Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018), National Health and Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council and Universities Australia

What is this about?

The Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2018), authored by the National Health and Medical Research Council, the Australian Research Council, and Universities Australia, is a national framework that defines principles and standards for research integrity in Australia while aligning with international norms. It is grounded in the values of honesty, accountability, professional courtesy, and stewardship of resources, linking these to reproducibility, credibility, and public trust in research. The Code sets out responsibilities for researchers, supervisors, institutions, funders, and journals, guiding good practice in planning, conducting, publishing, and reviewing research. It covers authorship, proper acknowledgement, conflict-of-interest management, transparency of methods and data, fair peer review, and responsible supervision. It also provides mechanisms to handle misconduct, ensuring due process, proportional sanctions, and learning opportunities. Education and training are embedded to promote integrity as a core skill, alongside guidance on emerging issues such as open science, data management, digital tools, and contemporary dissemination. By offering practical tools and clarifying expectations, the Code serves as both a benchmark for policy leads and a practical handbook for researchers and administrators, supporting transparency, reproducibility, and equitable access across Australia.

For whom is this important?

All stakeholders in research

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