{"id":"human-tissue-act-1982","name":"Human Tissue Act 1982","slug":"human-tissue-act-1982","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":174640,"registerId":"vic-human-tissue-act-1982-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Human Tissue Act 1982","content":"Version No. 047\n\n**Human Tissue Act 1982**\n\n**No. 9860 of 1982**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n1 July 2025\n\n**table of provisions**\n\n*Section Page*\n\nPart I—Preliminary 1\n\n1 Short title and commencement 1\n\n2 Repeal 1\n\n3 Definitions 2\n\n4 Designated officer 7\n\nPart II—Donations of tissue by living persons 8\n\nDivision 1—General 8\n\n5 Interpretation 8\n\n6 Blood donations 8\n\nDivision 2—Donations by adults 8\n\n7 Consent by adult donor to removal of regenerative tissue 8\n\n8 Consent by adult donor to removal of non-regenerative tissue 8\n\n9 Certificate of consent 9\n\n10 Effect of consent under section 7 9\n\n11 Effect of consent under section 8 9\n\n12 Written consent not sufficient authority in certain cases 10\n\nDivision 3—Donations from children 10\n\n13 References to parent not to include guardian etc. 10\n\n14 Prohibition against removal of tissue from children 10\n\n15 Removal of regenerative tissue from body of child 11\n\n16 Effect of consent under section 15(1) 12\n\n17 Written consent not sufficient authority in certain circumstances 12\n\nDivision 4—Revocation of consent or agreement 13\n\n18 Revocation of consent 13\n\n19 Child no longer in agreement 15\n\nPart III—Blood donations and blood transfusions 18\n\n20 Definition of blood transfusion 18\n\n20A Definition of *child* for the purposes of sections 21, 22 and 23 18\n\n21 Consent of adults to removal of blood 18\n\n22 Consents to removal of blood from children 18\n\n23 Consent sufficient authority of removal of blood 19\n\n24 Blood transfusions to children without consent 19\n\nPart IV—Donations of tissue after death 21\n\nDivision 1—Ante-mortem procedures for donations of tissue after death 21\n\n24A Ante-mortem procedures 21\n\n24B Authority to carry out ante-mortem procedures 21\n\n24C Medical treatment decision maker may consent to ante-mortem procedures 22\n\n24D Circumstances under which authority may be given 22\n\n24E Further conditions of an authority 23\n\n24F Effect of an authority 23\n\nDivision 2—Donations of tissue after death 24\n\n25 Effect of authority under section 26 24\n\n26 Authority to remove tissue after death 24\n\n26A How information may be given 29\n\n27 Consent by a coroner 30\n\nPart V—Post-mortem examinations 31\n\n28 Authority for post-mortem 31\n\n28A How information may be given 34\n\n29 Consent by coroner 34\n\n30 Effect of authority under this Part 35\n\n31 Conduct of examination 36\n\nPart VI—Donations for anatomical purposes 37\n\n32 Authority for anatomy 37\n\n32A How information may be given 40\n\n33 Consent by coroner 40\n\n34 Effect of authority under this Part 41\n\nPart VII—Schools of anatomy 42\n\n35 Schools of anatomy 42\n\n36 Inspectors of schools of anatomy 42\n\n37 Regulations relating to schools of anatomy 43\n\nPart VIII—Prohibition of trading in tissue 45\n\n38 Unauthorized selling of tissue prohibited 45\n\n39 Unauthorized buying of tissue prohibited 45\n\n39A Recovery of certain costs of tissue banks 46\n\n40 Advertising restrictions 47\n\nPart IX—Definition of death 48\n\n41 Definition of death 48\n\nPart X—Miscellaneous 49\n\n42 Act does not prevent specified removals of tissue etc. 49\n\n43 Exclusion of liability when acting in pursuance of consent or authority 50\n\n44 Offences 51\n\n45 Disclosure of information 52\n\n45A Validation 56\n\n46 Regulations 56\n\n47 Transitional 57\n\nEndnotes 59\n\n1 General information 59\n\n2 Table of Amendments 61\n\n3 Explanatory details 64\n\n**Version No.** **047**\n\n**Human Tissue Act 1982**\n\n**No. 9860 of 1982**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n1 July 2025\n\nAn Act to make provision for and in relation to the Removal of Human Tissue for Transplantation, for Post-mortem Examinations, for the Definition of Death, for the Registration of Schools of Anatomy, to repeal certain Acts and enactments and for other purposes.\n\n**BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly of Victoria in this present Parliament assembled and by the authority of the same as follows (that is to say):**\n\nPart I—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Short title and commencement\n\n(1) This Act may be cited as the **Human Tissue Act 1982**.\n\n(2) The several provisions of this Act shall come into operation on a day or on the respective days to be fixed by proclamation or successive proclamations of the Governor in Council published in the Government Gazette.\n\nS. 1(3) repealed by No. 27/1987 s. 3(a)\n\n* * * * *\n\n\t2 Repeal\n\nThe Acts and enactments mentioned in the Schedule to the extent thereby expressed to be repealed are hereby repealed accordingly.\n\n\t3 Definitions\n\n(1) In this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *ante-mortem procedure* inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 4.\n\n***ante-mortem procedure*** has the meaning given by section 24A;\n\n***child*** means a person who—\n\n(a) has not attained the age of 18 years; and\n\n(b) is not married;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *coroner* substituted by No. 10257 s. 85(a)(i), repealed by No. 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.1).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *designated officer* amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.1(a)).\n\n***designated officer*** in relation to a hospital means—\n\n(a) a registered medical practitioner for the time being appointed under section 4 to be a designated officer for that hospital; or\n\n(b) where, in relation to a hospital, there is no such person, the medical superintendent of the hospital or, while he is absent from or not on duty at the hospital, a person acting in his place;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *domestic partner* inserted by No. 27/2001 s. 6(Sch. 4 item 5.1(a)), substituted by No. 12/2008 s. 73(1)(Sch. 1 item 31.1).\n\n***domestic partner*** of a person  means—\n\n(a) a person who is in a registered relationship with the person; or\n\n(b) an adult person to whom the person is not married but with whom the person is in a relationship as a couple where one or each of them provides personal or financial commitment and support of a domestic nature for the material benefit of the other, irrespective of their genders and whether or not they are living under the same roof, but does not include a person who provides domestic support and personal care to the person—\n\n(i) for fee or reward; or\n\n(ii) on behalf of another person or an organisation (including a government or government agency, a body corporate or a charitable or benevolent organisation);\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *medical practitioner* repealed by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.1(b)).\n\n* * * * *\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *medical treatment decision maker* inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 4.\n\n***medical treatment decision maker*** has the same meaning as in the **Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016**;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *midwife* inserted by No. 13/2010 s. 51(Sch. item 31.2).\n\n***midwife*** means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law—\n\n(a) to practise in the nursing and midwifery profession as a midwife (other than as a student); and\n\n(b) in the register of midwives kept for that profession;\n\n***next of kin*** means—\n\n(a) in relation to a child—a person referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a) of the definition of ***senior available next of kin***; and\n\n(b) in relation to any other person—a person referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) of paragraph (b) of that definition;\n\n***non-regenerative tissue*** means tissue other than regenerative tissue;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *nurse* inserted by No. 13/2010 s. 51(Sch. item 31.2).\n\n***nurse*** means a person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the nursing and midwifery profession as a nurse (other than as a midwife or as a student);\n\n***regenerative tissue*** means tissue that, after injury or removal, is replaced in the body of a living person by natural processes;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *registered medical practitioner* inserted by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.1(c)), amended by No. 97/2005 s. 182(Sch. 4 item 28), substituted by No. 13/2010 s. 51(Sch. item 31.1).\n\n***registered medical practitioner*** means a person registered under  the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the medical profession (other than as a student);\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *senior available next of kin* amended by No. 27/2001 s. 6(Sch. 4 item 5.1(b)).\n\n***senior available next of kin*** means—\n\n(a) in relation to a deceased child—\n\n(i) where a parent of the child is available—a parent of the child;\n\n(ii) where a parent of the child is not available—a brother or sister of the child who has attained the age of eighteen years and who is available; or\n\n(iii) where no person referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) is available—a person who was the guardian of the child immediately before the death of the child and who is available; and\n\n(b) in relation to any other deceased person—\n\n(i) where the person, immediately before the person's death, had a spouse or domestic partner and that spouse or domestic partner is available—the spouse or domestic partner;\n\n(ii) where the person, immediately before the person's death, did not have a spouse or domestic partner or the spouse or domestic partner is not available—a son or daughter of the person who has attained the age of 18 years and who is available;\n\n(iii) where no person referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii) is available but a parent of the person is available—that parent; or\n\n(iv) where no person referred to in subparagraph (i), (ii) or (iii) is available—a brother or sister of the person who has attained the age of eighteen years and is available;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *spouse* inserted by No. 27/2001 s. 6(Sch. 4 item 5.1(a)).\n\n***spouse*** of a person means a person to whom the person is married;\n\nS. 3(1) def. of *State Coroner* inserted by No. 10257 s. 85(a)(ii), repealed by No. 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.1).\n\n* * * * *\n\n***tissue*** includes an organ, or part, of a human body or a substance extracted from, or from a part of, the human body.\n\n(2) A reference in this Act to the transplantation of tissue shall be read as including a reference to the transplantation of any part of the tissue and to the transplantation of a substance obtained from the tissue.\n\n(3) A reference in this Act to a person's brother or sister is a reference to a brother or a sister whether of the whole blood or the half-blood and includes a reference to a person who was adopted by one or both of the parents of the first-mentioned person.\n\nS. 3(4) inserted by No. 27/2001 s. 6(Sch. 4 item 5.2), substituted by No. 12/2008 s. 73(1)(Sch. 1 item 31.2).\n\n(4) For the  purposes of the definition of ***domestic partner*** in subsection  (1)—\n\n(a) ***registered relationship*** has the same meaning as in the **Relationships Act 2008**; and\n\n(b) in determining whether persons who are not in a registered relationship are domestic partners of each other, all the circumstances of their relationship are to be taken into account, including any one or more of the matters referred to in section 35(2) of the **Relationships Act 2008** as may be relevant in a particular case; and\n\n(c) a person is not a domestic partner of another person only because they are co-tenants.\n\n\t4 Designated officer\n\nS. 4(1) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.2).\n\n(1) The person, persons or body having the control and management of a hospital may, by instrument in writing, appoint such registered medical practitioners as the person, persons or body considers or consider necessary to be, for the purposes of this Act, designated officers for that hospital.\n\n(2) The power under this section to appoint a person as a designated officer includes the power, by instrument in writing, to remove a person so appointed.\n\nPart II—Donations of tissue by living persons\n\nDivision 1—General\n\n\t5 Interpretation\n\nIn this Part, a reference to tissue shall not be read as including a reference to foetal tissue, spermatozoa or ova.\n\n\t6 Blood donations\n\nNothing in this Part prevents the removal in accordance with Part III of blood from the body of a person.\n\nDivision 2—Donations by adults\n\n\t7 Consent by adult donor to removal of regenerative tissue\n\nA person, not being a child, may give his consent in writing to the removal from his body of specified regenerative tissue (other than blood)—\n\n(a) for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person; or\n\n(b) for use for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n\n\t8 Consent by adult donor to removal of non-regenerative tissue\n\n(1) A person, not being a child, may give his consent in writing to the removal from his body, at any time after the expiration of 24 hours from the time at which the consent is given, of specified non-regenerative tissue for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person.\n\n(2) A consent given under subsection (1) shall specify the time at which the consent is given.\n\nS. 9  \namended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.3).\n\n\t9 Certificate of consent\n\nA registered medical practitioner may certify in writing—\n\n(a) that the consent in writing of a person under section 7 or 8 was given in his presence;\n\n(b) that he explained to the person before the consent was given the nature and effect of the removal from the body of that person of the tissue specified in the consent; and\n\n(c) that he is satisfied—\n\n(i) that, at the time the consent was given, the person was not a child;\n\n(ii) that, at the time, the person was of sound mind; and\n\n(iii) that the consent was freely given.\n\nS. 10 amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.4).\n\n\t10 Effect of consent under section 7\n\nSubject to section 12, a document that purports to be a consent given in accordance with section 7 is, where a certificate has been given in accordance with section 9 in relation to that consent, sufficient authority for a registered medical practitioner, other than the registered medical practitioner who gave the certificate, to remove the regenerative tissue specified in the consent for the purpose or the use, as the case may be, specified in the consent.\n\nS. 11 amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.5).\n\n\t11 Effect of consent under section 8\n\nSubject to section 12, a document that purports to be a consent given in accordance with section 8 is, where a certificate has been given in accordance with section 9 in relation to that consent, sufficient authority for a registered medical practitioner, other than the registered medical practitioner who gave the certificate, to remove, at any time after the expiration of 24 hours from the time specified in the consent to be the time at which the consent was given, the non-regenerative tissue specified in the consent for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person.\n\nS. 12 amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.6).\n\n\t12 Written consent not sufficient authority in certain cases\n\nA document that purports to be a consent given in accordance with section 7 or 8 is not sufficient authority for a registered medical practitioner to remove tissue if—\n\n(a) the registered medical practitioner has been informed that the consent has been revoked; or\n\n(b) the registered medical practitioner knows or has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a certificate given for the purpose of section 9 in relation to the document contains a false statement.\n\nDivision 3—Donations from children\n\n\t13 References to parent not to include guardian etc.\n\nIn this Division, a reference to the parent of a child shall not be read as including a reference to the guardian of a child or to another person standing in loco parentis to the child.\n\n\t14 Prohibition against removal of tissue from children\n\n(1) It is not lawful to remove non-regenerative tissue from the body of a living child for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person.\n\n(2) Except as provided by this Part, it is not lawful to remove regenerative tissue from the body of a living child for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person.\n\n\t15 Removal of regenerative tissue from body of child\n\n(1) A parent of a child may give his consent in writing to the removal from the body of the child of specified regenerative tissue for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of a brother, a sister or a parent of the child.\n\nS. 15(2) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.7).\n\n(2) A registered medical practitioner may certify in writing—\n\n(a) that the consent in writing of a parent of a child was given in his presence; and\n\n(b) that he explained to the parent before the consent was given the nature and effect of the removal from the body of that child of the tissue specified in the consent and the nature of the transplantation of that tissue—\n\nand—\n\n(c) that—\n\n(i) he is satisfied that, at the time consent was given, the child was capable of understanding the nature and effect of the removal of the tissue and the nature of the transplantation;\n\n(ii) he explained those matters to the child;\n\n(iii) the child understood those matters; and\n\n(iv) the child was in agreement with the proposed removal and transplantation of tissue; or\n\n(d) where the consent relates to the removal of specified regenerative tissue for the purpose of transplantation of the tissue to the body of a brother or sister of the child—that he is satisfied—\n\n(i) that the brother or sister is likely to die unless the tissue is transplanted to the body of that brother or sister; and\n\n(ii) that, at the time the consent was given, the child, by reason of his age, was not capable of understanding the nature and effect of the removal of the tissue and the nature of the transplantation.\n\nS. 16 amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.8).\n\n\t16 Effect of consent under section 15(1)\n\nSubject to section 17, a document that purports to be a consent given in accordance with section 15(1) is, where a certificate has been given in accordance with section 15(2) in relation to that consent, sufficient authority for a registered medical practitioner, other than the registered medical practitioner who gave the certificate, to remove the regenerative tissue specified in the consent for the purpose specified in the consent.\n\nS. 17 amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.9).\n\n\t17 Written consent not sufficient authority in certain circumstances\n\nA document that purports to be a consent given in accordance with section 15(1) is not sufficient authority for a registered medical practitioner to remove tissue if—\n\nS. 17(a) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.9).\n\n(a) the registered medical practitioner has been informed that the consent has been revoked;\n\nS. 17(b) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.9).\n\n(b) the registered medical practitioner knows or has reasonable grounds for suspecting that a certificate given for the purpose of section 15(2) in relation to that document contains a false statement; or\n\nS. 17(c) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.9).\n\n(c) the registered medical practitioner has been informed that the child is no longer in agreement with the removal and transplantation of the tissue.\n\nDivision 4—Revocation of consent or agreement\n\n\t18 Revocation of consent\n\n(1) A reference in this section, in relation to a consent given for the purposes of this Act, to the donor shall be read—\n\n(a) in a case in which the consent is given in respect of a child—as a reference to the child; and\n\n(b) in any other case—as a reference to the person who gave the consent.\n\n(2) A person who gives a consent for the purposes of this Act may at any time thereafter revoke that consent by indicating, either orally or in writing—\n\n(a) where the donor, in relation to that consent, is a patient in a hospital—\n\n(i) to a designated officer for that hospital;\n\nS. 18(2)(a)(ii) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.10).\n\n(ii) to a registered medical practitioner who is attending the donor in a professional capacity; or\n\nS.18(2)(a)(iii) amended by No. 13/2010 s. 51(Sch. item 31.3).\n\n(iii) to a nurse or midwife employed at that hospital; and\n\nS. 18(2)(b) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.10).\n\n(b) where the donor is not a patient in a hospital—to a registered medical practitioner who is attending the donor in a professional capacity—\n\nthat the consent is revoked.\n\n(3) Where—\n\n(a) the donor is a patient in a hospital; and\n\n(b) the person who gave the consent for the purposes of this Act indicates to a person referred to in subparagraph (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) that the consent is revoked—\n\nthat person shall inform a designated officer for that hospital forthwith of the revocation of the consent.\n\nS. 18(4) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.10).\n\n(4) Where a person revokes his consent in accordance with subsection (2)—\n\n(a) if the donor is a patient in a hospital at the time of the revocation—the designated officer for the hospital to whom the revocation is communicated in accordance with subsection (2) or (3); or\n\nS. 18(4)(b) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.10).\n\n(b) if the donor is not a patient in a hospital at that time—the registered medical practitioner to whom the revocation is communicated—\n\nshall, if it appears to him, after making such inquiries (if any) as are reasonable in the circumstances, that a registered medical practitioner is proposing to rely on the consent in connexion with the removal of tissue from the body of the donor, inform that registered medical practitioner forthwith that the consent has been revoked.\n\nS. 18(5) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.10).\n\n(5) Where a consent is revoked, a person who has in his possession the instrument of consent shall, upon being informed by a designated officer for a hospital or by the registered medical practitioner to whom the revocation is communicated that the consent has been revoked, surrender—\n\n(a) that instrument; and\n\n(b) if a certificate given in accordance with section 9 or with section 15(2) is in his possession, being a certificate relating to the consent—that certificate—\n\nto the person who gave the consent.\n\n(6) A designated officer to whom a person indicates that his consent is revoked under paragraph (a) of subsection (2) or who is informed under subsection (3) of the revocation of a consent shall forthwith record the fact in writing and shall retain the record for three years.\n\nS. 18(7) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.10).\n\n(7) A registered medical practitioner to whom a person indicates that his consent is revoked under paragraph (b) of subsection (2) shall forthwith record the fact in writing and shall retain the record for three years.\n\n\t19 Child no longer in agreement\n\n(1) Where a medical practitioner has given a certificate in accordance with section 15(2) and the child in relation to whom the certificate has been given informs—\n\n(a) if the child is a patient in a hospital—\n\n(i) a designated officer for that hospital;\n\n(ii) a medical practitioner who is attending the child in a professional capacity; or\n\nS.19(1)(a)(iii) amended by No. 13/2010 s. 51(Sch. item 31.4).\n\n(iii) a nurse or midwife employed at that hospital; and\n\n(b) if the child is not a patient in a hospital—a medical practitioner who is attending the child in a professional capacity—\n\nthat he is no longer in agreement with the proposed removal and transplantation of tissue, the succeeding provisions of this section have effect.\n\n(2) Where—\n\n(a) the child is a patient in a hospital; and\n\n(b) the person whom he so informs is a person referred to in subparagraph (ii) or (iii) of paragraph (a) of subsection (1)—\n\nthat person shall inform a designated officer for that hospital forthwith that the child is no longer in agreement with the proposed removal and transplantation of tissue.\n\n(3) The designated officer for the hospital or, where the child is not a patient in a hospital, the medical practitioner who is attending the child in a professional capacity shall, if it appears to him, after making such inquiries (if any) as are reasonable in the circumstances, that a medical practitioner is proposing to remove the tissue from the body of the child, inform that medical practitioner forthwith that the child is no longer in agreement with the proposed removal and transplantation of tissue.\n\n(4) A person who is informed that the child is no longer in agreement with the proposed removal and transplantation of tissue shall, if he has in his possession the instrument of consent that relates to the removal and transplantation of the tissue, surrender—\n\n(a) that instrument; and\n\n(b) if the certificate given in accordance with section 15(2) is in his possession—that certificate—\n\nto the person who gave the consent.\n\n(5) A designated officer whom a child informs that he is no longer in agreement with the proposed removal and transplantation of tissue under paragraph (a) of subsection (1) or who is informed under subsection (2) that a child is no longer in agreement with the proposed removal and transplantation shall forthwith record the fact in writing and shall retain the record for three years.\n\n(6) A medical practitioner whom a child informs that he is no longer in agreement with the proposed removal and transplantation of tissue under paragraph (b) of subsection (1) shall forthwith record the fact in writing and shall retain the record for three years.\n\nPart III—Blood donations and blood transfusions\n\n\t20 Definition of blood transfusion\n\n(1) In this Part ***blood transfusion*** means the transfusion of human blood or any of the constituents of human blood to a person.\n\n(2) The operation of removing all or part of the blood of a person and replacing it with blood taken from another person shall, for the purposes of this Part, be deemed to be a blood transfusion.\n\nS. 20A inserted by No. 47/2009 s. 3.\n\n\t20A Definition of *child* for the purposes of sections 21, 22 and 23\n\nFor the purposes of sections 21, 22 and 23, ***child*** means a person who has not attained the age of 16 years.\n\n\t21 Consent of adults to removal of blood\n\nA person, not being a child, may consent to the removal of blood from his body—\n\n(a) for the purpose of a blood transfusion to another person; or\n\n(b) for the purpose of using the blood or any of its constituents for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n\n\t22 Consents to removal of blood from children\n\nA parent of a child may consent in writing to the removal of blood from the body of the child for a purpose referred to in section 21 if—\n\nS. 22(a) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.11).\n\n(a) the registered medical practitioner advises that the removal is not likely to be prejudicial to the health of the child; and\n\n(b) the child agrees to the removal.\n\n\t23 Consent sufficient authority of removal of blood\n\nA consent under this Part is sufficient authority for the removal of blood from the body of the person who has given the consent or from the body of the child of the person who has given the consent, as the case may be.\n\n\t24 Blood transfusions to children without consent\n\nS. 24(1) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.12).\n\n(1) Where the consent of a parent of a child or of a person having authority to consent to the administration of a blood transfusion to a child is refused or not obtained and a blood transfusion is administered to the child by a registered medical practitioner, the registered medical practitioner, or any person acting in aid of the registered medical practitioner and under his supervision in administering the transfusion shall not incur any criminal liability by reason only that the consent of a parent of the child or a person having authority to consent to the administration of the transfusion was refused or not obtained if—\n\nS. 24(1)(a) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.12).\n\n(a) in the opinion of the registered medical practitioner a blood transfusion was—\n\n(i) a reasonable and proper treatment for the condition from which the child was suffering; and\n\n(ii) that without a blood transfusion the child was likely to die; and\n\n(b) either—\n\nS. 24(1)(b)(i) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.12).\n\n(i) after in person examining the child, a second registered medical practitioner concurred in that opinion before the administration of the blood transfusion; or\n\nS. 24(1)(b)(ii) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.12).\n\n(ii) where the child is in a hospital the chief medical administrator or medical superintendent of the hospital, being satisfied that a second registered medical practitioner was not available to examine the child and that a blood transfusion was a reasonable and proper treatment for the condition from which the child was suffering and that without a blood transfusion the child was likely to die, consented (either orally or in writing) to the transfusion before it was administered.\n\nS. 24(2) substituted by No. 27/1987 s. 3(b).\n\n(2) Where a blood transfusion is administered to a child in accordance with this section—\n\n(a) the transfusion; and\n\n(b) the taking of any step, including the taking of any blood sample from the child, which is needed to enable the transfusion to be administered—\n\nare, for all purposes, deemed to have been administered or taken with the consent of a parent of the child or of a person having authority to consent to the administration of the transfusion.\n\nS. 24(3) substituted by No. 27/1987 s. 3(c), amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.12).\n\n(3) Nothing in this section relieves a registered medical practitioner from liability in respect of anything for which he or she would have been liable if—\n\n(a) a blood transfusion had been administered; or\n\n(b) a step needed to enable the transfusion to be administered had been taken—\n\nwith the consent of a parent of the child or a person having authority to consent to the administration of the transfusion.\n\nPart IV—Donations of tissue after death\n\nPt IV Div. 1 (Heading and ss 24A–24F) inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 5.\n\nDivision 1—Ante-mortem procedures for donations of tissue after death\n\nS. 24A inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 5.\n\n\t24A Ante-mortem procedures\n\nAn ***ante-mortem procedure*** is a medical procedure carried out to determine, maintain or improve the viability of tissue, including—\n\n(a) the administration of medication; and\n\n(b) the taking of blood for testing; and\n\n(c) medical imaging; and\n\n(d) the maintenance of life support.\n\nS. 24B inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 5.\n\n\t24B Authority to carry out ante-mortem procedures\n\n(1) Subject to this Division, the designated officer for a hospital may authorise the carrying out of ante-mortem procedures in respect of a person—\n\n(a) for the purposes of the transplantation of the tissue of that person after death to the body of a living person; or\n\n(b) for the use of the tissue of that person after death for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n\n(2) Before the designated officer for a hospital gives an authority under this section in respect of a person, the medical treatment decision maker of that person must consent to the carrying out of ante-mortem procedures in respect of that person under section 24C, unless the circumstances set out in section 24E apply.\n\nS. 24C inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 5.\n\n\t24C Medical treatment decision maker may consent to ante-mortem procedures\n\nThe medical treatment decision maker of a person may consent to the carrying out of ante-mortem procedures in respect of that person—\n\n(a) for the purposes of the transplantation of the tissue of that person after death to the body of a living person; or\n\n(b) for the use of the tissue of that person after death for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n\nS. 24D inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 5.\n\n\t24D Circumstances under which authority may be given\n\nA designated officer for a hospital must not give an authority under section 24B in respect of a person unless, where the respiration or the circulation of the blood of the person is being maintained by artificial means, two registered medical practitioners, neither of whom is the designated officer and each of whom has been for a period of not less than five years a registered medical practitioner, have each certified in writing—\n\n(a) that the practitioner has carried out a clinical examination of the person while the respiration or the circulation of the blood of that person was being maintained by artificial means; and\n\n(b) that, in the practitioner's opinion, at the time of examination, death of the person would occur as a result of the withdrawal of the artificial means of maintaining the respiration or the circulation of the blood of the person.\n\nS. 24E inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 5.\n\n\t24E Further conditions of an authority\n\nA designated officer for a hospital may give an authority under section 24B where the designated officer—\n\n(a) after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, is unable to ascertain the existence or whereabouts of the medical treatment decision maker of the person; and\n\n(b) has no reason to believe that the person had expressed an objection to the carrying out of ante-mortem procedures in respect of that person—\n\n(i) for the purposes of the transplantation of the tissue of that person after death to the body of a living person; or\n\n(ii) for the use of the tissue of that person after death for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n\nS. 24F inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 5.\n\n\t24F Effect of an authority\n\nAn authority under section 24B with the consent of a medical treatment decision maker under section 24C, or in the circumstances set out in section 24E, is sufficient authority for the carrying out of ante-mortem procedures in respect of the person for the purposes of the donation of tissue after death.\n\nPt IV Div. 2 (Heading) inserted by No. 42/2020 s. 5.\n\nDivision 2—Donations of tissue after death\n\nS. 25 substituted by No. 27/1987 s. 3(d).\n\n\t25 Effect of authority under section 26\n\nAn authority under section 26 is sufficient authority—\n\nS. 25(a) amended by No. 12/1998 s. 3(Sch. item 4.1).\n\n(a) for a registered medical practitioner other than—\n\nS. 25(a)(i) amended by No. 12/1998 s. 3(Sch. item 4.1).\n\n(i) a registered medical practitioner who gave the authority; or\n\nS. 25(a)(ii) amended by No. 12/1998 s. 3(Sch. item 4.1).\n\n(ii) a registered medical practitioner who gave a certificate under section 26(7) relating to that authority—\n\nto remove tissue from the body of a deceased person in accordance with section 26; and\n\nS. 25(b) substituted by No. 59/2006 s. 8.\n\n(b) for a prescribed person or a person belonging to a prescribed class of persons to remove tissue, or a prescribed class of tissue, from the body of a deceased person in accordance with—\n\n(i) an authorisation of a designated officer under section 26(1); or\n\n(ii) an authority given by section 26(2).\n\n**Note**\n\nSee section 47.\n\n\t26 Authority to remove tissue after death\n\n(1) A designated officer for a hospital may, subject to and in accordance with this section, authorize the removal of tissue from the body of a person who has died in the hospital or whose dead body has been brought into the hospital—\n\n(a) for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of a living person; or\n\n(b) for use of the tissue for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes—\n\nwhere—\n\n(c) the deceased person—\n\n(i) had, at any time, in writing; or\n\n(ii) had, during his last illness, orally in the presence of two witnesses—\n\nexpressed the wish for, or consented to, the removal after his death of tissue from his body for such a purpose or use;\n\n(d) subject to subsection (3), where the senior available next of kin of the deceased person makes it known to the designated officer that he consents to the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person for such a purpose or use; or\n\n(e) where the designated officer—\n\n(i) after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, is unable to ascertain the existence or the whereabouts of the next of kin of the deceased person; and\n\n(ii) has no reason to believe that the deceased person had expressed an objection to the removal after his death of tissue from his body for such a purpose or use.\n\nS. 26(2) amended by Nos 27/1987 s. 3(e), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(2) Where the body of a deceased person is in a place other than a hospital, a registered medical practitioner and a person with an authority given under section 25(b) are authorized, subject to and in accordance with this section, to remove tissue from the body of the deceased person—\n\n(a) for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of a living person; or\n\n(b) for use of the tissue for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes—\n\nwhere—\n\n(c) the deceased person—\n\n(i) had, at any time, in writing; or\n\n(ii) had, during his last illness, orally in the presence of two witnesses—\n\nexpressed the wish for, or consented to, the removal after his death of tissue from his body for such a purpose or use;\n\nS. 26(2)(d) amended by Nos 27/1987 s. 3(f), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(d) subject to subsection (3), where the senior available next of kin of the deceased person makes it known to the registered medical practitioner or authorized person that he consents to the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person for such a purpose or use; or\n\nS. 26(2)(e) amended by Nos 27/1987 s. 3(f), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(e) where the registered medical practitioner or authorized person—\n\n(i) after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, is unable to ascertain the existence or the whereabouts of the next of kin of the deceased person; and\n\n(ii) has no reason to believe that the deceased person had expressed an objection to the removal after his death of tissue from the body for such a purpose or use.\n\nS. 26(3) amended by Nos 27/1987 s. 3(g), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(3) A designated officer for a hospital shall not give an authority under paragraph (d) of subsection (1) and a registered medical practitioner or authorized person shall not remove tissue under paragraph (d) of subsection (2) if he has reason to believe that the deceased person—\n\n(a) had, during his lifetime, expressed in writing an objection to the removal of tissue from his body after his death; or\n\n(b) had, at any time during his last illness, expressed orally in the presence of two witnesses an objection to the removal of tissue from his body after his death.\n\nS. 26(4) amended by Nos 27/1987 s. 3(g), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(4) A designated officer for a hospital who gives an authority under paragraph (c) of subsection (1) for the removal of tissue from the body of a deceased person and a registered medical practitioner or authorized person who removes tissue under paragraph (c) of subsection (2) from the body of a deceased person shall forthwith advise the senior available next of kin of the deceased person that he has authorized the removal of, or removed tissue in accordance with the wish or consent of the deceased person.\n\nS. 26(5) amended by Nos 27/1987 s. 3(g), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(5) The senior available next of kin of a person may make it known to a designated officer for a hospital or a registered medical practitioner or authorized person at any time when the person is unconscious before death that he consents to the removal, after the death of the person, of tissue from the body of the person for the purpose or a use referred to in subsection (1), but the designated officer or registered medical practitioner or authorized person shall not act on such an indication if the person recovers consciousness.\n\n(6) Where there are two or more persons having a description referred to in a subparagraph of paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of ***senior available next of kin*** in section 3, the consent of any one of those persons has effect for the purposes of this section notwithstanding any indication to the contrary by the other or any other of those persons.\n\nS. 26(7) amended by Nos 27/1987 s. 3(h), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(7) A designated officer for a hospital shall not give an authority under subsection (1) in respect of a deceased person and a registered medical practitioner or authorized person shall not remove tissue under subsection (2) from the body of a deceased person unless—\n\nS. 26(7)(a) amended by Nos 27/1987 s. 3(i), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(a) where the respiration or the circulation of the blood of the deceased person is not being maintained by artificial means—a registered medical practitioner (not being the designated officer or the first-mentioned registered medical practitioner) has certified in writing—\n\n(i) that he carried out a clinical examination of the person; and\n\n(ii) that, in his opinion, the person has died within the meaning of section 41; or\n\nS. 26(7)(b) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13  \n(a)(b)).\n\n(b) where the respiration or the circulation of the blood of the deceased person is being maintained by artificial means—two registered medical practitioners, neither of whom is the designated officer or the first-mentioned registered medical practitioner and each of whom has been for a period of not less than five years a registered medical practitioner, have each certified in writing—\n\n(i) that he has carried out a clinical examination of the person while the respiration or the circulation of the blood of that person was being maintained by artificial means; and\n\n(ii) that, in his opinion, at the time of examination, irreversible cessation of all function of the brain of the person had already occurred.\n\n1. 100 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both.\n\n\nS. 26(8) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.13(a)).\n\n(8) For the purposes of subsection (7), any period during which a person who is a registered medical practitioner practised as a registered medical practitioner, however described, under the law in force in a place outside Victoria shall be taken into account in calculating the period of five years referred to in that subsection.\n\nS. 26A inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 9.\n\n\t26A How information may be given\n\nA reference in section 26—\n\n(a) to the senior available next of kin making his or her consent known to a designated officer or to a registered medical practitioner or authorised person; or\n\n(b) to a designated officer or a registered medical practitioner or authorised person—\n\n(i) making inquiries; or\n\n(ii) advising the senior available next of kin—\n\nmay be taken to be a reference to the designated officer, registered medical practitioner or authorised person being satisfied that the consent has been given, the inquiries have been made or the advice has been given, as the case may be.\n\n\t27 Consent by a coroner\n\nS. 27(1) amended by Nos 10257 s. 85(b), 27/1987 s. 3(j), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.14), 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.2).\n\n(1) If the designated officer for a hospital or, in a case to which section 26(2) applies, the registered medical practitioner or the authorized person has reason to believe that the circumstances applicable in relation to the death of a person are such that a coroner has jurisdiction under the **Coroners Act 2008** to investigate the death of the person, the designated officer or the registered medical practitioner or the authorized person, as the case may be, shall not authorize the removal of or remove tissue from the body of the deceased person unless a coroner has given his consent to the removal.\n\nS. 27(2) amended by Nos 10257 s. 85(c), 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.2).\n\n(2) Section 26(2) does not operate in a case in which a coroner has or may have jurisdiction under the **Coroners Act 2008** to investigate the death of a person unless a coroner has given his consent to the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person.\n\n(3) A coroner may give a direction either before or after the death of a person that his consent to the removal of tissue from the body of the person after the death of the person is not required and, in that event, subsection (1) does not apply to or in relation to the removal of tissue from the body of the person.\n\n(4) A consent or direction by a coroner under this section may be expressed to be subject to such conditions as are specified in the consent or the direction.\n\n(5) A consent or direction may be given orally by a coroner, and if so given, shall be confirmed in writing.\n\nPart V—Post-mortem examinations\n\n\t28 Authority for post-mortem\n\n(1) Subject to this Part, where the body of a deceased person is in a hospital and it appears to a designated officer for the hospital, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, that the deceased person—\n\n(a) had, at any time, in writing; or\n\n(b) had, during his last illness, orally in the presence of two witnesses—\n\nexpressed the wish for, or consented to, a post-mortem examination of his body, the designated officer may, by writing signed by him, authorize a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person.\n\nS. 28(2) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(2) Subject to this Part, where the body of a deceased person is in a place other than a hospital and it appears to a registered medical practitioner, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, that the deceased person—\n\n(a) had, at any time, in writing; or\n\n(b) had, during his last illness, orally in the presence of two witnesses—\n\nexpressed the wish for, or consented to, a post-mortem examination of his body, the registered medical practitioner is authorized to carry out a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person.\n\nS. 28(3) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(3) Subject to this Part—\n\n(a) where the body of a deceased person is in a hospital and it appears to a designated officer for the hospital; or\n\nS. 28(3)(b) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(b) where the body of a deceased person is in a place other than a hospital and it appears to a registered medical practitioner—\n\nafter making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, that—\n\nS. 28(3)(c) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(c) the designated officer is not authorized by subsection (1) to give an authority in respect of the body of the deceased person and the registered medical practitioner is not authorized by subsection (2) to carry out a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person; and\n\nS. 28(3)(d) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(d) the senior available next of kin of the deceased person makes it known to the designated officer or registered medical practitioner that he consents to a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person—\n\nthe designated officer may, by writing signed by him, authorize a post-mortem examination of the body or the registered medical practitioner is authorized to carry out a post-mortem examination of the body.\n\nS. 28(4) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(4) A designated officer for a hospital shall not give an authority under subsection (3) and a registered medical practitioner shall not carry out a post-mortem examination under subsection (3) if he has reason to believe that the deceased person—\n\n(a) had, at any time in writing; or\n\n(b) had, at any time during his last illness, orally in the presence of two witnesses—\n\nexpressed an objection to a post-mortem examination of his body.\n\nS. 28(5) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(5) Where a designated officer for a hospital or a registered medical practitioner, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, is unable to ascertain the existence or whereabouts of the next of kin of the deceased person, subsection (3) applies as if paragraph (d) of that subsection were omitted.\n\nS. 28(6) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(6) The senior available next of kin of a person, if he has no reason to believe that the person had expressed an objection to a post-mortem examination of his body, may make it known to a designated officer of a hospital or to a registered medical practitioner at any time before the death of the person that he consents to a post-mortem examination of the body of the person.\n\nS. 28(7) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.15).\n\n(7) A designated officer for a hospital who gives an authority under subsection (1) for a post-mortem examination of the body of a deceased person and a registered medical practitioner who carries out a post-mortem examination under subsection (2) of the body of a deceased person shall forthwith advise the senior available next of kin of the deceased person that he has authorized or carried out the post-mortem examination in accordance with the wish or consent of the deceased person.\n\n(8) Where there are two or more persons having a description referred to in a subparagraph of paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of ***senior available next of kin*** in section 3, the consent of any one of those persons has effect for the purposes of this section notwithstanding any indication to the contrary by the other or any other of those persons.\n\nS. 28A inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 10.\n\n\t28A How information may be given\n\nA reference in section 28—\n\n(a) to a designated officer of a hospital or a registered medical practitioner making inquiries or advising the senior available next of kin; or\n\n(b) to the senior available next of kin making his or her consent known to a designated officer or registered medical practitioner—\n\nmay be taken to be a reference to the designated officer or registered medical practitioner being satisfied that the inquiries have been made, the advice has been given or the consent has been given, as the case may be.\n\n\t29 Consent by coroner\n\nS. 29(1) substituted by No. 10257 s. 85(d), amended by No. 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.3).\n\n(1) This section applies to a deceased person whose death a coroner has jurisdiction to investigate under the **Coroners Act 2008**.\n\n(2) A designated officer for a hospital or a senior available next of kin, shall not authorize a post-mortem examination of the body of a deceased person to whom this section applies unless a coroner has given his consent to the examination.\n\n(3) Section 28(1), (2) and (3) do not apply in relation to a deceased person to whom this section applies unless a coroner has given his consent to a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person.\n\n(4) A coroner may give a direction, either before or after the death of a person to whom this section applies, that his consent to a post-mortem examination of the body of the person is not required and, in that event subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to or in relation to a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person.\n\n(5) A consent or direction by a coroner under this section may be expressed to be subject to such conditions as are specified in the consent or direction.\n\n(6) A consent or direction may be given orally by a coroner and, if so given, shall be confirmed in writing within seven days after it is given.\n\n\t30 Effect of authority under this Part\n\nS. 30(1) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.16).\n\n(1) An authority under this Part is sufficient authority for a registered medical practitioner (other than, in a case to which section 29 applies, the designated officer for the hospital)—\n\n(a) to conduct an examination of the body of the deceased person; and\n\n(b) to remove tissue from the body of the deceased person.\n\nS. 30(1A) inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 11.\n\n(1A) A mortuary technician, forensic technician or scientist, under the general supervision of the registered medical practitioner who is responsible for the conduct of the post-mortem examination, may remove or assist in the removal of tissue under subsection (1)(b).\n\n(2) An authority under this Part is authority for the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from the body of the deceased person for the purpose of the post-mortem examination.\n\nS. 30(3) amended by Nos 10257 s. 85(e), 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.4).\n\n(3) Authority under the **Coroners Act 2008** to remove tissue is, subject to any order to the contrary by a coroner, authority for the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from the body of the deceased person for the purpose of the post-mortem examination.\n\n\t31 Conduct of examination\n\nWhere a person carries out an anatomical examination, he shall ensure that the examination is carried out, and the body handled, in a proper and decent manner.\n\nPart VI—Donations for anatomical purposes\n\n\t32 Authority for anatomy\n\n(1) Subject to this Part, where the body of a deceased person is in a hospital and it appears to a designated officer for the hospital, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, that the deceased person—\n\n(a) had, at any time, in writing; or\n\n(b) had, during his last illness, orally in the presence of two witnesses—\n\nexpressed the wish for, or consented to, the retention after his death of his body—\n\n(c) for the purpose of anatomical examination; or\n\n(d) for the purpose of the use of his body for the study and teaching of the anatomy of the human body—\n\nthe designated officer may, by instrument in writing, authorize the retention and use of the body of the deceased person for any of those purposes.\n\nS. 32(2) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.17).\n\n(2) Subject to this Part, where the body of a deceased person is in a place other than a hospital and it appears to a registered medical practitioner, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, that the deceased person—\n\n(a) had, at any time in writing; or\n\n(b) had, during his last illness, orally in the presence of two witnesses—\n\nexpressed the wish for, or consented to, the retention after his death of his body—\n\n(c) for the purpose of anatomical examination; or\n\n(d) for the purpose of the use of his body for the study and teaching of the anatomy of the human body—\n\nthe registered medical practitioner may, by instrument in writing, authorize the retention and use of the body of the deceased person for any of those purposes.\n\nS. 32(3) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.17).\n\n(3) Subject to this Part—\n\n(a) where the body of a deceased person is in a hospital and it appears to the designated officer for the hospital; or\n\nS. 32(3)(b) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.17).\n\n(b) where the body of a deceased person is in any other place and it appears to a registered medical practitioner—\n\nafter making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances that—\n\nS. 32(3)(c) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.17).\n\n(c) the designated officer or registered medical practitioner is not authorized by subsection (1) or (2) to give an authority in respect of the body of the deceased person; and\n\n(d) the senior available next of kin of the deceased person makes it known to the designated officer that he consents to the retention and use of the body of the deceased person for any of those purposes—\n\nthe designated officer or registered medical practitioner may, by writing signed by him, authorize the retention and use of the body of the deceased person for any of the purposes referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1).\n\nS. 32(4) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.17).\n\n(4) A designated officer for a hospital or a registered medical practitioner shall not give an authority under subsection (3) if he has reason to believe that the deceased person—\n\n(a) had, at any time, in writing; or\n\n(b) had, during his last illness, orally in the presence of two witnesses—\n\nexpressed an objection to the retention and use of his body for any of the purposes referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1).\n\nS. 32(5) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.17).\n\n(5) Where a designated officer for a hospital or a registered medical practitioner, after making such enquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances is unable to ascertain the existence or whereabouts of the next of kin of the deceased person subsection (3) applies as if paragraph (d) of that subsection were omitted.\n\nS. 32(6) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.17).\n\n(6) The senior available next of kin of a person may make it known to a designated officer for a hospital or a registered medical practitioner at any time when the person is unconscious before death that he consents to the retention after the death of the person of the body of the person for any of the purposes referred to in paragraphs (c) and (d) of subsection (1), but the designated officer or registered medical practitioner shall not act on such an indication if the person recovers consciousness.\n\nS. 32(7) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.17).\n\n(7) A designated officer for a hospital or a registered medical practitioner who gives an authority under subsection (1) or (2) for the retention and use of the body of a deceased person shall forthwith advise the senior available next of kin of the deceased person that he has authorized the retention and use of the body of the deceased person in accordance with the wish or consent of the deceased person.\n\n(8) Where there are two or more persons having a description referred to in a subparagraph of paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of ***senior available next of kin*** in section 3, the consent of any of those persons has effect for the purposes of this section notwithstanding any indication to the contrary by the other or any other of those persons.\n\nS. 32A inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 12.\n\n\t32A How information may be given\n\nA reference in section 32—\n\n(a) to a designated officer of a hospital or a registered medical practitioner making inquiries or advising the senior available next of kin; or\n\n(b) to the senior available next of kin making his or her consent known to a designated officer or registered medical practitioner—\n\nmay be taken to be a reference to the designated officer or registered medical practitioner being satisfied that the inquiries have been made, the advice has been given or the consent has been given, as the case may be.\n\n\t33 Consent by coroner\n\nS. 33(1) amended by Nos 10257 s. 85(f), 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.18), 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.5).\n\n(1) If the designated officer for a hospital or, in a case to which section 32(2) applies, the registered medical practitioner, has reason to believe that the circumstances applicable in relation to the death of a person are such that a coroner has jurisdiction under the **Coroners Act 2008** to investigate the death of the person the designated officer or the registered medical practitioner, as the case may be, shall not authorize the retention of the body of the deceased person for any of the purposes referred to in paragraph (c) or (d) of section 32(1) unless a coroner has given his consent to the retention of the body of the person.\n\n(2) A coroner may give a direction either before or after the death of a person that his consent to the retention of the body of the person after the death of the person is not required and, in that event, subsection (1) does not apply to or in relation to the retention of the body of the person.\n\n(3) A consent or direction by a coroner under this section may be expressed to be subject to such conditions as are specified in the consent or the direction.\n\n(4) A consent or direction may be given orally by a coroner, and if so given shall be confirmed in writing.\n\n\t34 Effect of authority under this Part\n\n(1) An authority under this Part is sufficient authority for the removal of the body of the deceased person to a school of anatomy for its acceptance by the school of anatomy and for its retention and use, subject to the regulations (if any) made for the purposes of section 37, by the school of anatomy for a purpose referred to in paragraph (c) or (d) of section 32(1).\n\n(2) In subsection (1) ***school of anatomy*** means—\n\n(a) a school of anatomy the conduct of which is authorized under this Act;\n\n(b) a place that is, by virtue of section 35(4), to be deemed to be a school of anatomy for the purposes of this Act and the regulations; or\n\n(c) a school of anatomy established or licensed under a law of the Commonwealth, of another State or of a Territory.\n\nPart VII—Schools of anatomy\n\n\t35 Schools of anatomy\n\n(1) In this section, ***prescribed institution*** means an institution specified in the regulations as a prescribed institution for the purposes of this Part.\n\n(2) The Minister may, by notice published in the Government Gazette, authorize the conduct within a prescribed institution of a school of anatomy for the teaching and study of anatomy and for the carrying on of the practice of anatomy.\n\n(3) A notice under subsection (2) may specify that the school of anatomy, the conduct of which is so authorized, shall be concerned only with the teaching and study of the anatomy of such part of the human body as is specified in the notice.\n\n(4) The Minister may, by notice published in the Government Gazette, authorize the carrying out of anatomical examinations and the teaching and study of the anatomy of the whole or a specified part of the human body at a place, not being a place within a prescribed institution, specified in the notice.\n\n(5) A place specified in an authority under subsection (4) that has not been revoked shall be deemed for the purposes of this Act and the regulations to be a school of anatomy.\n\n(6) The Minister may by notice published in the Government Gazette, revoke an authority given under subsection (4).\n\n\t36 Inspectors of schools of anatomy\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may by notice published in the Government Gazette appoint inspectors of schools of anatomy.\n\n(2) The Governor in Council may by notice published in the Government Gazette revoke the appointment of an inspector.\n\n(3) The Governor in Council may from time to time determine the schools of anatomy that an inspector shall superintend.\n\n(4) An inspector may at any time inspect any school of anatomy that in accordance with subsection (3) he superintends.\n\n(5) A person who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, was an inspector appointed under section 28 of the **Medical Act 1958** is an inspector of schools of anatomy and, for the purposes of this Act, shall be deemed to have been appointed under this Act.\n\n\t37 Regulations relating to schools of anatomy\n\n(1) The regulations may make provision for and in relation to—\n\n(a) the period after death within which, and the manner in which, bodies may be transported to a school of anatomy;\n\n(b) the conditions subject to which anatomical examinations and the teaching and study of anatomy and the practice of anatomy may be carried out;\n\n(c) the furnishing of returns and other information by the person in charge of a school of anatomy;\n\n(d) the precautions to be taken in regard to the receipt and custody of bodies;\n\n(e) the inspection of schools of anatomy;\n\n(f) the regulation and control of schools of anatomy; and\n\n(g) the disposal of bodies or any parts of bodies.\n\n(2) A person shall not contravene or fail to comply with a provision of the regulations made for the purposes of subsection (1) that is applicable to him.\n\n1. 10 penalty units.\n\n\nPart VIII—Prohibition of trading in tissue\n\n\t38 Unauthorized selling of tissue prohibited\n\n(1) Subject to this section, a person shall not sell, or agree to sell, tissue (including his own tissue) or the right to take tissue from his body.\n\n1. 50 penalty units.\n\n\n(2) Nothing in subsection (1) applies to a sale, or an agreement to sell, to a person who is, or is reasonably believed by the vendor to be, acting subject to, and in accordance with, a permit granted under section 39(2).\n\nS. 38(3) inserted by No. 63/1995 s. 168(1), amended by Nos 11/2003 s. 25(1), 72/2008 s. 27.\n\n(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to the receiving of reasonable expenses of a kind referred to in section 17 of the **Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2008**.\n\n\t39 Unauthorized buying of tissue prohibited\n\n(1) Subject to this section, a person shall not buy, agree to buy, offer to buy, hold himself out as being willing to buy, or inquire whether a person is willing to sell to the person or another person—\n\n(a) tissue; or\n\n(b) the right to take tissue from the body of another person.\n\n1. 100 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both.\n\n\nS. 39(1A) inserted by No. 63/1995 s. 168(2), amended by Nos 12/1998 s. 3(Sch. item 4.2), 11/2003 s. 25(1), 72/2008 s. 27.\n\n(1A) Subsection (1) does not apply to the giving of reasonable expenses of a kind referred to in section 17 of the **Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2008**.\n\nS. 39(2) amended by No. 10163 s. 33.\n\n(2) Where he considers it desirable by reason of special circumstances so to do, the Minister may, by a permit in writing, authorize a person, subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified in the permit, to buy tissue (other than spermatozoa or ova) or the right to take tissue (other than spermatozoa or ova) from the body of another person.\n\n(3) Nothing in subsection (1) applies to anything done under and in accordance with a permit granted under subsection (2).\n\n(4) The Minister may at any time, by notice in writing given to a person to whom a permit has been granted under this section, cancel the permit.\n\n(5) Where a permit has been granted under subsection (2) subject to any conditions or restrictions specified in the permit, a person shall not act on the authority of the permit unless the conditions or restrictions, as the case may be, are or have been complied with.\n\n(6) A person who contravenes subsection (5) is guilty of an offence and liable to a penalty not exceeding 50 penalty units or imprisonment for three months, or both.\n\nS. 39A inserted by No. 67/2003 s. 6.\n\n\t39A Recovery of certain costs of tissue banks\n\n(1) A person who owns or controls a tissue bank prescribed by the regulations may charge an amount to recover the reasonable costs associated with the removal, evaluation, storage, processing at the tissue bank and distribution from the tissue bank of tissue removed in accordance with this Act.\n\n(2) Section 38(1) does not apply to a person who only charges an amount in accordance with subsection (1).\n\n(3) Section 39(1) does not apply to a person who only pays an amount charged in accordance with subsection (1).\n\nS. 40 amended by Nos 63/1995 s. 168(3), 58/2014 s. 25 (ILA s. 39B(1)).\n\n\t40 Advertising restrictions\n\n(1) A person shall not—\n\n(a) publish or disseminate by newspaper, other periodical, book, broadcasting, television, cinematograph or other means whatever;\n\n(b) exhibit to public view in a house, shop or place; or\n\n(c) deposit in the area, yard, garden or enclosure of a house, shop or place—\n\nan advertisement relating to the selling or buying of tissue or the donation of tissue or of the right to take tissue from the bodies of persons unless the proposed advertisement has been approved by the Minister and contains a statement to that effect.\n\n1. 50 penalty units or imprisonment for three months, or both.\n\n\nS. 40(2) inserted by No. 58/2014 s. 25, repealed by No. 39/2024 s. 84.\n\n* * * * *\n\nPart IX—Definition of death\n\n\t41 Definition of death\n\nFor the purposes of the law of Victoria, a person has died when there has occurred—\n\n(a) irreversible cessation of circulation of blood in the body of the person; or\n\n(b) irreversible cessation of all function of the brain of the person.\n\nPart X—Miscellaneous\n\n\t42 Act does not prevent specified removals of tissue etc.\n\n(1) Nothing in this Act applies to or in relation to—\n\nS. 42(1)(a) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.19), substituted by No. 59/2006 s. 13(1).\n\n(a) the removal of tissue, whether regenerative or non-regenerative, from the body of a living person—\n\n(i) in the course of medical treatment or dental care or a procedure carried out, in the interests of the health of the person, by a registered medical practitioner or, in the case of dental care, by a registered dentist with the consent, express or implied, given by or on behalf of the person; or\n\n(ii) in circumstances necessary for the preservation of the life of the person;\n\nS. 42(1)(ab) inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 13(1).\n\n(ab) the removal of blood or other regenerative tissue from the body of a living person in the course of medical treatment or a procedure (including the testing of blood to determine whether the person has, or may have in the future, a disease or medical condition) carried out, in the interests of the health of the person, by a health service provider with the consent, express or implied, given by or on behalf of the person;\n\n(b) the use or disposal of the tissue so removed;\n\n(c) the embalming of the body of a deceased person; or\n\n(d) the preparation, including the restoration of any disfigurement or mutilation, of the body of a deceased person for the purpose of interment or cremation.\n\nS. 42(2) amended by No. 59/2006 s. 13(2).\n\n(2) In paragraph (a), (ab) and (b) of subsection (1) a reference to tissue does not include a reference to foetal tissue, spermatozoa or ova.\n\nS. 42(3) inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 13(3).\n\n(3) In this section—\n\n***health service provider*** has the same meaning as in the **Health Records Act 2001** and includes—\n\n(a) a person who is employed or engaged by, or who performs work for, a health service provider in the performance of that service;\n\n(b) a provider that provides a service prescribed as a health service for the purposes of this section;\n\nS. 42(3) def. of *registered dentist* substituted by Nos 59/2006 s. 13(4), 13/2010 s. 51(Sch. item 31.5).\n\n***registered dentist*** means a person registered under  the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law—\n\n(a) to practise in the dental profession as a dentist (other than as a student); and\n\n(b) in the dentists division of that profession.\n\n\t43 Exclusion of liability when acting in pursuance of consent or authority\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (2), where—\n\n(a) a person carries out a procedure; and\n\n(b) a consent or authority given under this Act is sufficient authority under this Act for that person to carry out that procedure—\n\nthat person is not liable to any other person in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by that first-mentioned person in the carrying out of that procedure.\n\n(2) Nothing in this section relieves a person from liability for negligence in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by him in the carrying out of a procedure.\n\n\t44 Offences\n\n(1) A person shall not remove tissue from the body of a person whether living or dead except in accordance with a consent or authority that is, under this Act, sufficient authority for the removal of the tissue by that person.\n\n1. 100 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both.\n\n\n(2) A person shall not conduct a post-mortem examination of the body of a deceased person except in accordance with an authority that is, under this Act, sufficient authority for the person to conduct the post-mortem examination.\n\n1. 100 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both.\n\n\n(3) A person shall not—\n\n(a) remove the body of a deceased person to a school of anatomy; or\n\n(b) use the body of a deceased person for a purpose specified in section 32(1)—\n\nexcept in accordance with an authority that is, under Part VI, sufficient authority for such removal or use of the body for that purpose.\n\n1. 100 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both.\n\n\n(4) A person shall not—\n\nS. 44(4)(a) amended by No. 59/2006 s. 14.\n\n(a) give an authority under this Act without having made the inquiries that he is required by this Act to make or having been satisfied that those inquiries have been made;\n\nS. 44(4)(b) amended by No. 59/2006 s. 14.\n\n(b) remove tissue from, or carry out a post-mortem examination of, the body of a deceased person without having made the inquiries that he is required by this Act to make or having been satisfied that those inquiries have been made;\n\n(c) make a false statement in a certificate given for the purposes of this Act; or\n\n(d) contravene or fail to comply with a provision of Division 4 of Part II.\n\n1. 100 penalty units or imprisonment for six months, or both.\n\n\n(5) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) applies to or in relation to—\n\nS. 44(5)(a) amended by Nos 10257 s. 85(g), 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.6).\n\n(a) anything done in pursuance of an order by a coroner under the **Coroners Act 2008**; or\n\n(b) any other act authorized by law.\n\n\t45 Disclosure of information\n\n(1) Subject to this section, a person to whom this section applies shall not disclose or give to any other person any information or document whereby the identity of a person or a deceased person—\n\n(a) from whose body tissue has been removed for the purpose of transplantation or for use for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes;\n\n(b) with respect to whom or with respect to whose body a consent or authority has been given under this Act; or\n\n(c) into whose body tissue has been, is being, or may be, transplanted—\n\nmay become publicly known.\n\n1. 50 penalty units.\n\n\n(2) This section applies—\n\nS. 45(2)(a) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.20).\n\n(a) where a consent has been given in accordance with this Act—to a registered medical practitioner who gave a certificate in relation to the consent;\n\n(b) where an authority has been given in accordance with this Act by a designated officer for a hospital—to the designated officer;\n\nS. 45(2)(c) amended by No. 27/1987 s. 3(k).\n\n(c) where tissue has been removed from the body of a person or a deceased person—the person who removed the tissue and, if the tissue was removed at a hospital, each person who was employed at the hospital at the time of the removal of the tissue or has since been employed at the hospital;\n\nS. 45(2)(d) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.20).\n\n(d) where tissue has been transplanted into the body of a person—to the registered medical practitioner who performed the transplantation and, if the tissue as transplanted at a hospital, each person who was employed at the hospital at the time of the transplantation or has since been employed at the hospital; and\n\nS. 45(2)(e) amended by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.20).\n\n(e) where it is proposed that tissue will be transplanted into the body of a person—to the registered medical practitioner who is to perform the transplantation and, if the tissue is to be transplanted at a hospital, each person who is employed at the hospital or who becomes so employed.\n\n(3) Subsection (1) does not apply to or in relation to any information disclosed—\n\n(a) in pursuance of an order of a court or when otherwise required by law;\n\n(b) for the purposes of hospital administration or bona fide medical research;\n\n(c) with the consent of the person to whom the information relates; or\n\n(d) when the circumstances in which the disclosure is made are such that the disclosure is or would be privileged.\n\nS. 45(4) inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 15.\n\n(4) Despite subsection (1) and Health Privacy Principles 1 and 2 set out in Schedule 1 to the **Health Records Act 2001** and section 141 of the **Health Services Act 1988**, any of the persons referred to in subsection (5) may—\n\n(a) collect and use health information within the meaning of the **Health Records Act 2001** in relation to a deceased person or an unconscious person referred to in section 26(5); and\n\n(b) disclose that information to each other and any other necessary person—\n\nfor the purposes of—\n\n(c) assessing whether the tissue of the deceased person or the person when deceased is suitable for any use permitted under Part IV, V or VI; and\n\n(d) determining whether the removal of tissue is authorised under Part IV, V or VI; and\n\n(e) ascertaining and locating the senior available next of kin of the person referred to in paragraph (a).\n\nS. 45(5) inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 15.\n\n(5) Subsection (4) applies to—\n\n(a) a hospital where the person has died or where the person is or had previously been a patient;\n\n(b) a registered medical practitioner of the person;\n\nS. 45(5)(c) amended by Nos 77/2008 s. 129(Sch. 2 item 12.7), 34/2024 s. 52.\n\n(c) the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine established under Part 2 of the **Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 2024**;\n\nS. 45(5)(ca) inserted by No. 83/2012 s. 40.\n\n(ca) the principal registrar appointed under section 97 of the **Coroners Act 2008** in the provision of information under section 29A of that Act;\n\n(d) a tissue or organ donation service, including a person or body prescribed as a tissue or organ donation service;\n\n(e) a person who is employed or engaged by, or who performs work for, a person or body referred to in paragraph (a), (c) or (d) in relation to tissue donation.\n\nS. 45(6) inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 15.\n\n(6) Despite any other Act or law, a person to whom a request for health information is made under subsection (4) is authorised to provide the requested information.\n\nS. 45A inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 16.\n\n\t45A Validation\n\nAnything done or purported to be done under this Act before the commencement of section 16 of the **Coroners and Human Tissue Acts (Amendment) Act 2006** that would have been validly done—\n\n(a) had that Act been in operation at the time at which the thing was done or purported to have been done; and\n\n(b) had the persons referred to in regulation 4A of the Human Tissue Regulations 2006 been prescribed to remove tissue of any kind and had their duties included the removal of tissue of any kind—\n\nhas, and is deemed always to have had, the same force and effect as it would have had if the **Coroners and Human Tissue Acts (Amendment) Act 2006** had been in operation at the time at which the thing was done or purported to have been done and the persons referred to in regulation 4A of the Human Tissue Regulations 2006 had been prescribed to remove tissue of any kind.\n\nS. 46 amended by No. 67/2003 s. 7 (ILA s. 39B(1)).\n\n\t46 Regulations\n\n(1) The Governor in Council may make regulations, not inconsistent with this Act, prescribing all matters that are authorized or required to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.\n\nS. 46(2) inserted by No. 67/2003 s. 7.\n\n(2) The regulations—\n\n(a) may be of general or limited application; and\n\n(b) may differ according to differences in time, place or circumstance.\n\nS. 47 inserted by No. 59/2006 s. 17.\n\n\t47 Transitional\n\nUntil the commencement of regulations made on or after the commencement of section 8 of the **Coroners and Human Tissue Acts (Amendment) Act 2006** prescribing persons, or classes of persons for the purposes of section 25(b), the persons referred to in regulation 4A of the Human Tissue Regulations 2006 are deemed to have been prescribed to remove tissue of any kind and their duties are deemed to include the removal of tissue of any kind.\n\nSch.  \nrepealed by No. 23/1994 s. 118(Sch. 1 item 27.21).\n\n* * * * *\n\n\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\nThe **Human Tissue Act 1982** was assented to on 5 January 1983 and came into operation on 4 April 1983: Government Gazette 26 January 1983 page 176.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **Human Tissue Act 1982** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**Infertility (Medical Procedures) Act 1984, No. 10163/1984**\n\n| Assent Date: | 20.11.84 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 33 on 10.8.86: Government Gazette 6.8.86 p. 2011 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Coroners Act 1985, No. 10257/1985**\n\n| Assent Date: | 10.12.85 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 1–3, Pt 9 (ss 64–74) on 12.2.86: Government Gazette 12.2.86 p. 382; rest of Act on 1.6.86: Government Gazette 30.4.86 p. 1115 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Human Tissue (Amendment) Act 1987, No. 27/1987**\n\n| Assent Date: | 12.5.87 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 12.5.87 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Medical Practice Act 1994, No. 23/1994**\n\n| Assent Date: | 17.5.94 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 1, 2 on 17.5.94: s. 2(1); rest of Act on 1.7.94: Government Gazette 23.6.94 p. 1672 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Infertility Treatment Act 1995, No. 63/1995**\n\n| Assent Date: | 27.6.95 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 168 on 1.1.98: s. 2(4) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Health Acts (Statute Law Revision) Act 1998, No. 12/1998**\n\n| Assent Date: | 28.4.98 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 28.4.98 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Statute Law Amendment (Relationships) Act 2001, No. 27/2001**\n\n| Assent Date: | 12.6.01 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 6(Sch. 4 item 5) on 28.6.01: Government Gazette 28.6.01 p. 1428 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Health Legislation (Research Involving Human Embryos and Prohibition of Human Cloning) Act 2003, No. 11/2003**\n\n| Assent Date: | 6.5.03 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 25(1) on 16.10.03: Government Gazette 16.10.03 p. 2624 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Health Legislation (Amendment) Act 2003, No. 67/2003**\n\n| Assent Date: | 14.10.03 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 7 on 15.10.03: s. 2(1); s. 6 on 1.6.04: s. 2(3) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Health Professions Registration Act 2005, No. 97/2005**\n\n| Assent Date: | 7.12.05 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 182(Sch. 4 item 28) on 1.7.07: s. 2(3) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Coroners and Human Tissue Acts (Amendment) Act 2006, No. 59/2006**\n\n| Assent Date: | 29.8.06 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 8–13(3), 14–17 on 30.8.06: s. 2(1); s. 13(4) on 1.7.07: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Relationships Act 2008, No. 12/2008**\n\n| Assent Date: | 15.4.08 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 73(1)(Sch. 1 item 31) on 1.12.08: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2008, No. 72/2008**\n\n| Assent Date: | 25.11.08 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 27 on 1.1.10: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Coroners Act 2008, No. 77/2008**\n\n| Assent Date: | 11.12.08 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 129(Sch 2 item 12) on 1.11.09: s. 2 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Human Tissue Amendment Act 2009, No. 47/2009**\n\n| Assent Date: | 18.8.09 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | 19.8.09: s. 2 |\n| Current State: | All of Act in operation |\n\n\n**Statute Law Amendment (National Health Practitioner Regulation) Act 2010, No. 13/2010**\n\n| Assent Date: | 30. 3.10 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 51(Sch. item 31) on 1.7.10: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Justice Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Matters) Act 2012, No. 83/2012**\n\n| Assent Date: | 18.12.12 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 40 on 20.12.12: Special Gazette (No. 444) 19.12.12 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Assisted Reproductive Treatment Further Amendment Act 2014, No. 58/2014**\n\n| Assent Date: | 2.9.14 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 25 on 30.10.14: Special Gazette (No. 400) 29.10.14 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Human Tissue Amendment Act 2020, No. 42/2020**\n\n| Assent Date: | 8.12.20 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 4, 5 on 9.12.20: s. 2 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine Act 2024, No. 34/2024**\n\n| Assent Date: | 17.9.24 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 52 on 1.7.25: s. 2(2) |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n**Health Legislation Amendment (Regulatory Reform) Act 2024, No. 39/2024**\n\n| Assent Date: | 29.10.24 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | S. 84 on 1.1.25: Special Gazette (No. 700) 17.12.24 p. 1 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Human Tissue Act 1982** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\nNo entries at date of publication.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"A 1982 Act that has a consolidated version history strongly suggests its scope has evolved over time. Original legislation of this era typically focused narrowly on post-mortem tissue use and transplantation. Subsequent amendments likely expanded coverage to living donors, research uses, and introduced stronger consent and privacy protections consistent with modern medical ethics and national organ donation reform efforts."},"complexity_factors":["Intersects with multiple legal frameworks including coronial law, medical law, and privacy law","Consent rules are multi-layered — covering living donors, deceased persons, next of kin hierarchies, and minors","Distinguishes between different types of tissue use (transplant, research, education, post-mortem) each with separate rules","Ethical and definitional complexity around what constitutes 'human tissue' and when consent is valid","Interplay with Commonwealth and other state legislation on organ donation","The legislation is from 1982 and has been amended over time, meaning the consolidated version may reflect layers of change that are not always internally consistent","Limited metadata provided makes it difficult to assess the full scope of current provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"## Human Tissue Act 1982 (Victoria)\n\nThis is a Victorian law that governs how human tissue and organs can be donated, used, and managed in medical and scientific contexts.\n\n**What it likely covers:**\n- Rules around **organ and tissue donation** (e.g., what happens to organs after death)\n- Who can **consent** to donation — yourself while alive, or your next of kin after death\n- How **hospitals and doctors** must handle donated tissue\n- Restrictions on the **commercial use** of human tissue (e.g., you generally cannot sell organs)\n- Use of tissue for **medical research, transplantation, or education**\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Ordinary Victorians — especially those registered as organ donors or with family members who have died\n- **Doctors, surgeons, and hospitals** involved in transplants or post-mortems\n- **Medical researchers** who use human tissue samples\n- **Coroners** and pathologists dealing with deceased persons\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis law sets the legal boundaries around one of the most sensitive areas of medicine — what can be done with a person's body and organs. It balances **individual rights and wishes** against medical necessity and scientific progress. Getting this wrong has serious ethical and legal consequences."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The legislation has expanded significantly beyond its original 1982 scope. Originally focused on tissue transplantation and post-mortems, it has grown to include: ante-mortem procedures for organ donation (2020 amendment), complex blood transfusion consent rules for children, regulation of tissue banks and cost recovery (2003), alignment with modern relationship recognition (domestic partners, 2001/2008), integration with the national health practitioner registration scheme (2010), and detailed privacy provisions for health information sharing (2006). The 2020 amendments particularly expanded the temporal scope to cover medical procedures performed before death to facilitate donation, effectively regulating end-of-life care decisions in the context of organ donation."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping consent hierarchies: living vs deceased donors, adults vs children, regenerative vs non-regenerative tissue, each with different procedural requirements","Complex 'senior available next of kin' definition with a strict priority order (spouse/domestic partner → adult children → parents → siblings) and availability requirements","Extensive cross-referencing to other legislation: Medical Treatment Planning and Decisions Act 2016, Coroners Act 2008, Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, Relationships Act 2008, Health Records Act 2001, etc.","Conditional logic with multiple exceptions: e.g., section 26(7) requires different certification depending on whether artificial life support is being used (one doctor vs two doctors with 5+ years experience)","Nested revocation mechanisms in Division 4 of Part II with specific notification requirements to designated officers, nurses, midwives, or treating doctors","Special provisions for coronial consent creating additional procedural layers for reportable deaths","Multiple amendment layers (47 versions) creating fragmented text with historical notes and substituted provisions throughout","Distinction between 'designated officer' authorities (hospital-based) and registered medical practitioner authorities (non-hospital settings) with slightly different rules","Specific exclusions for foetal tissue, spermatozoa, and ova in certain Parts but not others","Transitional provisions and validation clauses (sections 45A, 47) that preserve historical actions under repealed regulatory frameworks"],"plain_english_summary":"This Victorian law governs how human tissue can be legally removed, used, and donated for medical purposes. It covers:\n\n**Living Donations:**\n- Adults can donate **regenerative tissue** (like bone marrow or skin that grows back) or **non-regenerative tissue** (like kidneys) with proper written consent and medical certification.\n- Children generally cannot donate non-regenerative tissue. They can only donate regenerative tissue to close family members (siblings or parents) with parental consent, medical approval, and the child's agreement (if old enough to understand).\n\n**Blood Donations:**\n- Adults can consent to give blood for transfusions or medical use.\n- Parents can consent for children over 16, provided a doctor confirms it's safe and the child agrees.\n- Emergency blood transfusions can be given to children without parental consent if two doctors agree the child will die without it.\n\n**Donations After Death:**\n- Tissue can be removed from deceased persons for transplantation or medical research if:\n  - The person consented before death (in writing or verbally with witnesses), OR\n  - The \"senior available next of kin\" (spouse/domestic partner, then adult children, then parents, then siblings) consents, OR\n  - No next of kin can be found and there's no evidence the person objected.\n- **Ante-mortem procedures** (medical steps taken before death to preserve organs, like maintaining life support) are allowed with consent from the person's medical treatment decision maker.\n- Coroners must consent if the death is reportable or suspicious.\n\n**Post-Mortem Examinations:**\n- Autopsies require consent from the deceased (before death) or from senior next of kin, unless a coroner orders one.\n\n**Anatomical Donations:**\n- Bodies can be donated to schools of anatomy for medical education with similar consent requirements.\n\n**Prohibitions:**\n- **Buying and selling human tissue is illegal** (with limited exceptions for tissue banks recovering costs).\n- Advertising related to tissue sales or donations requires ministerial approval.\n\n**Definition of Death:**\n- Death is defined as either irreversible cessation of blood circulation OR irreversible cessation of all brain function.\n\n**Why it matters:** This law balances respect for individual autonomy (what you want done with your body), family wishes, and the urgent medical need for transplants and research. It protects vulnerable people (especially children) from exploitation while enabling life-saving medical procedures."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":8,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act’s operational scope has expanded since enactment through amendments. Notable scope changes in the consolidated text include: the addition of regulated ante-mortem procedures and a role for a medical treatment decision maker (inserted Div. 1 Pt IV, ss 24A–24F by No. 42/2020); explicit provision for tissue bank cost recovery (s.39A inserted by No. 67/2003); updated interactions with coronial and forensic bodies (coroner consent requirements and references to the Coroners Act and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, ss.27, 29, 45(5)(c)); and changes to advertising and related regulatory material (s.40 and amendment history). These amendments add new authorisation paths, data‑sharing permissions and institutional obligations that broaden the Act from a narrow consent-and-removal statute to a more detailed regulatory framework covering ante-mortem preservation, institutional cost recovery and multi‑agency coordination."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple decision-makers with differing powers (designated officers, registered medical practitioners, senior available next of kin, medical treatment decision maker, coroner) across different Parts","Different consent routes and formality requirements (written consent, witnessed oral consent during last illness, medical certificates, child agreement requirements) (s.7–11; s.15; s.26)","Tiered age and status definitions (e.g. child generally <18, but for some blood provisions child = <16) (s.3; s.20A)","Procedural preconditions that vary by context (e.g. two experienced practitioners for brain‑death/ante‑mortem decisions) (s.24D; s.26(7))","Interplay with external Acts and bodies (Coroners Act, Health Records Act, Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine) that add cross-institutional dependencies (s.27; s.29; s.45(5)(c))","\"Reasonable inquiries\" and subjective thresholds (e.g. 'has no reason to believe') creating discretionary judgement calls (s.26(1)(e); s.26(3))","Criminal offences and significant penalties for procedural failures (s.26(7) note; s.44)","Specialised operational rules (ante-mortem procedures, tissue bank cost recovery, advertising controls) introduced by later amendments that expand administrative detail (s.24A–24F; s.39A; s.40)","Record-keeping and notification obligations with prescribed retention periods (s.18; s.19; s.28(7); s.32(7))"],"plain_english_summary":"# What this law does\n\nThis Act sets out who may lawfully remove, use, keep or study human tissue in Victoria and when they may do it. It covers: donations by living people (including special rules for children); taking blood and giving transfusions; taking tissue from people after they die (including steps taken before death to preserve tissue); post-mortem examinations; the retention and use of bodies for anatomical teaching; supervision of schools of anatomy; limits on buying, selling and advertising tissue; confidentiality of donation and transplant information; and the legal definition of death (either irreversible stoppage of circulation or irreversible cessation of all brain function) (see Parts II–IX and s.41).\n\n# Who decides and who is affected\n\n- Medical decision-makers: registered medical practitioners and other authorised health staff carry out removals and examinations. Hospitals appoint a \"designated officer\" who can give many authorisations (s.4; s.26). Certificates and written authorisations by medical practitioners are often required before tissue may be removed (s.9; s.15(2); s.26(7)).\n- Consent-holders: adults may consent for their own tissue; parents may consent for children in limited circumstances; a person’s senior available next of kin may consent after death if the deceased did not object (see Part II Divs 2–4; s.26). The Act also recognises a person’s medical treatment decision maker for ante-mortem procedures (s.24B–24F).\n- Coroner: where a death may be investigated by the coroner, coroner consent is required before removal, retention or post-mortem use of tissue (s.27; s.29; s.33).\n- Tissue banks and regulated bodies: tissue banks may recover reasonable costs for services (s.39A); the Minister may issue permits in special cases to buy tissue (s.39(2)).\n\n# How the rules operate (mechanics)\n\n- Consent and certification: written consent by the donor (or authorised next of kin in specified cases) plus a medical certificate is generally required before tissue removal (s.7–11; s.15–16; s.26(1)–(2); s.9; s.15(2); s.26(7)).\n- Children: there are stricter limits on removing tissue from children. Non-regenerative tissue cannot be removed for transplant from a living child (s.14). Parents can consent to removal of regenerative tissue from a child only for a sibling or parent subject to medical practitioner certification that the child understands or is in agreement, or when the child cannot understand but the recipient sibling is likely to die without the transplant (s.15).\n- Ante-mortem procedures: hospitals may authorise procedures before death to preserve tissue for later donation, but only with consent from the person's medical treatment decision maker (or in narrow circumstances where that person cannot be located) and, when life support is sustaining respiration or circulation, only after certifications by two experienced medical practitioners (s.24A–24F; s.24D).\n- After-death removal: tissue may be removed after death where the deceased consented (in writing or orally before witnesses), or where the senior available next of kin consents, or where no next of kin can be located and there is no reason to believe the deceased objected (s.26). Medical certification of death or brain death is required before removal (s.26(7); s.41).\n- Post-mortems and anatomy: similar consent and coroner rules apply for post-mortem examinations and for retaining bodies for anatomical teaching (s.28; s.32; s.33).\n- Prohibitions and enforcement: sale or purchase of tissue is prohibited except by Ministerial permit in special cases, and many contraventions carry significant penalties including fines and possible imprisonment (s.38–39; s.44).\n- Confidentiality and data-sharing: staff involved in donation/transplantation generally must not disclose identifying information (s.45), but the Act allows specified health bodies to exchange health information to assess suitability and locate next of kin (s.45(4)–(6)).\n\n# Stated purpose and how it maps to mechanics\n\nThe Act states its purpose as making provision for removal of human tissue for transplantation, post-mortems, the definition of death, registration of schools of anatomy and related matters. The statute implements that purpose by: defining what counts as tissue and death (s.3; s.41); specifying who can give consent or authority and under what formality (written, witnessed oral, certificates) (Parts II–VI); specifying procedural safeguards (medical certifications, inquiries, record-keeping) (s.9; s.26(7); s.18(6)); and setting criminal penalties and confidentiality rules to enforce compliance (s.44; s.45).\n\n# Practical trade-offs, incentives and costs (source-linked)\n\n- Who pays: donors cannot be paid (sale prohibited, s.38), but tissue banks may recover reasonable costs for removal, evaluation, storage, processing and distribution (s.39A). That creates an explicit mechanism to allow cost recovery without permitting commercial sale. Any Ministerial permit to buy tissue is an exception that can concentrate financial benefit in permit-holders (s.39(2)).\n\n- Decision-making discretion and administrative burden: designated officers and medical practitioners must make \"such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances\" before granting authority, and must record revocations or changes of agreement and retain records for specified periods (e.g., revocation recording and three-year retention under s.18(6)–(7) and s.19(5)–(6)). These duties impose procedural work on hospitals and clinicians (s.18; s.19; s.26(7)).\n\n- Compliance risk and certification requirements: removals after death and ante-mortem procedures have strict certification prerequisites (for example, two registered medical practitioners with at least five years' experience must certify in some circumstances, s.24D; s.26(7)(b)). These safeguards reduce risk of premature removal but can delay or complicate time-critical transplantation logistics.\n\n- Limits on contract freedom and market effects: the Act prohibits buying and selling tissue (s.38–39) and restricts advertising about tissue transactions unless approved (s.40). That constrains private commercial transactions and public solicitation, while allowing regulated cost recovery by tissue banks (s.39A). The Ministerial permit route (s.39(2)) creates a discretionary exception that may enable specific purchases in exceptional circumstances.\n\n- Interaction with other agencies and laws: coroner consent is required where deaths fall within coroner jurisdiction (s.27; s.29; s.33), and the Act expressly permits specified health bodies to share health information to assess donor suitability (s.45(4)–(6)). Those overlaps can speed or slow processes depending on institutional arrangements.\n\n- Enforcement and penalties: offences for removing tissue without authority, false certificates, improper post-mortems and other contraventions carry statutory penalties (s.26(7) note; s.44). That creates legal risk for professionals who do not follow the Act’s formalities.\n\n# Implementation risks and likely operational effects\n\n- Time-critical operations (organ retrieval) may be affected by requirements for multiple certificates, coroner involvement where applicable, and the need to locate next of kin or a medical treatment decision maker (s.26(7); s.27; s.24B–24E).\n- Hospitals and clinicians face record‑keeping and notification duties (s.18; s.19; s.28(7); s.32(7)) which impose administrative costs and create points of failure if not followed precisely.\n- The prohibition on commercial trade together with permitted cost recovery (s.38; s.39A) changes the incentive structure: commercial resale is blocked, but institutional recovery of processing costs is allowed, making tissue banking an operational rather than a commercialised activity under the Act.\n\n# Bottom line (mechanical): who pays, who decides, what behaviour changes\n\n- Who pays: recipients or institutions may bear reasonable tissue-bank processing costs (s.39A); donors are not paid (s.38). Penalties for breaches impose financial and criminal risk on individuals or organisations (s.44).\n- Who decides: donors, parents (limited), senior available next of kin, medical treatment decision makers, designated officers, registered medical practitioners and coroners have defined roles in authorising or refusing tissue removal or retention (Parts II–VI; s.24B–24F; s.26; s.27; s.29; s.33).\n- Behaviour changes required: hospitals and clinicians must follow formal consent, certification and inquiry processes; avoid sale/purchase and unapproved advertising; keep records and protect identifying information while sharing specified health data with authorised bodies (s.9; s.15(2); s.18; s.26; s.38–40; s.45)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/human-tissue-act-1982","history":"/api/acts/human-tissue-act-1982/history","analysis":"/api/acts/human-tissue-act-1982/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/human-tissue-act-1982/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/human-tissue-act-1982/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/human-tissue-act-1982/documents"}}