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Research Training Framework

The Research Training Framework (RTF) sets out policy and support structure for research training, aligned with national standards and ethical requirements. It brings together key research policies, governance arrangements, ethics pathways, training requirements, and student support processes to ensure research is well supervised and compliant. In practice, it provides a clear framework for milestones, ethics review, training, and research progression across the higher degree research program.

National Policies, Statements Governance & Ethical Conduct

This section outlines the national standards, statements and ethical requirements that guide ECA’s research governance and conduct. It ensures that all research training, supervision and review processes align with Australian regulatory expectations, responsible research practices and ethical principles.

Research Governance

This section provides useful information about the research governance bodies. These bodies include Academic Board, Scholarship and Research Committee (SRC), Research Degree Committee (RDC) and Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC).

The Academic Board is the peak academic governance body, providing independent oversight of academic quality, integrity, and standards across all courses and teaching divisions. It sets and monitors academic policy, endorses major course changes, and advises the Board on academic matters to ensure compliance with national standards such as the HESF and AQF.

The Scholarship and Research Committee is responsible for fostering a research and scholarship culture, advising on research strategy, performance, and academic staff development in scholarship. It reviews and recommends internal research grants, monitors research outputs and impact, and reports to Academic Board on research quality and alignment with institutional priorities.

The Research Degree Committee oversees governance of higher degrees by research (HDR) as one of AB’s sub-committees, including admission, candidature progression, milestones, examination, and recommendations for award conferral. It provides Academic Board with specialist advice on research training quality, supervision arrangements, and compliance with HDR‑related standards and institutional policies.

The Research Ethics Review Committee provides independent ethical review of staff and student research to ensure that all projects meet national ethical standards and institutional policies before data collection begins. It monitors ongoing compliance, manages adverse event reporting, and advises Academic Board and management on research integrity, participant safety, and responsible conduct of research.

Research Policies and Procedures

This section brings together key research policies and procedures that guide the planning, conduct and oversight of research. It supports consistent governance, compliance, and responsible research practice across the institution. The following is the list of the policies and procedures:

Research and Scholarship documents, instruments and forms

This section provides the key research and scholarship documents, forms and instruments used to support the administration, monitoring and reporting of research activities. It includes the tools needed for ethics review, student progress, milestone assessments, funding support and other research-related processes.

Research Related Committees:

  • Scholarship and Research Committee (SRC)
  • Research Degree Committee (RDC)
  • Research Ethics Review Committee (RERC)

Scholarship and Research Register

HELI has established the Scholarship and Research Register as a standalone register, separate from the Professional Development Register, to record the scholarship and research activities of academic staff across ECA HE entities.

All research projects involving human participants or sensitive information must be reviewed by the Research Ethics Review Committee. The application forms include one form for full research ethics review, which applies to HELI’s Master of Research program. The application forms is available via the following link:

HELI Master of Research Ethics Application Form

This flow chart outlines the key stages of the Master of Research program from commencement to completion. It provides a clear visual guide to milestones, progression requirements and key decision points throughout the course. The chart helps students and supervisors understand the expected sequence of activities and academic checkpoints.

Flow chart for Master of Research Course progress.

These presentations provide formal opportunities for students to present the progress of their research at key stages of the Master of Research program. Milestone 1 is a 20-minute presentation, including a 5-minute question and answer session, and Milestone 2 is a 30-minute presentation, including a 10-minute question and answer session. Students are expected to clearly explain their research background, aims, methodology, feasibility and progress at milestone 1 and the results and conclusion of the research as well as readiness of the project to be examined aligned with the study period and HDR policy deadlines at milestone presentation 2. They should also demonstrate that they are developing their project in line with the expected timeline and academic requirements. The presentations help supervisors and panel members provide feedback and support students toward successful completion of the course.

Milestone Presentation 1 Feedback Form

Milestone Presentation 2 Feedback Form

Principal Supervisors of RES921 are required to submit a Quarterly Students’ Progress Report at the end of each trimester. This process helps identify disengaged students early and enables timely support for students who are not progressing according to their research plans.

Quarterly Progress Report for RES921: Master of Research Students

This section outlines the process for submitting, reviewing and examining HDR thesis completions. It supports the final stage of the Master of Research course by ensuring that thesis examination is managed in a consistent, transparent and academically rigorous way.

Notice of Intention to Submit Master of Research Thesis for Examination

Higher Degree by Research – Master of Research Thesis Examination Report Form

Completion of Epigeum’s Research Integrity course for MRes students and Supervising Doctoral Studies course for supervisors is mandatory. HELI provides these courses to support high-quality research training and strengthen research integrity and supervision practice.

Epigeum’s Online Course

Registration Instruction for EPIGEUM

This guide supports MRes students and supervisors in developing a focused, feasible and academically robust research topic. It provides a structured approach to refining the research question, clarifying the scope, and aligning the project with available time, resources and supervision. The guide helps ensure the proposed topic is suitable for a successful Master of Research project.

Refining Your Research Topic: A Guide for MRes Students & Supervisors

This section aims to standardise the format of theses in the Master of Research course and ensure compliance with national and institutional requirements. The guidelines include the Thesis Title Page, Thesis Layout Guideline, and Thesis Formatting Guideline.

Thesis Title Page

Thesis Layout Guideline

Thesis Formatting Guideline

This section outlines the support available to assist students with research-related expenses, including eligible grants, funding opportunities and reimbursement arrangements. It aims to encourage participation in research activities by helping cover approved costs associated with project development, data collection and dissemination. All applications and claims must be approved by Scholarship and Research Committee.

Student Research Activity Funding & Reimbursement Scheme

The Digital Tools & Systems section explains the key digital platforms and forms used to support research training for the Master of Research program. It includes online tools. In practice, this section helps students, supervisors, and staff manage research activities more efficiently in one structured system.