UQ Institutional Biosafety Committee
The UQ Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) consists of:
- the main committee, which meets 3 times a year
- a subcommittee (IBSC), which meets approximately every 6 weeks.
The subcommittee assesses all proposals for dealing with genetically modified material, hazardous biological material or potentially infectious microorganisms.
Both committees are made up of:
- experts from throughout UQ on the many areas of biological research undertaken by UQ staff and students
- biological safety advisors to ensure compliance with legislative and UQ requirements
- an independent member to ensure an unbiased approach.
If you work with biological material or in areas where work with biological material is being undertaken, you need to be aware of and abide by the relevant legislation, standards, procedures and guidelines that apply to you and the work you're performing. Read the Biosafety Policy for more information.
Subcommittee
Applications for approval
The subcommittee assesses all applications for dealing with genetically modified material, hazardous biological material and potentially infectious microorganisms.
Chief investigators must obtain appropriate approvals from the subcommittee before starting work.
To apply for approvals, follow the procedures for:
You must finalise your application 3 weeks before the next IBSC meeting date to guarantee it will be considered at that meeting.
Late submissions may be accepted at the IBSC Chair's discretion if there are extenuating circumstances.
Meeting dates and submission deadlines
| Meeting date | Submission deadline |
|---|---|
| 4/02/2025 | 14/01/2025 |
| 18/03/2025 | 25/02/2025 |
| 29/04/2025 | 8/04/2025 |
| 10/06/2025 | 20/05/2025 |
| 22/07/2025 | 1/07/2025 |
| 2/09/2025 | 12/08/2025 |
| 14/10/2025 | 23/09/2025 |
| 25/11/2025 | 04/11/2025 |
Main committee
The UQ Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC) is required to ensure compliance with legislation, regulations and standards, including:
- Queensland Work Health and Safety Act 2011
- biosecurity legislation and regulations administered by the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and Biosecurity Queensland
- legislation and regulations administered by the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR), including OGTR guidelines for accreditation of organisations
- AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories, part 3: Microbiological safety and containment. Access this standard by searching the Intertek Inform previously known as SAI Global database (UQ login required)
- the Security Sensitive Biological Agents (SSBA) Regulatory Scheme as part of National Health Security legislation
- Defence and Strategic Goods List (DSGL).
The UQ IBC also acts as liaison between UQ researchers and the:
- Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
- Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.
Meeting dates
- July 2025
- November 2025
Gatton Biosecurity Advisory Committee
The Gatton Biosecurity Advisory Committee specifically considers biosafety and biosecurity issues for the Gatton campus.
Gatton staff must still apply to the UQ Institutional Biosafety Subcommittee for approvals to work with genetically modified material and potentially hazardous biological material.