This article is part of the Iris Ethics Knowledge Base; you can find a directory of all articles here.
What is an expert determination?
An expert determination is tailored advice from Iris Ethics on a specific ethical question, rather than a review of an entire project. It is one of the review pathways Iris Ethics offers alongside full committee review, lower risk review, and statements of exemption; see Types of ethical review for how these pathways relate to one another.
When expert determination suits your project
Expert determination is the right pathway when a defined ethical or methodological question needs an answer, rather than when a whole project needs approval. Typical uses include:
- Assessing a novel or unconventional methodology, for example an untested data collection technique or an emerging use of technology, against the requirements of the National Statement
- Resolving a specific ethical question about an engagement or recruitment approach, such as whether a particular consent model or community engagement strategy is appropriate for a defined population
- Obtaining advice on a discrete design element before committing project resources to a full application
Applicants who are confident about the overall design of their project but uncertain about one element are usually better served by an expert determination than by a full or lower risk review of the whole project.
What expert determination is not
Expert determination is not ethics approval. It does not review or approve a project as a whole, and it cannot be used in place of a full committee review or lower risk review where the project as a whole requires ethical approval. A project that proceeds solely on the strength of an expert determination, without the separate ethics approval it needs, is not ethically approved. Where a project's overall risk profile requires full committee review or lower risk review, applicants should apply for that pathway; an expert determination addresses only the specific question referred to Iris Ethics.
If you are not sure whether your project needs an expert determination, a full review, or both, contact Iris Ethics before applying so you are directed to the right service.
Timeframe and fee
Expert determination is delivered in under 5 business days from application confirmation, the same timeframe that applies to lower risk reviews and statements of exemption. As with other services, review begins once application confirmation has occurred; confirmation is typically completed within 1-2 hours of submission during business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Australian Eastern Time, Monday to Friday). The current fee for an expert determination is $1,650 (GST inclusive). Fees and timeframes are confirmed in the Timeframes and Fees page and the Service Charter.
Related resources
See Types of ethical review for how expert determination relates to full committee review, lower risk review, and statements of exemption, and Timeline, fees, and processes for Iris Ethics' service-wide performance standards.
This page was last updated on 16 September 2026.
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This article makes reference to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2025. It is intended as practical guidance and does not constitute legal advice.
AI Disclosure: Resources in this library were prepared using Large Language Models with input from Iris Ethics staff who guided the scope and design. Subsequent revisions and final versions were developed and approved by Iris Ethics staff.