FAQ: Access request review
When is access request review required? | Is access request review required for private facilities? | Who should submit the application for access request review? | Which application form should I complete? | How do I know who the Research Governance Officer is for this site?When is access request review required?
An access request review, instead of site specific assessment, should be completed for all human research projects that require support from a NSW Public Health Organisation in the form of access to participants, tissue or data but do not involve the conduct of research at that Public Health Organisation.
For example, access request review should be used if the project involves one or more of the following activities at the Public Health Organisation:
- Participant recruitment through posters, leaflets, handouts and letter of invitation but not recruitment through direct contact with potential participants or enrolment;
- Distribution of surveys and questionnaires through staff of the Public Health Organisation but not collation and analysis of responses at that Public Health Organisation; and
- Access to data or tissue held at the Public Health Organisation but not processing or analysis at that Public Health Organisation.
The Research Governance Officer has the discretion to request that the application is submitted for site specific assessment if they consider that the project involves the conduct of research at a site.
Is access request review required for private facilities?
The requirement for site authorisation following SSA or access request review applies to the NSW public health system only. It is entirely a matter for a private institution to determine the mechanism it will use for authorising the conduct of research within its facilities
Who should submit the application for access request review?
Application for access request review must be made by the Co-ordinating Investigator to the Research Governance Officer. The Co-ordinating Investigator is also responsible for obtaining written agreement from relevant staff of the facilities, locations and services that will provide the access required.
Which application form should I complete?
Only one access request per Research Governance Officer is required for each research project, even if the project requires access from a number of facilities, locations or services covered by that Research Governance Officer.
How do I know who the Research Governance Officer is for this site?
Contact details for Research Governance Officers and information on the facilities, locations and services covered by them are maintained on the NSW Ministry of Health website at: