SHOAMP storage arrangements

What’s new?

• Some serum samples held in long-term storage were retrieved from the Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel (SHOAMP) collection and disposed of in July 2026.
• These samples belonged to 163 former study participants and constitute about 10% of the collection held in storage.
• A review of historical, consent-for-blood-storage information revealed that a clear record of consent for storage could not be established for these samples. This is not unusual for a collection of its age.
• Consequently, a decision was taken by the SHOAMP Serum Management Committee to dispose of these samples in the absence of a clear consent record.
• The Departments of Defence and Veterans’ Affairs Human Research Ethics Committee (DDVA HREC) was consulted on the ethical considerations associated with the disposal.
• At no time was personal information disclosed to anyone who should not have it or used for any purpose for which it was not intended.
• Former study participants may withdraw consent for their sample to be stored, or used in further research, at any time by contacting the Australian Institute of Family Studies.

Note: There is no impact on, or change to, SHOAMP Health Care Scheme entitlements. You can read more information about the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme.

What is SHOAMP?

• SHOAMP was commissioned by the Chief of Air Force in response to a Royal Australian Air Force Board of Inquiry in 2000.
• Researchers from the University of Newcastle examined aspects of the F-111 aircraft fuel-tank Deseal/Reseal programs in relation to health, chemical exposure, and work practices.
• Participants in the study were past and present serving members of the Royal Australian Air Force, and civilian workers, who carried out Deseal/Reseal aircraft-maintenance activities between 1975 and 1999. A comparison group, who had not worked on Deseal/Reseal, was also part of the study.
• Blood-serum samples were collected from participants on a voluntary basis in 2003 for long-term storage, so that if any relevant tests became available in future, further analysis could be carried out.
• In anticipation of these potential scientific developments in testing and analysis, the researchers advised participants that their serum samples would be stored for 50 years.
• The researchers reported their findings from the study in 2004.

Serum-sample storage arrangements

• De-identified serum samples are stored in bio-banking facilities at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.

Data-storage arrangements

• De-identified study data is stored with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

How participant information is stored

• To safeguard the privacy of participant information, the serum samples and the de-identified study data are stored with a unique Study ID number, but no personal, identifying information.
• For study participants who agreed for their personal information to be stored, that information is stored separately by the Australian Institute of Family Studies on a data-linkage key.
• The data-linkage key is a database of codes that contains the Study ID number and participant’s personal identifying information (e.g. name, date of birth), which allows a former participant’s de-identified sample and/or study data to be matched to them. 
• The data-linkage key is securely stored by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, on behalf of the Air Force Association.
• The data-linkage key, serum samples, and study data are stored separately from each other.
• Neither DVA nor the Department of Defence have access to any personal identifying information or Study ID numbers. This combination of information is only held on the data-linkage key by the Australian Institute of Family Studies who adhere to rigorous, privacy-preserving protocols. 
• Some study participants did not agree to their personal information being stored on the data-linkage key when they agreed to donate their sample for storage. Study participants who did not store any personal identifying information, and who want their sample disposed or not used for further research, will need to supply the Australian Institute of Family Studies with their Study ID number so their sample can be identified.

Withdrawing consent for further research

• Study participants, who agreed to have their serum sample stored, can withdraw consent for their sample to be stored or used in further research at any time.
• To withdraw consent, participants can contact the Australian Institute of Family Studies at shoamp-requests@aifs.gov.au, or complete the online form.
• This process is managed by the Australian Institute of Family Studies as they hold the data-linkage key that matches samples with former study participants.
• If a study participant wishes to withdraw consent, the Australian Institute of Family Studies will take their personal information, verify their identity and participation in the study, and find their Study ID number. AIFS will then update the study records to reflect the withdrawal and provide the updated information to QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. In accordance with the participant’s instructions, the affected sample will then either: (a) remain in the collection but be recorded as not available for further research; or (b) be retrieved from the collection and securely disposed.
• The unique Study ID number is the only way a sample can be re-identified and matched to an individual study participant.

Research ethics

• Human-research ethics committees review research proposals involving human participants to ensure they are ethically acceptable.
• DDVA HREC provides independent oversight and governance on the ethical protocols of Defence and veteran-related research.
• DDVA HREC was consulted on the ethical considerations associated with the disposal of the serum samples held in storage with unclear records of consent.

Counselling services

• SHOAMP Health Care Scheme Group 1 and Group 2 participants have access to general counselling provided by the Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling.
• Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling can be contacted in any state, on 1800 011 046.
• To arrange counselling, you should call the nearest Open Arms - Veterans & Families Counselling office.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does SHOAMP stand for?

Study of Health Outcomes in Aircraft Maintenance Personnel.

What is SHOAMP?

In response to a Royal Australian Air Force Board of Inquiry in 2000, the Chief of Air Force commissioned a research study into the health outcomes of aircraft-maintenance personnel who worked on F-111 fuel-tank repairs between 1975 and 1999. The fuel-tank repairs were known as the Deseal/Reseal program.

Who conducted the study?

Researchers at the University of Newcastle conducted the SHOAMP and published a final report in 2004.

Why were some samples disposed?

A review of historical, consent-for-blood-storage information revealed that a clear record of consent for storage could not be established for some samples. This is not unusual for a collection of its age. Consequently, a decision was taken to dispose of these samples in the absence of a clear consent record.

How are samples disposed?

Once retrieved from the collection by QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute staff, samples are securely transported and disposed offsite via incineration at a specialised, medical-waste facility.

Who approved the disposal?

The SHOAMP Serum Management Committee decided to dispose of the affected serum samples following a review that found clear records of consent could not be established for those samples. DDVA HREC was consulted on the ethical considerations associated with the disposal.

Are there any changes to the SHOAMP Health Care Scheme entitlements?

No.

Where are the serum samples stored?

If a study participant gave consent for serum samples to be collected and stored, they are with QIMR Berghofer, Medical Research Institute in Brisbane. (Not all study participants who gave serum samples for testing gave consent for storage, and not all study participants gave a serum sample.)

Where is de-identified study data stored?

If a study participant gave consent for study data to be collected and stored, it is with the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Not all study participants who provided study data gave consent for storage, and not all study participants provided study data.

How long are serum samples in storage for?

If a study participant gave consent for their serum samples to be stored, they are in storage for 50 years.

Can consent for serum samples to be used in further research be withdrawn?

Yes. Samples can be retained in the collection, but they will be recorded as ‘not for further research’.

Can consent for a serum sample to be kept in storage be withdrawn?

Yes. Study participants who consented to sample storage are not committed for the full 50 years if they have changed their mind.

How is consent withdrawn?

Contact the Australian Institute of Family Studies on shoamp-requests@aifs.gov.au or complete the online form. They will take the study participant’s personal information, verify their identity, and find their Study ID number. AIFS will then update the study records to reflect the withdrawal and provide the updated information to QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute. The samples will then either: (a) remain in the collection but be recorded as not available for further research; or (b) be retrieved from the collection and disposed of.

How can a stored sample be identified if consent was not given for personal information to also be stored?

If consent was not given for personal information to be stored at the time consent was given for the sample to be stored, the sample cannot be re-identified without the Study ID. The Australian Institute of Family Studies will need to know the Study ID number so that the storage provider can identify the sample. It cannot be identified without the Study ID number.

Where is the study participant’s personal information held?

If the study participant gave consent for their personal information to be stored, it is in secure storage with the Australian Institute of Family Studies on a database called a data-linkage key. Not all study participants gave consent for their personal information to be collected and stored.

What is the data-linkage key?

The data-linkage key is a database that holds personal identifying information, including name, date of birth, and the unique Study ID number. The information contained on the data-linkage key is the only way a serum sample and study data can be matched to a participant. This is because the serum sample and study data (if permission was given for either to be collected and stored) is labelled with the Study ID number, but not the personal information. Only the Australian Institute of Family Studies have access to the data-linkage key.

Does DVA or Defence have access to personal information?

No. DVA and the Department of Defence do not have access to any of the information, data, or samples given to researchers as part of the study and do not know the identity of anyone who chose to participate in the study.

More information about SHOAMP

• SHOAMP Serum Management Committee
• SHOAMP health-care scheme
• Claims for F-111 workers 
• Health care for F-111 workers and their families