{"id":"transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983","name":"Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1983","slug":"transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"sa","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":110572,"registerId":"sa-transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-03","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1983","content":"South Australia\nTransplantation and Anatomy Act 1983\nAn Act to make provision for and in relation to the removal of human tissues for transplantation, for post-mortem examinations, and for the regulation of schools of anatomy; and for other purposes.\n\nContents\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1\tShort title\n5\tInterpretation\n5A\tAuthorisation of retention of tissue for purpose\n6\tDesignated officers\nPart 2—Donations of tissue by living persons\nDivision 1—Exclusion of certain tissue\n7\tInterpretation\nDivision 2—Donations by adults\n8\tRemoval of blood not subject to Division\n9\tConsent by adult living donor to removal of regenerative tissue\n10\tConsent by adult living donor to removal of non-regenerative tissue for transplantation\nDivision 3—Donations from children\n11\tBlood transfusions not subject to Division\n12\tGeneral prohibition against removal of tissue from children\n13\tRemoval for transplantation of regenerative tissue from child\n14\tRevocation of consent\nDivision 4—Effect of consents\n15\tConsents under section 9\n16\tConsents under section 10\n17\tConsents under section 13\nDivision 5—Donations of blood\n17A\tInterpretation\n18\tConsents by adults to removal of blood\n19\tConsents to removal of blood from children\n20\tConsent to be sufficient authority for removal of blood\nPart 3—Donations of tissue after death\n21\tAuthorities to remove tissue after death\n22\tAuthority to remove tissue where body of deceased person not in hospital\n23\tConsent by State Coroner\n24\tEffect of authority under Part\nPart 4—Post-mortem examinations\n25\tAuthority for post-mortem examination where body of deceased person is in hospital\n26\tAuthority for post-mortem examination where body of deceased person is not in hospital\n27\tAuthority to use for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, tissue removed for post-mortem examination\n28\tEffect of authority under Part\n28A\tPost-mortem examinations to be conducted with regard for dignity of deceased\nPart 5—Donations for anatomical purposes\n29\tAuthorities for anatomy\n30\tAuthority for anatomy where body of deceased person not in hospital\n31\tConsent by State Coroner\n32\tEffect of authority under Part\nPart 6—Schools of anatomy\n33\tEstablishment of schools of anatomy\n34\tRegulations for control etc of schools of anatomy\nPart 7—Prohibition of trading in tissue\n35\tCertain contracts to be void\nPart 8—Miscellaneous\n36\tExclusion of liability of persons acting in pursuance of consent etc\n37\tAct does not prevent specified removals of tissue etc\n38\tOffences in relation to removal of tissue\n38A\tOffence to provide false or misleading information in relation to donation of blood or semen\n39\tDisclosure of information\n40A\tDelegation\n41\tRegulations\nLegislative history\n\nThe Parliament of South Australia enacts as follows:\nPart 1—Preliminary\n1—Short title\nThis Act may be cited as the Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1983.\n5—Interpretation\n\t(1)\tIn this Act, unless the contrary intention appears—\nchild means a person who—\n\t(a)\thas not attained the age of 18 years; and\n\t(b)\tis not married;\ndesignated officer, in relation to a hospital, means a person appointed under section 6 to be a designated officer for that hospital;\ndomestic partner means a person who is a domestic partner within the meaning of the Family Relationships Act 1975, whether declared as such under that Act or not;\nmedical practitioner means a legally qualified medical practitioner;\nnext of kin means—\n\t(a)\tin relation to a child—a person referred to in paragraph (a) of the definition of senior available next of kin; and\n\t(b)\tin relation to any other person—a person referred to in paragraph (b) of that definition;\nnon-regenerative tissue means tissue other than regenerative tissue;\nparent of a child includes a guardian of the child;\nregenerative tissue means tissue that, after injury or removal, is replaced in the body of a living person by natural processes;\nsenior available next of kin means—\n\t(a)\tin relation to a child, the first in order of priority of the following persons who is available at the time:\n\t(i)\ta parent of the child;\n\t(ii)\ta brother or sister, who has attained the age of 18 years, of the child;\n\t(iii)\ta guardian of the child; and\n\t(b)\tin relation to any other person, the first in order of priority of the following persons who is available at the time:\n\t(i)\tthe spouse or domestic partner of the person;\n\t(ii)\ta son or daughter, who has attained the age of 18 years, of the person;\n\t(iii)\ta parent of the person;\n\t(iv)\ta brother or sister, who has attained the age of 18 years, of the person;\nspouse—a person is the spouse of another if they are legally married;\ntissue includes an organ, or part, of a human body or a substance extracted from, or from a part of, the human body.\n\t(2)\tA reference in this Act to the transplantation of tissue will 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.\n5A—Authorisation of retention of tissue for purpose\nAn authorisation in accordance with this Act to remove or use tissue for a particular purpose will be taken to also authorise the retention of the tissue, to the extent that such retention is reasonably necessary for the purpose.\n6—Designated officers\nThe Minister may by instrument in writing, appoint a person who is a medical practitioner to be a designated officer for a hospital specified in the instrument.\nPart 2—Donations of tissue by living persons\nDivision 1—Exclusion of certain tissue\n7—Interpretation\nIn this Part, a reference to tissue is not to be read as including a reference to foetal tissue, spermatozoa or ova.\nDivision 2—Donations by adults\n8—Removal of blood not subject to Division\nNothing in this Division prevents the removal in accordance with Division 5 of blood from the body of a person.\n9—Consent by adult living donor to removal of regenerative tissue\n\t(1)\tA person who—\n\t(a)\tis not a child; and\n\t(b)\tin the light of medical advice furnished to them understands the nature and effect of the removal,\nmay, by writing signed by them otherwise than in the presence of any members of their family, consent to the removal from their body of regenerative tissue, other than blood, specified in the consent—\n\t(c)\tfor the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person; or\n\t(d)\tfor use for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n\t(2)\tA person who has given a consent referred to in subsection (1) may, at any time before the removal of the regenerative tissue to which the consent applies, revoke, either orally or in writing, their consent to the removal.\n10—Consent by adult living donor to removal of non-regenerative tissue for transplantation\n\t(1)\tA person who—\n\t(a)\tis not a child; and\n\t(b)\tin the light of medical advice furnished to them understands the nature and effect of the removal and the nature of the transplantation,\nmay, by writing signed by them otherwise than in the presence of any members of their family, consent to the removal, after the expiration of a period of 24 hours from the time at which the consent is signed, from their body of non-regenerative tissue specified in the consent for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person.\n\t(2)\tA person who has given a consent referred to in subsection (1) may, at any time before the removal of the non-regenerative tissue to which the consent applies, revoke, either orally or in writing, their consent to the removal.\nDivision 3—Donations from children\n11—Blood transfusions not subject to Division\nNothing in this Division prevents the removal in accordance with Division 5 of blood from the body of a child.\n12—General prohibition against removal of tissue from children\nIt is not lawful—\n\t(a)\tto 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; or\n\t(b)\texcept as provided by this Part, 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.\n13—Removal for transplantation of regenerative tissue from child\n\t(1)\tA parent of a child may, in the prescribed circumstances, 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 another living person referred to in the consent.\n\t(2)\tThe prescribed circumstances for the purposes of subsection (1) are that—\n\t(a)\tin the light of medical advice furnished to the parent and the child each of them understands the nature and effect of the removal and the nature of the transplantation;\n\t(b)\tthe child has agreed to the removal of the regenerative tissue for the purpose of its transplantation to the body of the person referred to in subsection (1).\n\t(3)\tA consent under subsection (1) has no effect for the purposes of this Act unless approved by the Committee under this section.\n\t(4)\tThe Minister must appoint a Committee for the purposes of this section which must consist of 3 members, of whom—\n\t(a)\t1 must be a legal practitioner of at least 7 years' standing; and\n\t(b)\t1 must be a medical practitioner; and\n\t(c)\t1 must be a social worker or psychologist,\nand of whom at least 1 must be a woman and at least 1 must be a man.\n\t(5)\tWhere a consent is given under subsection (1), the Committee may approve the consent if each of the members of the Committee is of the opinion that it is desirable in all the circumstances of the case that the tissue referred to in the consent be removed from the body of the child for transplantation to the body of the other person referred to in the consent.\n14—Revocation of consent\nA parent who has given a consent under this Division, or a child who has under this Division agreed to the removal of tissue from their body, may, at any time before the removal of the tissue to which the consent or agreement applies, revoke, either orally or in writing, their consent or agreement, as the case requires, to the removal.\nDivision 4—Effect of consents\n15—Consents under section 9\nA consent under section 9 is, unless it has been revoked under section 9(2), sufficient authority for a medical practitioner, other than a medical practitioner by whom the medical advice referred to in that section was furnished, to remove the regenerative tissue referred to in the consent—\n\t(a)\tfor the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person; or\n\t(b)\tfor use for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n16—Consents under section 10\nA consent under section 10 is, unless it has been revoked under section 10(2), sufficient authority for a medical practitioner, other than a medical practitioner by whom the medical advice referred to in that section was furnished, to remove, after the expiration of a period of 24 hours after the time at which the consent was given, the non-regenerative tissue referred to in the consent for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of another living person.\n17—Consents under section 13\nA consent under section 13 is, unless the parent who gave the consent has revoked their consent or the child has revoked their agreement under section 14, sufficient authority for a medical practitioner, other than a medical practitioner by whom the medical advice referred to in that section was furnished, to remove from the body of the child the regenerative tissue referred to in the consent for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of the other person referred to in the consent.\nDivision 5—Donations of blood\n17A—Interpretation\nIn this Division—\nchild means a person who—\n\t(a)\thas not attained the age of 16 years; and\n\t(b)\tis not married.\n18—Consents by adults to removal of blood\nA person who is not a child may consent to the removal of blood from their body for transfusion to another person or for use of the blood or of any of its constituents for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n19—Consents to removal of blood from children\nA parent of a child may consent to the removal of blood from the body of the child for a use referred to in section 18 if—\n\t(a)\ta medical practitioner advises that the removal should not be prejudicial to the health of the child; and\n\t(b)\tthe child agrees to the removal.\n20—Consent to be sufficient authority for removal of blood\nA consent under this Division 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 requires.\nPart 3—Donations of tissue after death\n21—Authorities to remove tissue after death\n\t(1)\tA designated officer for a hospital may, subject to and in accordance with this section, by instrument in writing, authorise 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\t(a)\tfor the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of a living person; or\n\t(b)\tfor use of the tissue for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n\t(2)\tWhere the designated officer, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, has reason to believe that the deceased person had, during their lifetime, expressed the wish for, or consented to, the removal after their death of tissue from their body for the purpose or a use referred to in subsection (1) and had not withdrawn the wish or revoked the consent, the designated officer may authorise under subsection (1) the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person for the purpose or a use referred to in that subsection.\n\t(3)\tWhere the designated officer, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, has no reason to believe that the deceased person during their lifetime—\n\t(a)\thad expressed the wish for, or consented to, the removal after their death of tissue from their body for the purpose or a use referred to in subsection (1); or\n\t(b)\thad expressed an objection to the removal after their death of tissue from their body for such a purpose or use,\nand after making those inquiries and such further inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the designated officer—\n\t(c)\thas no reason to believe that the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has an objection to the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person; or\n\t(d)\tis unable to ascertain the existence or the whereabouts of the next of kin of the deceased person or is unable to ascertain whether any of the next of kin of the deceased person has an objection to the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person,\nthe designated officer may authorise under subsection (1) the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person for the purpose or a use referred to in that subsection.\n\t(4)\tThe senior available next of kin of a person may make it known to a designated officer at any time when the person is unconscious before death that they have no objection 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 may not act on such an indication if the person recovers consciousness.\n\t(5)\tWhere there are 2 or more persons having a description referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of senior available next of kin in section 5, an objection by 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.\n22—Authority to remove tissue where body of deceased person not in hospital\n\t(1)\tWhere the body of a deceased person is in a place other than a hospital, the senior available next of kin of the deceased person may, subject to this section, by instrument in writing, authorise the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person—\n\t(a)\tfor the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of a living person; or\n\t(b)\tfor use of the tissue for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes.\n\t(2)\tSubsection (1) does not apply where the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has reason to believe that—\n\t(a)\tthe deceased person had, during their lifetime, expressed an objection to the removal of tissue from their body and had not withdrawn their objection; or\n\t(b)\tanother next of kin of the same or a higher order of the classes in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of senior available next of kin in section 5 has an objection to the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person.\n\t(3)\tWhere—\n\t(a)\ta deceased person, during their lifetime, expressed the wish for, or consented to, the removal after their death of tissue from their body for the purpose or a use referred to in subsection (1); and\n\t(b)\tthe wish had not been withdrawn or the consent revoked; and\n\t(c)\tthe body of the deceased person is in a place other than a hospital,\nthe removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person in accordance with the wish or consent is, by force of this subsection, authorised.\n23—Consent by State Coroner\n\t(1)\tIf the designated officer for a hospital or, in a case to which section 22 applies, the senior available next of kin, has reason to believe that the circumstances applicable in relation to the death of a person are such that an inquest may be held under the Coroners Act 2003 into the death, the designated officer or the senior available next of kin, as the case may be, may only authorise the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person if the State Coroner has consented to the removal.\n\t(2)\tSection 22(3) does not operate in a case in which an inquest may be held under the Coroners Act 2003 into the death of a person unless the State Coroner has consented to the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person.\n\t(3)\tThe State Coroner may give a direction either before or after the death of a person that their 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\t(4)\tA consent or direction by the State Coroner under this section may be expressed to be subject to such conditions as are specified in the consent or the direction.\n\t(5)\tA consent or direction may be given orally by the State Coroner and, if so given, must be confirmed in writing.\n24—Effect of authority under Part\n\t(1)\tSubject to subsection (2), an authority under this Part is sufficient authority for the removal of tissue from the body of the deceased person referred to in the authority for the purpose of the transplantation of the tissue to the body of a living person or for use for other therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, provided that the removal of the tissue is carried out by—\n\t(a)\ta medical practitioner other than—\n\t(i)\ta medical practitioner referred to in subsection (2); and\n\t(ii)\tin a case to which section 21 applies, the designated officer for the hospital; or\n\t(b)\twhere the tissue is to be removed for the purpose of corneal transplantation—an authorised person or a medical practitioner entitled by virtue of paragraph (a) to carry out the removal.\n\t(2)\tWhere the respiration and the circulation of the blood of a person are being maintained by artificial means, tissue may only be removed from the body of the person for the purpose or a use specified in subsection (1) if 2 medical practitioners (each of whom has carried out a clinical examination of the person, and each of whom has been for a period of not less than 5 years a medical practitioner) have declared that irreversible cessation of all function of the brain of the person has occurred.\n\t(3)\tFor the purposes of subsection (2), any period during which a person who is a medical practitioner practised as a medical practitioner, however described, under the law in force in a country outside Australia is to be taken into account in calculating the period of 5 years referred to in that subsection.\n\t(4)\tIn this section—\nauthorised person means a person, not being a medical practitioner, appointed by the Minister to be an authorised person for the purposes of this section.\nPart 4—Post-mortem examinations\n25—Authority for post-mortem examination where body of deceased person is in hospital\n\t(1)\tA designated officer for a hospital may, subject to this section, by instrument in writing, authorise, for the purpose of investigating the causes of death of a person who has died in the hospital or whose dead body has been brought into the hospital, a post‑mortem examination of the body of the deceased person—\n\t(a)\tif, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the designated officer is satisfied that the deceased person had, during their lifetime, given their consent to a post-mortem examination of their body and had not revoked the consent; or\n\t(b)\tif, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the designated officer is not satisfied as to the matters referred to in paragraph (a) but is satisfied—\n\t(i)\tthat the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has given their consent to a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person; and\n\t(ii)\tthat the deceased person had not, during their lifetime, expressed an objection to a post-mortem examination of their body; or\n\t(c)\tif, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the designated officer—\n\t(i)\tis not satisfied as to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b)(i) but is satisfied as to the matter referred to in paragraph (b)(ii); and\n\t(ii)\tis unable to ascertain—\n\t(A)\tthe existence or whereabouts of the next of kin of the deceased person; or\n\t(B)\twhether any of the next of kin of the deceased person has an objection to a post‑mortem examination of the body of the deceased person.\n\t(2)\tIf, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the designated officer is not satisfied as to the matters referred to in subsection (1)(a) and has reason to believe—\n\t(a)\tthat the deceased person had, during their lifetime, expressed an objection to a post-mortem examination of their body and had not withdrawn that objection; or\n\t(b)\tthat the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has an objection to a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person,\nthe designated officer may, subject to this section, with the consent of the Minister, authorise a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person in accordance with the consent for the purpose or purposes specified in the consent.\n\t(3)\tThe Minister must not consent to a post-mortem examination of the body of a deceased person unless—\n\t(a)\tthe Minister is of the opinion—\n\t(i)\tthat a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person is necessary or desirable in order to identify or deal with any risk (whether actual or perceived) to the health of the public; and\n\t(ii)\tthat the interests of public health justify overriding any objection to a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person expressed by the deceased person during their lifetime or on the part of the senior available next of kin of the deceased person; and\n\t(b)\tif the Minister has reason to believe that the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has an objection to a post‑mortem examination of the body of the deceased person—the Minister has made every reasonable attempt to persuade the senior available next of kin to grant their consent to a post‑mortem examination.\n\t(4)\tThe Minister must, within 7 days after granting consent to a post‑mortem examination of the body of a deceased person under this section, notify the State Coroner of the consent.\n\t(5)\tIf the designated officer has reason to believe that the death of the person is or may be a reportable death under the Coroners Act 2003, the designated officer must not authorise a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person unless—\n\t(a)\tthe State Coroner has given their consent to the post‑mortem examination; or\n\t(b)\tthe State Coroner has given a direction (whether before or after the person's death) that their consent to a post‑mortem examination of the body of the person is not required.\n\t(6)\tSubject to subsection (7), a consent referred to in this section (other than a consent of the State Coroner) must be in writing.\n\t(7)\tThe senior available next of kin of a deceased person may, at the request of the designated officer, give their consent to a post‑mortem examination of the body of the deceased person orally by telephone but that consent is not effective unless—\n\t(a)\tthe giving of the consent is heard by 2 witnesses, at least 1 of whom must be a medical practitioner; and\n\t(b)\ta written record of the consent is made by a witness who is a medical practitioner; and\n\t(c)\tthat record is signed by the 2 witnesses.\n\t(8)\tA consent or direction of the State Coroner under this section—\n\t(a)\tmay be unconditional or subject to such conditions as are specified in the consent or direction;\n\t(b)\tif given orally, must be confirmed in writing.\n\t(9)\tIf there are 2 or more persons having a description referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of senior available next of kin in section 5, the consent of any one of those persons has effect for the purposes of this section.\n26—Authority for post-mortem examination where body of deceased person is not in hospital\n\t(1)\tThe senior available next of kin of a deceased person whose body is in a place other than a hospital may, subject to this section, by instrument in writing, authorise a post‑mortem examination of the body of the deceased person for the purpose of investigating the causes of death of the person.\n\t(2)\tThe senior available next of kin of the deceased person must not authorise a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person if they have reason to believe—\n\t(a)\tthat another next of kin of the deceased person of the same or higher order of the classes referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of senior available next of kin in section 5 has an objection to the post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person; or\n\t(b)\tthat the deceased person had, during their lifetime, expressed an objection to a post-mortem examination of their body and had not withdrawn the objection.\n\t(3)\tIf the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has reason to believe that the death of the person is or may be a reportable death under the Coroners Act 2003, the senior available next of kin must not authorise a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person unless—\n\t(a)\tthe State Coroner has given their consent to the post‑mortem examination; or\n\t(b)\tthe State Coroner has given a direction (whether before or after the person's death) that their consent to a post‑mortem examination of the body of the person is not required.\n\t(4)\tIf—\n\t(a)\ta deceased person had, during their lifetime, given their written consent to a post-mortem examination of their body and had not revoked the consent; and\n\t(b)\tthe body of the deceased person is in a place other than a hospital,\na post-mortem examination of the deceased person is authorised by force of this subsection.\n\t(5)\tHowever, if an inquest may be held under the Coroners Act 2003 into the death of a deceased person, subsection (4) does not authorise a post-mortem examination of the body of the deceased person unless the State Coroner has given their consent to the examination.\n\t(6)\tA consent or direction of the State Coroner under this section—\n\t(a)\tmay be unconditional or subject to such conditions as are specified in the consent or direction;\n\t(b)\tif given orally, must be confirmed in writing.\n27—Authority to use for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, tissue removed for post-mortem examination\n\t(1)\tA designated officer for a hospital may, by instrument in writing, authorise the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from the body of a deceased person for the purposes of a post-mortem examination of the body performed at the hospital pursuant to an authority under section 25—\n\t(a)\tif, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the designated officer is satisfied that the deceased person had, during their lifetime, given their consent to the use, after their death, of tissue from their body for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes and had not revoked the consent; or\n\t(b)\tif, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the designated officer is not satisfied as to the matters referred to in paragraph (a) but is satisfied—\n\t(i)\tthat the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has given their consent to the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of any tissue removed from the body of the deceased person for the purposes of a post-mortem examination of the body; and\n\t(ii)\tthat the deceased person had not, during their lifetime, expressed an objection to the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from their body after their death.\n\t(2)\tThe senior available next of kin of a deceased person may, by instrument in writing, authorise the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from the body of the deceased person for the purposes of a post-mortem examination of the body performed at a place other than a hospital pursuant to an authority under section 26 unless they have reason to believe—\n\t(a)\tthat another next of kin of the deceased person of the same or higher order of the classes referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of senior available next of kin in section 5 has an objection to the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from the body of the deceased person for the purposes of a post‑mortem examination of the body; or\n\t(b)\tthat the deceased person had, during their lifetime, expressed an objection to the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from their body after their death and had not withdrawn the objection.\n\t(3)\tThe State Coroner may, by instrument in writing, authorise the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from the body of a deceased person for the purposes of a post-mortem examination of the body performed pursuant to a direction given by the State Coroner or the Coroner's Court under the Coroners Act 2003—\n\t(a)\tif, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the State Coroner is satisfied that the deceased person had, during their lifetime, given their consent to the use, after their death, of tissue from their body for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes and had not revoked the consent; or\n\t(b)\tif, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, the State Coroner is not satisfied as to the matters referred to in paragraph (a) but is satisfied—\n\t(i)\tthat the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has given their consent to the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of any tissue removed from the body of the deceased person for the purposes of a post-mortem examination of the body; and\n\t(ii)\tthat the deceased person had not, during their lifetime, expressed an objection to the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from their body after their death.\n\t(4)\tIf there are 2 or more persons having a description referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of senior available next of kin in section 5, the consent of any one of those persons has effect for the purposes of this section.\n\t(5)\tA consent referred to in this section must be in writing.\n28—Effect of authority under Part\n\t(1)\tAn authority given by a designated officer for a hospital under section 25 is sufficient authority for a medical practitioner (other than the designated officer)—\n\t(a)\tto conduct an examination of the body of the deceased person; and\n\t(b)\tto remove tissue from the body of the deceased person for the purposes of the post-mortem examination.\n\t(2)\tAn authority under section 26 is sufficient authority for a medical practitioner—\n\t(a)\tto conduct an examination of the body of the deceased person; and\n\t(b)\tto remove tissue from the body of the deceased person for the purposes of the post-mortem examination.\n\t(3)\tAn authority under section 27 is sufficient authority for the use, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes, of tissue removed from the body of a deceased person for the purposes of a post-mortem examination of the body.\n\t(4)\tAn authority given under this Part is subject to any conditions specified in the instrument of authorisation.\n28A—Post-mortem examinations to be conducted with regard for dignity of deceased\nA post-mortem examination of the body of a deceased person authorised under this Act must be conducted with regard to the dignity of the deceased person.\nPart 5—Donations for anatomical purposes\n29—Authorities for anatomy\n\t(1)\tA designated officer for a hospital may, subject to and in accordance with this section, by instrument in writing, authorise the use of the body of a person who has died in the hospital or whose dead body has been brought into the hospital—\n\t(a)\tfor the purpose of anatomical examination; or\n\t(b)\tfor the purpose of the study and teaching of the anatomy of the human body.\n\t(2)\tWhere the designated officer, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, has reason to believe that the deceased person had, during their lifetime, expressed the wish for, or consented to, the use of their body after their death for a purpose referred to in subsection (1) and had not withdrawn the wish or revoked the consent, the designated officer may authorise under subsection (1) the use of the body of the deceased person for a purpose referred to in that subsection.\n\t(3)\tWhere the designated officer, after making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances, has no reason to believe that the deceased person during their lifetime—\n\t(a)\thad expressed the wish for, or consented to, the use of their body after their death for a purpose referred to in subsection (1); or\n\t(b)\thad expressed an objection to the use of their body after their death for such a purpose,\nand is satisfied that the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has no objection to the use of the body of the deceased person for such a purpose, the designated officer may authorise under subsection (1) the use of the body of the deceased person for a purpose referred to in that subsection.\n\t(4)\tThe senior available next of kin of a person may make it known to a designated officer at any time when the person is unconscious before death that they have no objection to the use after the death of the person of the body of the person for a purpose referred to in subsection (1), but the designated officer may not act on such an indication if the person recovers consciousness.\n\t(5)\tWhere there are 2 or more persons having a description referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of senior available next of kin in section 5, an objection by 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.\n30—Authority for anatomy where body of deceased person not in hospital\n\t(1)\tWhere the body of a deceased person is in a place other than a hospital, the senior available next of kin of the deceased person may, subject to this section, by instrument in writing, authorise the use of the body of the deceased person—\n\t(a)\tfor the purpose of anatomical examination; or\n\t(b)\tfor the study and teaching of the anatomy of the human body.\n\t(2)\tSubsection (1) does not apply where the senior available next of kin of the deceased person has reason to believe that—\n\t(a)\tthe deceased person had, during their lifetime, expressed an objection to the use of their body for a purpose referred to in section 29(1) and had not withdrawn their objection; or\n\t(b)\tanother next of kin of the same or a higher order of the classes in paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of senior available next of kin in section 5 has an objection to the use of the body of the deceased person for a purpose referred to in section 29(1).\n\t(3)\tWhere—\n\t(a)\ta deceased person, during their lifetime, expressed the wish for, or consented to, the use after their death of their body for a purpose referred to in section 29(1); and\n\t(b)\tthe wish had not been withdrawn or the consent revoked; and\n\t(c)\tthe body of the deceased person is in a place other than a hospital,\nthe use of the body of the deceased person in accordance with the wish or consent is, by force of this subsection, authorised.\n31—Consent by State Coroner\n\t(1)\tIf the designated officer for a hospital or, in a case to which section 30 applies, the senior available next of kin, has reason to believe that the circumstances applicable in relation to the death of a person are such that an inquest may be held under the Coroners Act 2003 into the death, the designated officer or the senior available next of kin, as the case may be, may only authorise the use of the body of the deceased person for a purpose referred to in section 29(1) if the State Coroner has consented to the use of the body of the person.\n\t(2)\tSection 30(3) does not operate in a case in which an inquest may be held under the Coroners Act 2003 into the death of a person unless the State Coroner has consented to the use of the body of the person.\n\t(3)\tThe State Coroner may give a direction either before or after the death of a person that their consent to the use 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 use of the body of the person.\n\t(4)\tA consent or direction by the State Coroner under this section may be expressed to be subject to such conditions as are specified in the consent or the direction.\n\t(5)\tA consent or direction may be given orally by the State Coroner, and if so given, must be confirmed in writing.\n32—Effect of authority under Part\nAn authority under this Part is sufficient authority for the removal of the body of the deceased person to a school of anatomy established under Part 6 or to a school of anatomy established or licensed under a law of the Commonwealth, of another State or of a Territory, for its acceptance by the school of anatomy and for its use, subject to the regulations made under section 34, by the school of anatomy for a purpose referred to in section 29(1).\nPart 6—Schools of anatomy\n33—Establishment of schools of anatomy\n\t(1)\tIn this section—\nprescribed institution means any institution specified in the regulations as a prescribed institution.\n\t(2)\tThe Minister may, by instrument in writing, authorise the establishment within prescribed institutions of schools of anatomy for the teaching and study of anatomy and for the carrying on of the practice of anatomy.\n\t(3)\tAn instrument authorising the establishment of a school of anatomy within a prescribed institution may authorise the teaching and study of the anatomy of the whole of the human body or may authorise the teaching and study of the anatomy of specified parts of the human body.\n\t(4)\tThe Minister may, by instrument in writing, authorise the carrying out of anatomical examinations and the teaching and study of anatomy at a place, not being a place within a prescribed institution, specified in the instrument.\n\t(5)\tA place referred to in subsection (4) will be taken to be a school of anatomy established under subsection (2).\n\t(6)\tA copy of each instrument under this section must be published in the Gazette.\n34—Regulations for control etc of schools of anatomy\nThe regulations may make provision for and in relation to—\n\t(a)\tthe conditions subject to which bodies may be removed to a school of anatomy; and\n\t(b)\tthe conditions subject to which anatomical examinations and the teaching and study of anatomy and the practice of anatomy may be carried out; and\n\t(c)\tthe furnishing of returns and other information by the person in charge of a school of anatomy; and\n\t(d)\tthe precautions to be taken in regard to the receipt, custody and subsequent disposal of bodies; and\n\t(e)\tthe inspection of schools of anatomy; and\n\t(f)\tthe regulation and control of schools of anatomy.\nPart 7—Prohibition of trading in tissue\n35—Certain contracts to be void\n\t(1)\tSubject to this section, a contract or arrangement under which a person agrees, for valuable consideration, whether given or to be given to themself or to another person—\n\t(a)\tto the sale or supply of tissue from their body or from the body of another person, whether before or after their death or the death of the other person, as the case may be;\n\t(b)\tto the post-mortem examination or anatomical examination of their body after their death or of the body of another person after the death of the other person,\nis void.\n\t(2)\tA person who enters into a contract or arrangement referred to in subsection (1) is guilty of an offence.\nMaximum penalty: $20 000.\n\t(3)\tSubsection (1) does not apply to or in relation to the sale or supply of tissue (not being tissue obtained under a contract or arrangement that is by subsection (1) void) if the tissue has been subjected to processing or treatment and the sale or supply is made for use, in accordance with the directions of a medical practitioner, for therapeutic, medical or scientific purposes.\n\t(4)\tSubsection (1) does not apply to or in relation to a contract or arrangement providing only for the reimbursement of any expenses necessarily incurred by a person in relation to the removal of tissue in accordance with this Act.\n\t(5)\tNothing in this section renders inoperative a consent or authority given or purporting to have been given under this Act in relation to tissue from the body of a person or in relation to the body of a person if a person acting in pursuance of the consent or authority did not know and had no reason to know that the tissue or the body was the subject matter of a contract or arrangement referred to in subsection (1).\n\t(6)\tWhere the Minister considers it is desirable by reason of special circumstances so to do, the Minister may, by instrument in writing, approve the entering into of a contract or arrangement that would, but for the approval, be void under subsection (1) and nothing in subsection (1) or (2) applies to and in relation to a contract or agreement entered into in accordance with an approval under this subsection.\n\t(7)\tA person must not knowingly—\n\t(a)\tpublish or disseminate by newspaper, book, broadcasting, television, cinematograph or other means; or\n\t(b)\texhibit to public view in any place,\nan advertisement relating to the selling or buying in Australia of tissue or of the right to remove tissue from the bodies of persons unless the advertisement and the form and wording thereof have been approved in writing by the Minister and the advertisement contains a statement to that effect.\nMaximum penalty: $20 000.\nPart 8—Miscellaneous\n36—Exclusion of liability of persons acting in pursuance of consent etc\n\t(1)\tSubject to this Act, a person is not liable in any proceedings, whether civil or criminal, for any act done in pursuance of, by reason of, or as a result of, a consent, agreement or authority given, or purporting to have been given, in pursuance of this Act where the act is done without negligence and in good faith.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting the generality of the expression \"in good faith\", a person will be regarded as having done an act referred to in subsection (1) in good faith if the person establishes that—\n\t(a)\tthey had an honest and reasonable belief that a consent, agreement or authority required by this Act for the doing of the act had been given; or\n\t(b)\tthey had no reason to doubt that a consent, agreement or authority purporting to have been given in accordance with this Act for the doing of the act was a consent, agreement or authority given in accordance with this Act.\n37—Act does not prevent specified removals of tissue etc\n\t(1)\tNothing in this Act applies to or in relation to—\n\t(a)\tthe removal of tissue from the body of a living person in the course of a procedure or operation carried out in the interests of the health of the person by a medical practitioner with consent (express or implied) given by or on behalf of the person, or in circumstances necessary for the preservation of the life of the person; or\n\t(b)\tthe use of tissue so removed; or\n\t(c)\tthe embalming of the body of a deceased person; or\n\t(d)\tthe preparation, including the restoration of any disfigurement or mutilation, of the body of a deceased person for the purpose of interment or cremation.\n\t(2)\tIn subsection (1)(a) and (b)—\ntissue has the same meaning as in Part 2.\n38—Offences in relation to removal of tissue\n\t(1)\tA person must not—\n\t(a)\tremove tissue other than blood from the body of a living person for use for a purpose specified in section 9, 10 or 13 except in pursuance of a consent that is under Division 4 of Part 2 sufficient authority for the person to remove the tissue for use for that purpose; or\n\t(b)\tremove blood from the body of a living person for transfusion or a use specified in section 18 except in pursuance of a consent that is under Division 5 of Part 2 sufficient authority for the removal of the blood; or\n\t(c)\tremove tissue from the body of a deceased person for a purpose or use referred to in section 21(1) or 22(1) except in pursuance of an authority that is under Part 3 sufficient authority for the person to remove the tissue for that purpose or use; or\n\t(d)\tconduct a post-mortem examination of the body of a deceased person unless the post-mortem examination is made in pursuance of an authority that is under Part 4 sufficient authority for the person to conduct the post-mortem examination; or\n\t(e)\tin conducting a post-mortem examination of the body of a deceased person in pursuance of an authority referred to in paragraph (d), remove tissue from the body of a person except for a purpose for which that authority is under Part 4 sufficient authority; or\n\t(f)\tuse the body of a deceased person for the purposes of anatomical examination or the study and teaching of the anatomy of the human body except in pursuance of an authority that is under Part 5 sufficient authority for the use of the body; or\n\t(g)\tcarry out an anatomical examination of the body of a deceased person otherwise than at a school of anatomy established or deemed to have been established under Part 6.\nMaximum penalty: $20 000.\n\t(2)\tA designated officer for a hospital who issues an authority under this Act—\n\t(a)\twithout having made any of the inquiries that they are required to make under this Act; or\n\t(b)\twithout making such inquiries as are reasonable in the circumstances of the case,\nis guilty of an offence.\nMaximum penalty: $5 000.\n\t(3)\tNothing in subsection (1) applies to or in relation to—\n\t(a)\tany act for which a person is not, by reason of section 36, criminally liable; or\n\t(b)\tanything done in pursuance of an order by the State Coroner or the Coroner's Court under the Coroners Act 2003; or\n\t(c)\tany other act authorised by law.\n38A—Offence to provide false or misleading information in relation to donation of blood or semen\n\t(1)\tA donor who supplies false or misleading information in relation to the donation of blood or semen, knowing the information to be false or misleading, is guilty of an offence.\nMaximum penalty: $20 000.\n\t(2)\tIn this section—\ndonor means a person who—\n\t(a)\tdonates blood for any use or purpose contemplated by this Act; or\n\t(b)\tdonates semen for the purposes of a fertilisation procedure or for medical or scientific purposes;\nfertilisation procedure means—\n\t(a)\tartificial insemination; or\n\t(b)\tthe procedure of fertilising an ovum outside the body and transferring the fertilised ovum into the uterus.\n39—Disclosure of information\n\t(1)\tSubject to this section, a person to whom this section applies must not disclose or give to any other person any information or document whereby the identity of a person or a deceased person—\n\t(a)\tfrom whose body tissue has been removed for the purpose of transplantation or for use for other therapeutic purposes or for medical or scientific purposes; or\n\t(b)\twith respect to whom or with respect to whose body a consent or authority has been given under this Act; or\n\t(c)\tinto whose body tissue has been, is being, or may be, transplanted,\nmay become publicly known.\nMaximum penalty: $20 000.\n\t(1a)\tThis section applies to the following persons:\n\t(a)\ta person who (whether before or after the commencement of this subsection) undertakes an activity or function, or provides a service, related to the removal, use or transplantation of tissue, post‑mortem examinations or the donation of bodies for anatomical purposes, other than a person who undertakes a function under this Act by virtue of being the next of kin of the person to whom the information or document referred to in subsection (1) relates;\n\t(b)\ta person engaged to work for or with a person referred to in paragraph (a) (including through an employment contract, through a contract for services, through a volunteer or student placement arrangement and in prescribed circumstances) at the time the activity or function was undertaken, or service was provided, or at a later time;\n\t(c)\tif a person referred to in paragraph (a) is engaged to work at, or on behalf of, an entity to undertake the activity or function, or provide the service—\n\t(i)\tthat entity (provided that the entity is a person); or\n\t(ii)\ta person engaged to work at or for that entity (including through an employment contract, through a contract for services, through a volunteer or student placement arrangement and in prescribed circumstances) at the time the activity or function was undertaken, or service was provided, or at a later time,\nprovided that the person's knowledge of, or access to, the information or document referred to in subsection (1) was only by reason of being such a person.\n\t(2)\tSubsection (1) does not apply to or in relation to any information or document disclosed—\n\t(a)\tin pursuance of an order of a court or when otherwise required by law; or\n\t(b)\tfor the purposes of hospital administration or genuine medical research; or\n\t(c)\twith the consent of—\n\t(i)\tthe person to whom the information or document relates (the relevant person), provided that the relevant person is not a child at the time of the consent; or\n\t(ii)\tif the relevant person is a child at the time of the consent—the child's parent; or\n\t(iii)\tif the relevant person is a deceased person at the time of the consent—the person's next of kin or legal personal representative; or\n\t(d)\twhen the circumstances in which the disclosure is made are such that the disclosure is or would be privileged.\n40A—Delegation\n\t(1)\tThe Minister may delegate a function conferred on the Minister under this Act to a specified body or person (including a person for the time being holding or acting in a specified office or position).\n\t(2)\tA delegation under this section—\n\t(a)\tmust be by instrument in writing; and\n\t(b)\tmay be absolute or conditional; and\n\t(c)\tdoes not derogate from the ability of the Minister to act in any matter; and\n\t(d)\tis revocable at will.\n\t(3)\tA function delegated under this section may, if the instrument of delegation so provides, be further delegated.\n41—Regulations\n\t(1)\tThe Governor may make such regulations as are contemplated by this Act, or as are necessary or expedient for the purposes of this Act.\n\t(2)\tWithout limiting the generality of subsection (1), the regulations may—\n\t(a)\tprovide for notices setting out information relating to the operation and effect of this Act and for the furnishing of such notices to persons prior to their giving any consent or agreement under this Act; and\n\t(ab)\tprescribe the form in which any consent or authority under this Act is to be obtained; and\n\t(b)\tprescribe penalties not exceeding $2 500 for contravention of, or non-compliance with, a regulation (including a regulation referred to in section 34).\nLegislative history\nNotes\n\t•\tPlease note—References in the legislation to other legislation or instruments or to titles of bodies or offices are not automatically updated as part of the program for the revision and publication of legislation and therefore may be obsolete.\n\t•\tEarlier versions of this Act (historical versions) are listed at the end of the legislative history.\n\t•\tFor further information relating to the Act and subordinate legislation made under the Act see the Index of South Australian Statutes or www.legislation.sa.gov.au.\nLegislation repealed by principal Act\nThe Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1983 repealed the following:\nAnatomy Act 1884\nSale of Human Blood Act 1962\nTransplantation of Human Tissue Act 1974\nPrincipal Act and amendments\nNew entries appear in bold.\nYear\nNo\nTitle\nAssent\nCommencement\n1983\n11\n Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1983\n5.5.1983\n1.7.1984 (Gazette 17.5.1984 p1160) except ss 33 & 34—4.1.1996 (Gazette 4.1.1996 p3)\n1984\n67\n Transplantation and Anatomy Act Amendment Act 1984\n18.10.1984\n18.10.1984\n1985\n67\n Transplantation and Anatomy Act Amendment Act 1985\n6.6.1985\n6.6.1985\n1987\n41\n South Australian Health Commission Act Amendment Act 1987\n30.4.1987\n1.7.1987 except ss 13 & 20—1.7.1988 (Gazette 25.6.1987 p1634)\n2000\n1\n Transplantation and Anatomy (Consent to Blood Donation) Amendment Act 2000\n6.4.2000\n6.4.2000\n2000\n34\n South Australian Health Commission (Administrative Arrangements) Amendment Act 2000\n6.7.2000\nSch 1 (cl 19)—6.7.2000 (Gazette 6.7.2000 p5)\n2003\n33\n Coroners Act 2003\n31.7.2003\nSch (cll 19—23)—1.7.2005 (Gazette 23.6.2005 p1899) \n2005\n75\n Transplantation and Anatomy (Post-Mortem Examinations) Amendment Act 2005\n8.12.2005\n29.11.2007 (Gazette 29.11.2007 p4383)\n2006\n43\n Statutes Amendment (Domestic Partners) Act 2006\n14.12.2006\nPt 87 (s 213)—1.6.2007 (Gazette 26.4.2007 p1352)\n2013\n20\n Burial and Cremation Act 2013\n14.6.2013\nSch 1 (cl 8)—1.2.2014 (Gazette 16.1.2014 p120)\n2024\n64\nTransplantation and Anatomy (Disclosure of Information and Delegation) Amendment Act 2024\n5.12.2024\n6.2.2025 (Gazette 6.2.2025 p110)\nProvisions amended\nNew entries appear in bold.\nEntries that relate to provisions that have been deleted appear in italics.\nProvision\nHow varied\nCommencement\nLong title\namended under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n1.7.2005\nPt 1\n\n\nss 2—4\nomitted under Legislation Revision and Publication Act 2002\n1.7.2005\ns 5\n\n\ns 5(1)\n\n\nchild\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ndomestic partner\ninserted by 43/2006 s 213(1)\n1.6.2007\nCommission\ndeleted by 34/2000 Sch 1 cl 19(a)\n6.7.2000\nnext of kin\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\nsenior available next of kin\namended by 43/2006 s 213(2)\n1.6.2007\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\nspouse\ninserted by 43/2006 s 213(3)\n1.6.2007\ns 5(2)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 5A\ninserted by 75/2005 s 4\n29.11.2007\nheading\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 6\namended by 41/1987 s 35\n1.7.1987\n\namended by 34/2000 Sch 1 cl 19(b)\n6.7.2000\nPt 2\n\n\ns 7\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 8\n\n\nheading\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 9\n\n\ns 9(1) and (2)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 10\n\n\ns 10(1) and (2)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 11\n\n\nheading\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 13\n\n\nheading\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 13(4)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 14\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 15\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 16\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 17\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 17A\ninserted by 1/2000 s 2\n6.4.2000\ns 18\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\nPt 3\n\n\ns 21\n\n\ns 21(2)—(5)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 22\n\n\ns 22(2) and (3)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 23\n\n\ns 23(1)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 19(1), (2))\n1.7.2005\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 23(2)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 19(3), (4))\n1.7.2005\ns 23(3)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 19(5), (6))\n1.7.2005\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 23(4)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 19(7))\n1.7.2005\ns 23(5)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 19(8))\n1.7.2005\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 24\n\n\nheading\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 24(1)\nsubstituted by 67/1984 s 2(a)\n18.10.1984\ns 24(2) and (3)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 24(4)\ninserted by 67/1984 s 2(b)\n18.10.1984\nauthorised person\namended by 41/1987 s 35\n1.7.1987\n\namended by 34/2000 Sch 1 cl 19(c)\n6.7.2000\nPt 4 before substitution by 75/2005\n\n\ns 27\n\n\ns 27(1)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 20(1), (2))\n1.7.2005\ns 27(2)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 20(3), (4))\n1.7.2005\ns 27(3)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 20(5))\n1.7.2005\ns 27(4)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 20(6))\n1.7.2005\ns 27(5)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 20(7))\n1.7.2005\ns 28\n\n\ns 28(2)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 21(1), (2))\n1.7.2005\nPt 4\nsubstituted by 75/2005 s 5\n29.11.2007\ns 25\n\n\ns 25(1)—(3)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 25(5)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 25(7)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 25(9)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 26\n\n\ns 26(2)—(5)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 27\n\n\ns 27(1)—(4)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 28\n\n\nheading\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\nPt 5\n\n\ns 29\n\n\ns 29(2)—(5)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 30\n\n\ns 30(2) and (3)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 31\n\n\ns 31(1)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 22(1), (2))\n1.7.2005\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 31(2)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 22(3), (4)\n1.7.2005\ns 31(3)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 22(5))\n1.7.2005\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 31(4)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 22(6))\n1.7.2005\ns 31(5)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 22(7))\n1.7.2005\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 32\n\n\nheading\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\nPt 6\n\n\ns 33\n\n\ns 33(5) and (6)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 34\namended by 20/2013 Sch 1 cl 8\n1.2.2014\nheading\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\nPt 7\n\n\ns 35\n\n\ns 35(1)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 35(2)\namended by 75/2005 s 6(1)\n29.11.2007\ns 35(6)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 35(7)\namended by 75/2005 s 6(2)\n29.11.2007\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\nPt 8\n\n\ns 36\n\n\ns 36(2)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 37\n\n\ns 37(2)\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 38\n\n\ns 38(1)\namended by 75/2005 s 7(1)\n29.11.2007\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 38(2)\namended by 75/2005 s 7(2)\n29.11.2007\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 38(3)\namended by 33/2003 Sch (cl 23))\n1.7.2005\ns 38A\ninserted by 67/1985 s 2\n6.6.1985\ns 38A(1)\namended by 75/2005 s 8\n29.11.2007\ns 39\n\n\ns 39(1)\namended by 75/2005 s 9\n29.11.2007\n\namended by 64/2024 s 3(1), (2)\n6.2.2025\ns 39(1a)\ninserted by 64/2024 s 3(3)\n6.2.2025\ns 39(2)\namended by 64/2024 s 3(4), (5) & Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 40\ndeleted by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\ns 40A\ninserted by 64/2024 s 4\n6.2.2025\ns 41\n\n\ns 41(2)\namended by 75/2005 s 10(1), (2)\n29.11.2007\n\namended by 64/2024 Sch 1\n6.2.2025\nHistorical versions\nReprint No 1—15.1.1992\n\nReprint No 2—6.4.2000\n\nReprint No 3—6.7.2000\n\n1.7.2005\n\n1.6.2007\n\n29.11.2007\n\n1.2.2014\n\n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"summary":{"complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"Unable to assess scope or any amendments — the legislative text was not accessible from the provided source. No determination can be made about whether the Act's scope changed from its original intent."},"complexity_factors":["No legislative text was returned — only a website error page (HTTP 404)","Impossible to assess actual complexity of the Act without its text","Score of 1 reflects absence of analysable content, not simplicity of the underlying law","The website migration (pre/post 24 March 2026) appears to have broken the provided URL"],"plain_english_summary":"The Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1983 (SA) sets legal rules for organ and tissue donation, anatomical use of human bodies, and authorisations for post‑mortem procedures, affecting donors, families, medical practitioners, hospitals and research institutions. It matters because it determines who can consent and how bodies and body parts may be used for transplantation, education and research.\n\nNote: the Act text couldn’t be retrieved from the SA Legislation site (404); consult legislation.sa.gov.au or a lawyer for the official text."},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's scope has been changed repeatedly since enactment. Key amendments include insertion of blood‑donation consent rules (s 17A) in 2000, a substantive rewrite of post‑mortem provisions in 2005, regulatory adjustments tied to burial/cremation law in 2013, and 2024 amendments that broaden disclosure rules and add explicit delegation powers (notably changes to s 39 and insertion of s 40A). Recent amendments also updated definitions (eg. child, next of kin) and consent procedures, altering decision‑making and disclosure boundaries."},"complexity_factors":["Layered consent regimes for living donors, children and post‑mortem situations (see Parts 2–4: ss 9–20, 21–27, 25–28)","Different age thresholds and special rules for children and blood donations (s 5 definitions; s 17A; ss 11, 19)","Multiple decision‑makers with overlapping powers: designated officer, Minister, State Coroner, senior available next of kin and a statutory Committee for child donations (ss 6, 13(4)–(5), 21–23, 25–26)","Conditional Coroner consent and directions that can override or restrict other authorisations (ss 23, 25(5), 26(3), 31(1))","Ministerial discretion and delegation powers (s 40A) and statutory rule‑making/regulation powers (s 41, s 34)","Explicit prohibition and carve‑outs on commercial dealings in tissue with specified exceptions and Ministerial approvals (s 35(1)–(6))","Criminal offences, penalties and civil liability protections that interact with authorisations (ss 35(2), 38, 36)","Privacy and disclosure constraints on identity‑linked information with detailed application scope and exceptions (s 39 and s 39(1a)–(2))"],"plain_english_summary":"This Act sets the rules for when and how human tissue and bodies in South Australia may be removed, retained and used for transplantation, post‑mortem investigation and anatomical teaching. It specifies who can give consent, who may authorise removals, criminal offences, privacy limits and controls on schools of anatomy.\n\nIt affects living donors and their families, deceased persons' next‑of‑kin, hospitals, medical practitioners, a Ministerial Committee and schools of anatomy, and matters for compliance, decision‑making discretion and penalties."},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 1983 Act focused primarily on transplantation and anatomy. Over 40+ years of amendments, the scope has expanded significantly: (1) addition of blood donation provisions (2000); (2) major restructuring of post-mortem examination rules (2005); (3) inclusion of domestic partners alongside spouses (2006); (4) updated cross-references to the Coroners Act 2003; (5) expanded privacy and information disclosure provisions covering contractors, volunteers, and students (2024); (6) new delegation powers (2024). The Act now functions as a comprehensive framework for human tissue governance rather than just transplantation and anatomy."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping consent pathways depending on whether donor is living/deceased, adult/child, in hospital/outside hospital","Hierarchical definition of 'senior available next of kin' with priority ordering (spouse/partner > adult children > parents > siblings)","Nested exceptions and conditions: e.g., section 21(3) has four sub-conditions (a)-(d) that must be satisfied, with alternative pathways in subsections (2) and (4)","Cross-references to Coroners Act 2003 for reportable deaths and inquests (sections 23, 25, 31)","Different age thresholds: 'child' defined as under 18 (unmarried) in Part 2, but under 16 (unmarried) in Division 5 for blood donations","Special Committee approval required for child donations (section 13(3)-(5)) with specific professional composition requirements","24-hour cooling-off period for non-regenerative tissue from living donors (section 10(1))","Brain death certification requirements requiring two doctors with 5+ years experience (section 24(2))","Ministerial override provisions for post-mortems with specific public health justification requirements (section 25(3))","Multiple layers of protection from liability (section 36) and specific offence provisions (sections 38, 38A)","Recent amendments (2024) updating gender-neutral language and expanding information disclosure provisions"],"plain_english_summary":"This South Australian law sets the rules for removing human body parts (tissue) for medical purposes. It covers four main situations:\n\n**1. Living donors**\n- **Adults** can donate **regenerative tissue** (body parts that grow back, like bone marrow or skin) or **non-regenerative tissue** (organs like kidneys that don't grow back). Non-regenerative donations require a 24-hour cooling-off period.\n- **Children** generally cannot donate organs, but parents can consent to donating regenerative tissue if a special Committee (with a lawyer, doctor, and psychologist/social worker) approves it and the child agrees.\n- **Blood donations** are treated separately and have simpler rules—adults can consent freely, while parents can consent for children over 16 with medical advice.\n\n**2. Deceased donors**\n- If someone dies in hospital, a **designated officer** (a specially appointed doctor) can authorise tissue removal if the person consented before death, or if their senior next of kin doesn't object.\n- If death occurs outside hospital, the **senior next of kin** (spouse/partner first, then adult children, then parents, then siblings) can authorise removal.\n- The **State Coroner** must approve if the death might need an inquest.\n- **Brain death** requires confirmation by two senior doctors before tissue removal from someone on life support.\n\n**3. Post-mortem examinations (autopsies)**\n- Similar consent rules apply: either the deceased consented before death, or the senior next of kin consents (and the deceased didn't object).\n- The **Minister can override** family objections for public health reasons, but must try to persuade the family first.\n- Tissue removed during autopsies can be used for research or therapy with proper consent.\n- All post-mortems must respect the dignity of the deceased.\n\n**4. Body donation for anatomy (medical teaching)**\n- People can donate their whole body to **schools of anatomy** (medical schools) for teaching and research.\n- Consent works similarly to tissue donation—either the deceased's wish or next of kin agreement.\n\n**Key protections**\n- **No buying or selling** of body parts (contracts are void and criminal), though expenses can be reimbursed.\n- **Privacy** is strictly protected—identities of donors and recipients must be kept confidential.\n- **Good faith protection**—doctors acting properly under the Act are protected from lawsuits.\n- **False information** about blood or semen donations is a criminal offence.\n\n**Who it affects:** Anyone in South Australia who might donate or receive tissue, doctors, hospitals, coroners, medical schools, and families making decisions after a loved one's death."},"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"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983","history":"/api/acts/transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983/history","analysis":"/api/acts/transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/transplantation-and-anatomy-act-1983/documents"}}