NHMRC-certified review of human research.
Monitoring and Quality – Ongoing oversight and audits to ensure compliance.
Grant Activities – Programs that build national ethics capability and leadership.
Education and Resources – Reports, podcasts, videos, and training for the research community.

View All Services

How can we help you?

Bellberry supports every part of the research ecosystem — researchers conducting studies, participants contributing to science, and committee members safeguarding ethical practice.

Researchers

Get guidance on applications, submissions, and review processes.

Participants

Understand what research participation involves and your rights every step of the way.

HREC Members

Access resources, orientation materials, and committee information.

“Bellberry has committees meeting every week, and there is so much depth and breadth of knowledge on those committees… that’s unrivalled. You can’t get that anywhere else, where you know you’re going to get your study reviewed quickly. That is what sets Bellberry apart.”

Sophie Mepham

Group Executive Research Manager, Icon Cancer Care

“You put an application in, and you can guarantee that you’ll have cycle one comments back within 48 hours of the HREC meeting. That doesn’t seem like much, but for a sponsor, this is their baby going through.”

Jane Kelly

Chief Executive Officer, CMAX Clinical Research

“Trials and new treatments are becoming increasingly complex, but Bellberry is great at staying across those changes, so they have the right committee expertise to consider these studies. That helps our patients and doctors feel condent.”

Sonya McColl

National Research Manager – Oncology, Genesis Care Australia

“Everything we do is guided by our core purposes: protecting the welfare of research participants and improving the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of research.”

Kylie Sproston

Bellberry Chief Executive Officer

“It’s about honouring the dignity of human beings. We feel like we’re the ‘around the table’ voice for [medical research] participants.”

Sharonne Price

Bellberry’s longest-serving HREC Member (retired)

“It’s amazing that the work we’re doing is playing a major role in patient care. For some conditions, people would have received a fatal diagnosis maybe five years ago. Now we’ve got improved quality of life and even improved outcomes.”

Professor Andrew McLachlan AM

Bellberry HREC Chair & Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Pharmacy School, University of Sydney

“Bellberry has had an enormous impact on the Australian health sector landscape.”

Dr Michael James

Longest-serving Chair of a Bellberry HREC

“Bellberry was founded in 2004 to solve a short-term and immediate problem in clinical trials in South Australia. Today, the company is recognised as a vital part of Australia’s Human Research Ethics Committee ecosystem.”

Fraser Bell

Founding and Current Chair of Bellberry

“Bellberry’s review timelines are consistently reliable, which has allowed us to commence our Phase 1 studies without unnecessary delays. Their communication with our team has been clear and constructive throughout.”

Dr. Amanda Leigh

Clinical Research Director, Southern Biopharma

“The support provided before submission was particularly valuable. Having Bellberry’s secretariat review our documents ensured our application met the required standards and the committee review process was straightforward.”

Prof. James Whitfield

Principal Investigator, Horizon University Medical School

“For our hospital group, managing studies across multiple sites can be complex. Bellberry’s multi-centre review process reduced duplication and provided a single, consistent approval we could work with.”

Sarah Coleman

Research Governance Officer, MetroCare Hospitals Group