All projects undertaken at the University of Canberra that involve the use of animals either for research, teaching or other experimental study in which animals are used must be approved by the Committee for Ethics in Animal Experimentation (CEAE).

An animal is defined as any vertebrate (other than a human being) and includes mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish.

The ACT Animal Welfare Act (1992) and the Code of Practice for the Care and use of Animals for Scientific Purposes stipulate that approval must be obtained from the institutional CEAE before animals are used for research or teaching. This legislation was introduced to protect the welfare of animals, by ensuring that their use in research and teaching is always humane, considerate, responsible and justified.

The Terms of Reference outlines the purpose and the role of the Committee for Ethics in Animal Experimentation.