ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TREATMENT ACT 2008

Table of Provisions

PART 1--PRELIMINARY

• 1 Purposes  
• 2 Commencement  
• 3 Definitions  
• 4 Interpretation of references to procedures and treatment  
• 5 Guiding principles  
• 6 Act to bind the Crown  

PART 2--TREATMENT PROCEDURES

Division 1--General

• 7 Assisted reproductive treatment  
• 8 Artificial insemination  
• 9 Section 8 not applicable to self-insemination  

Division 2--General requirements for treatment procedures

• 10 Persons who may undergo treatment procedures  
• 11 Requirements as to consent  
• 13 Counselling  
• 15 Application for review  

Division 3--Requirements for donors

• 16 Donation of gametes or an embryo  
• 17 Requirements as to consent  
• 18 Counselling requirements  
• 19 Requirements as to the giving and receiving of information  

Division 4--Provisions about consent

• 20 Withdrawal of consent  
• 20A Consent to treatment procedure taken to be withdrawn on separation  
• 21 Lapsing of consent  
• 22 Record of consent, withdrawal of consent and notice of separation  
• 23 Transfer of documents  
• 24 Information about transfer of donated gametes or an embryo  

Division 5--Requirements for donor treatment procedures

• 25 Information and advice  

PART 3--OFFENCES RELATING TO USE AND STORAGEOF GAMETES AND EMBRYOS AND OTHER MATTERS

Division 1--Prohibited procedures

• 26 Procedures involving gametes produced by children  
• 27 Ban on certain procedures  
• 28 Ban on sex selection  
• 29 Ban on using donated gametes to produce more than 10 families  
• 30 Ban on destructive research on embryos created for treatment purposes  

Division 2--Storage

• 30A Meaning of responsible person  
• 31 Storing gametes  
• 31A Panel may approve longer or further storage period  
• 31B Time for removal of gametes from storage  
• 32 Prohibition on storing embryos except in particular circumstances  
• 33 Storing embryos for later transfer  
• 33A Patient Review Panel may approve longer or further storage of embryos  
• 34 Removal of embryos from storage  
• 34A Time for removal of embryos from storage  

Division 3--General offences in relation to gametes and embryos

• 35 Formation of embryos  
• 36 Moving donated gametes and embryos into and out of Victoria  
• 37 Exemption  

Division 4--Offence in relation to giving information

• 38 False or misleading information  

PART 4--SURROGACY

• 39 Certain surrogacy arrangements to require approval of Patient Review Panel  
• 40 Matters to be considered by Patient Review Panel in deciding application for approval of surrogacy arrangement  
• 41 Patient Review Panel may approve non-complying surrogacy arrangement in exceptional circumstances  
• 42 Application of general requirements for treatment to surrogacy arrangement  
• 43 Counselling and legal information  
• 44 Surrogacy costs  
• 44A Rights of surrogate mother in relation to pregnancy and birth  
• 45 Prohibition on certain publications  

PART 5--POSTHUMOUS USE OF GAMETES

• 46 Requirements for posthumous use of gametes or an embryo in treatment provided by a registered ART provider  
• 47 Approval by Patient Review Panel  
• 48 Counselling  

PART 6--REGISTERS AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION

Division 1--Registers kept by registered ART providers and doctors

• 49 Register to be kept by registered ART providers  
• 49A Register of pre-1988 donor treatment procedures to be kept by registered ART provider  
• 50 Register to be kept by doctor carrying out artificial insemination  
• 51 Information to be given to the Authority by registered ART providers  
• 52 Information to be given to Authority by doctors  
• 52AA Information to be given to the Registrar by the Authority  
• 52A Information to be given to Authority by registered ART provider—register of pre‑1988 donor treatment procedures  
• 52B Information may be given to Authority by persons other than registered ART providers—pre-1988 donor treatment procedures  
• 53 Authority to keep a Central Register  
• 54 Authority to correct Central Register on request  
• 54A Authority to correct or include information on Central Register without request  
• 55 Information recorded by registered ART providers that is to be given to donors  
• 55A Information recorded by doctors that is to be given to donors  

Division 3--Disclosure of information on Central Register

• 56 Application for information on Central Register  
• 56A Application relating to person born as a result of pre-1988 donor treatment procedure—access to public records  
• 56B Authority may request records—pre-1988 donor treatment procedures  
• 56C Offence to disclose that Authority has requested records—pre-1988 donor treatment procedures  
• 56D Authority may apply to Magistrates' Court for production order  
• 56E Hearing of application for production order  
• 56F Magistrates' Court may make production order  
• 56G Expiry of production order  
• 56H Failure to comply with production order  
• 56I Medical professional privilege, contravention of ethics not a reasonable excuse  
• 56J Authority may request additional information in order to identify pre-1998 donor  
• 56K Offence to disclose that Authority has requested additional information relating to donor or donor treatment procedures  
• 56L Authority may request genetic test results of suspected donor  
• 56M Authority may request genetic test results of relative of suspected donor  
• 56N Authority to be satisfied of relationship before disclosing information  
• 57 Disclosure of information that does not identify a person  
• 58 Disclosure of information to parent of person born as a result of donor treatment or donor  
• 59 Disclosure of information to persons born as a result of a donor treatment procedure  
• 60 Disclosure of information to persons descended from persons born as a result of donor treatment procedure  
• 60A Application for information on Central Register about donor siblings  
• 61 Requirement for counselling  
• 62 Notice to be given of intended disclosure  

Division 3A--Disclosure and contact preferences for pre-1998 donors

• 63 Disclosure of information if pre-1998 donor deceased or not located  
• 63A Information leading to location of donor  
• 63B Time limit for disclosure of identifying information about pre-1998 donors  
• 63C Contact preference for pre-1998 donors  
• 63D Duration of contact preferences lodged by pre-1998 donors  
• 63E Amendment of contact preferences lodged by pre‑1998 donors  
• 63F Withdrawal of contact preferences lodged by pre‑1998 donors  
• 63G Undertaking required from applicant for identifying information relating to pre-1998 donors  
• 63H Applications from children for information relating to pre‑1998 donors  

Division 3B--Contact preferences for persons born as a result of a donor treatment procedure

• 63I Contact preferences for persons born as a result of a donor treatment procedure—application for disclosure  
• 63J Form of contact preference  
• 63K Duration of contact preferences for person born as a result of donor treatment procedure  
• 63L Duration of contact preferences lodged by parent or guardian of person born as a result of donor treatment procedure  
• 63M Amendment of contact preferences lodged in relation to persons born as a result of a donor treatment procedure  
• 63N Withdrawal of contact preferences lodged in relation to persons born as a result of a donor treatment procedure  
• 63O Undertaking required from applicant for identifying information relating to person born as a result of a donor treatment procedure  

Division 4--General provisions

• 64 Information  
• 65 Disclosure of information to doctor  
• 66 Records of information disclosed  
• 66A Confidentiality of information on the Central Register  
• 66B Confidentiality of other information provided to the Authority under this Part  
• 66C Confidentiality of information on the Central Register disclosed by the Authority  
• 67 Consent  
• 67A Counselling under this Part  
• 67B Authorisation of organisations  
• 68 Exemption from Freedom of Information Act 1982  

PART 6A--ACCESS TO CERTAIN KINDS OF MEDICAL INFORMATION

• 68A Application of Part  
• 68B Registered ART provider may disclose medical information  
• 68C Disclosure of medical information  
• 68D Disclosure of information from Central Register to registered ART provider  
• 68E Registered ART provider not required to disclose medical information under this Part  

PART 7--VOLUNTARY REGISTER AND DONOR‑LINKING

Division 1--Voluntary Register

• 69 Application of Part  
• 70 Authority to keep Voluntary Register  
• 71 Information and matter to be entered in Voluntary Register  
• 72 Disclosure of information  
• 73 Requirement for counselling  
• 73A Counselling under this Part  

Division 2--Donor-linking

• 73B Who may use donor-linking services?  
• 73C Authority may provide donor-linking services  

PART 8--REGISTRATION AND DESIGNATED OFFICERS

Division 1--Registration as an ART provider

• 74 Registration as an ART provider  
• 75 Authority may impose conditions on registration  

Division 2--General provisions about registrations

• 76 Suspension of registration  
• 77 Immediate suspension of registration  
• 78 Offence of failing to notify authority if RTAC accreditation no longer held  
• 79 Notification to Minister  

Division 3--Designated officers

• 80 Designated officers for registered ART providers  

Division 4--List of registered ART providers

• 81 Authority to keep list  

PART 9--PATIENT REVIEW PANEL

Division 1--Constitution and procedures of Patient Review Panel

• 82 Establishment of Panel  
• 83 Constitution of Panel  
• 85 Functions of Panel  
• 86 Chairperson and deputy chairpersons  
• 87 Acting chairperson  
• 87A Other members  
• 88 Payment of members  
• 89 Notice of hearing  
• 90 Conduct of hearing  
• 91 Decision by Patient Review Panel  
• 92 Written reasons for decisions  
• 93 Effect of vacancy or defect  
• 94 Immunity  
• 95 Evidence  

Division 2--Review of Patient Review Panel's decisions

• 96 Reviewable decisions  
• 97 Who may apply for review  
• 98 When application must be made  

PART 10--VICTORIAN ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TREATMENT AUTHORITY

Division 1--Constitution of the Authority

• 99 Establishment of Authority  
• 100 Powers, functions, duties and consultation requirements  
• 100A Guidelines  
• 100B Directions  
• 101 Membership  
• 102 Terms of office  
• 103 Resignation and removal  
• 104 Chairperson and deputy chairperson  
• 105 Acting member  
• 106 Payment of members  
• 107 Procedure of Authority  
• 108 Effect of vacancy or defect  
• 109 Member's interests  
• 110 Immunity  
• 111 Engagement or employment of persons  
• 112 Delegation  
• 113 Committees  

Division 2--Reporting and financial provisions

• 114 Report to Minister  
• 115 Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority Fund  
• 116 Investment powers  

PART 11--GENERAL

• 117 No action if gametes used without knowing consent withdrawn or lapsed  
• 118 Identity cards  
• 119 Powers and duties of members of Authority to inspect documents  
• 120 Offence to obstruct or hinder  
• 121 Prohibition on destruction of or tampering with documents  
• 121A Records identifying donor treatment procedure participants to be kept  
• 122 Requirements if registered ART provider ceases to operate  
• 123 Indictable offences  

PART 12--REGULATIONS

• 124 Regulations  
• 125 Application etc of regulations  

PART 13--REPEAL, SAVINGS AND TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Division 1--Repeal

• 126 Repeal  

Division 2--Transitional provisions

• 127 Definitions  
• 128 References to repealed Act etc  
• 129 Consents  
• 130 Registers  
• 131 Licence holders  
• 132 Authority  
• 133 Applications  

Division 3--Savings provision

• 135 Continued operation of Infertility Treatment Regulations  

Division 4--Transitional provisions--Assisted Reproductive Treatment Amendment Act 2013

• 136 Definitions  
• 137 Validation of storage of certain gametes past expiry  
• 138 Validation of storage of certain embryos past expiry  
• 139 Continuation of the Patient Review Panel  

Division 5--Transitional provisions--Assisted Reproductive Treatment Further Amendment Act 2014

• 140 Initial provision of information on register of pre‑1988 donor treatment procedures  

Division 6--Transitional provisions--Assisted Reproductive Treatment Amendment Act 2016

• 141 Registrar must provide Authority with copy of Central Register  
• 142 Applications  
• 143 Lodgement of contact preferences  
• 144 Continuation of Central Register  
• 145 Continuation of Voluntary Register  

Division 7--Transitional provisions--Assisted Reproductive Treatment Amendment Act 2021

• 146 Definition  
• 147 Application of amendments to gametes or embryos donated before commencement  
• 148 Posthumous use of gametes or embryo  
• 149 Information to be given to donors by doctors  
ENDNOTES