Regulation of research through research governance: within and beyond NSW Health.

Research governance takes a broad approach to the regulation of human research encompassing: (a) frameworks and systems over ad hoc policy making; (b) quality standards as well as regulatory requirements; and (c) definition of roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in research. The effective and consistent implementation of research governance plays a role in the promotion of quality research. NSW Health has recently issued several policies and procedures in relation to research governance. However, for regimes of research governance to achieve optimal effectiveness, they must be consistent with each other in both the public and private sectors and across Australian jurisdictions.