This article is part of the Iris Ethics Knowledge Base; you can find a directory of all articles here.
We try to be upfront about both price and turnaround, so you can plan your project with confidence. This post sets out our current fees and the timeframes we commit to. For the most up-to-date information, our fees are always listed in the shop and our timeframes in our Service Charter.
Note: All fees shown are in Australian dollars and are GST-inclusive. Second, our review timeframes run from application confirmation, not from the moment you submit. Confirmation is the point at which we have verified your documents and payment (or invoice request) and guaranteed internally that we can review the application. Typically this is done within 1-2 hours of submission during business hours (Australian Eastern Time, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday), but may be longer if the application is submitted outside these hours.
| Service | Fee (GST incl.) | Review timeframe |
|---|---|---|
| Full Committee Review | $8,030 | Under 10 business days |
| Lower Risk Review | $3,325 | Under 5 business days |
| Expert Determination | $1,650 | Under 5 business days |
| Statement of Exemption from Review | $1,650 | Under 5 business days |
| Major Amendment | $2,420 | Under 10 business days |
| Minor Amendment | Included in original review fee | Under 10 business days |
A few notes:
- Timeframes are commitments, not averages. They are the maximum we hold ourselves to from confirmation, and many reviews complete sooner. However, by agreement we can extend these timeframes for you to be able to participate in the review process (e.g. to have sufficient time to prepare a response to review feedback). We’d rather make a decision in the fullest knowledge than meet an arbitrary timeframe.
- Amendment reviews run to under 10 business days from submission, and are typically treated as a priority for the committee. Minor amendments do not carry a separate fee, as they are covered by the cost of your original review.
- We move quickly at both ends. We aim to commence within 1 business day of confirmation (3 business days for international projects), and to notify you of a decision within 1 business day of the panel reaching it.
- Payment. You can pay upfront at the time of application using credit card, or request an invoice for payment. Review begins once payment, or an invoice arrangement, is confirmed. We can also work with your finance and procurement teams as needed to ensure that invoices meet their requirements (such as vendor setup, purchase order numbers, etc.)
- Quality is not traded for speed. Every review, whatever its turnaround, meets the requirements of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2025. Our ability to complete reviews at such a high speed comes from the way we have designed our processes to support efficient and high-quality decision-making, focusing on virtual and asynchronous committee discussions, and working collaboratively with clients to facilitate a shared understanding of projects.
These timeframes are commitments Iris Ethics holds itself to from confirmation, not averages; many reviews complete sooner. Where an applicant requests a deferral, for example to allow time to respond to a request from the committee for further information, the timeframe is extended to the deferral period plus 48 hours, to allow the committee to review and respond to any feedback provided within that time.
These timeframes apply to complete applications that have received application confirmation. Incomplete applications are returned to the applicant before confirmation.
Process overview
The ethics review process involves the following stages:
- Pre-submission: Review the Knowledge Base to determine the appropriate review pathway and prepare your application materials.
- Submission: Submit your application through the Iris Ethics platform, including all required supporting documents.
- Application confirmation: Iris Ethics staff check the application for completeness and confirm payment or invoice arrangements; incomplete applications are returned. .
- Substantive review: The application is reviewed by the appropriate reviewer(s) or Panel against the National Statement's requirements.
- Decision: The decision is communicated to the applicant in writing, with reasons provided where approval is not granted or modification is requested (NS 5.2.7).
- Post-approval obligations: Approved projects are subject to ongoing monitoring, progress reporting, and amendment requirements (NS Chapter 5.4).
If you are not sure which product your project needs, that question is worth resolving. Our guidance on review requirements, and our process flow chart, will help. If in doubt, contact us and we will point you to the right one.
See Preparing your application and Submission and review for detailed guidance on each stage.
Commencement and notification
Meetings commence within 1 business day of application confirmation (3 business days for projects involving activities outside Australia). Applicants are notified of a Panel decision within 1 business day of the decision being made. These are maximum commitments, not averages; many reviews complete sooner.
Deferrals
The timeframes above assume the applicant does not request a deferral of the decision date, for example to allow time to prepare a response to Panel feedback. Where a deferral is requested, the review is completed within the requested deferral period plus 48 hours, to give the Panel time to consider the response. Requesting more time to respond well is treated as a normal part of the process, not a departure from it.
Applications cannot be approved retrospectively
Where ethics review is required, approval must be obtained before research or evaluation activities commence; retrospective approval is not supported by the National Statement (NS 5.1.6). Build the timeframes above into your project planning so that data collection does not begin before approval is confirmed.
Related resources
This page was last updated on 10 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.