16
December 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting
16 December 2025. It also includes any commencement, amendment, repeal or expiry affecting
this republished law to 16 December 2025.
The legislation history and amendment history of the republished law are set out in endnotes 3
and 4.
Kinds of republications
The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office prepares 2 kinds of republications of ACT laws (see the ACT
legislation register at www.legislation.act.gov.au):
• authorised republications to which the Legislation Act 2001 applies
• unauthorised republications.
The status of this republication appears on the bottom of each page.
Editorial changes
The Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 authorises the Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial
amendments and other changes of a formal nature when preparing a law for republication.
Editorial changes do not change the effect of the law, but have effect as if they had been made by
an Act commencing on the republication date (see Legislation Act 2001, s 115 and s 117). The
changes are made if the Parliamentary Counsel considers they are desirable to bring the law into
line, or more closely into line, with current legislative drafting practice.
This republication does not include amendments made under part 11.3 (see endnote 1).
Uncommenced provisions and amendments
If a provision of the republished law has not commenced, the symbol U appears immediately
before the provision heading. Any uncommenced amendments that affect this republished law
are accessible on the ACT legislation register (www.legislation.act.gov.au). For more
information, see the home page for this law on the register.
Modifications
If a provision of the republished law is affected by a current modification, the
symbol M appears immediately before the provision heading. The text of the modifying
provision appears in the endnotes. For the legal status of modifications, see the Legislation
Act 2001, section 95.
Penalties
At the republication date, the value of a penalty unit for an offence against this law is $160 for an
individual and $810 for a corporation (see Legislation Act 2001, s 133).
contents 1
Page
1 Name of Act 2
3 Dictionary 2
4 Notes 2
5 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc 2
6 Application of Act 3
7 Objects of Act 4
8 Principles of Act 4
9 Meaning of ART treatment 4
Page
contents 2 Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024
10 Meaning of ART service 5
11 Meaning of ART provider 5
12 Eligibility for registration 6
13 Application for registration 6
14 Application for renewal 7
15 Deciding applications 7
16 Conditions on registration 8
17 Term of registration 8
18 Cancellation of registration 9
19 Requirement to notify director-general about certain events 9
20 Register of ART providers 10
21 Requirement to be registered 12
22 Performance and supervision of ART services 12
23 Requirement to offer counselling before providing ART service 13
24 Requirement to give certain information before providing ART service 14
25 Disclosure of personal health information by ART provider 16
26 Provision of ART treatment to child or young person 18
27 Infection control standards 18
28 Requirement to obtain consent of gamete provider 19
29 Form and content of consent 19
30 Modification or withdrawal of consent 20
31 Requirement to verify identity of gamete provider 20
32 Requirement to confirm consent in certain cases 21
33 Use of gamete to create embryo outside body 22
34 Use of gametes or embryos in ART treatment 23
35 Use of gametes or embryos for research 23
36 Posthumous use of gametes or embryos 23
Page
contents 3
37 Authorisation of posthumous use 24
38 Use of gametes obtained more than 5 years ago 25
39 Donated gametes or embryos—time limits on use 26
40 Donated gametes or embryos—limits on number of families 27
41 Requirement to give information about number of families 28
42 Use of gametes to create embryo with close family member 29
Division 4.4 Storage and transfer of gametes and embryos
43 Storage of gametes or embryos 30
44 Supply of gametes or embryos to another person 31
45 Export of gametes or embryos from ACT 32
46 Requirement to collect information about gamete provider 32
47 Requirement to collect information about person undergoing ART
treatment 33
48 Requirement to keep records 34
49 Information sharing between ART providers 36
50 Definitions—pt 5 37
51 Meaning of mature donor conceived person etc—pt 5 38
52 Donor register 38
53 Mandatory information 39
54 Voluntary information about donors 40
55 Voluntary information about donor conceived people 41
56 Voluntary information about informal donor arrangements 42
57 Voluntary information about personal characteristics 43
58 Voluntary information about contact preferences 43
59 Information entered on director-general’s own initiative 43
Division 5.3 Measures to ensure accuracy of information
60 Requirement to ensure accuracy 45
61 Direction to give information about donor conceived person 46
62 Information sharing between director-general and registrar-general 47
Page
contents 4 Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024
63 Disclosure of information in donor register generally 47
64 Disclosure to subject of information 48
65 Disclosure to donor 48
66 Disclosure to donor conceived person—adult or assessed by
counsellor 49
66A Disclosure to donor conceived person—16 or 17 years old and not
assessed by counsellor 49
67 Disclosure to parent of donor conceived child or young person 51
68 Disclosure of information on director-general’s initiative 52
69 Contacting donor conceived person for consent to disclosure 54
70 Consent to disclosure generally 55
Part 6 Pre-commencement records and other
information held by ART providers
71 Definitions—pt 6 56
Division 6.2 Retention of pre-commencement records
72 Requirement to retain records 56
73 Transfer of records 57
74 Director-general may authorise destruction of records 58
75 Meaning of accessible information—div 6.3 58
76 Application for accessible information about donor 59
77 Disclosure of accessible information by ART provider 60
Division 7.1 Preliminary
78 Definitions—pt 7 61
79 Giving improvement notice 61
80 Content of improvement notice 62
81 Extension of compliance period 62
82 Revoking improvement notice 63
83 Contravention of improvement notice 63
Page
contents 5
84 Giving prohibition notice 64
85 Content of prohibition notice 64
86 Ending prohibition 65
87 Contravention of prohibition notice 66
88 Direction to give information about potential notice recipients 66
89 Definitions—pt 8 68
90 Appointment of authorised people 69
91 Identity cards 69
92 Requirements before certain powers can be exercised 70
93 Privilege against self-incrimination does not apply 71
94 Direction to give information 72
95 Direction to give name and address 72
96 Powers of authorised person to enter premises 73
97 Obtaining consent to entry 74
98 General powers on entry to premises 75
99 Definitions—div 8.5 76
100 Application for warrant 77
101 Magistrate may refuse to consider application for warrant until
authorised person gives relevant information 77
102 Decision on application for warrant 77
103 Warrant issued on remote application 78
104 Announcement before entry under warrant 79
105 Warrant etc to be given to occupier 80
106 Occupier entitled to watch search etc 80
Page
contents 6 Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024
107 Authorised person may seize things at premises 81
108 Moving things to another place for examination or processing under
warrant 82
109 Owner etc may access seized things 83
110 Person must not interfere with seized things 83
111 Authorised person must give receipt for seized things 83
112 Return of seized things 84
113 Order disallowing seizure 85
114 Damage etc to be minimised 86
115 Compensation for exercise of enforcement powers 87
116 Court to notify director-general of offence 88
117 Destruction or falsification of records 88
118 Criminal liability of executive officer 88
119 Evidentiary certificates 90
120 Disclosure of information by ART providers and others 90
121 Protection of public officials from liability 91
Part 10 Notification and review of decisions
122 Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 10 92
123 Reviewable decision notices 92
124 Applications for review 92
125 Determination of fees 93
126 Applying, adopting or incorporating documents in regulations 93
127 Regulation-making power 94
128 Definitions—pt 12 95
129 Use, supply and export of gametes and embryos 95
130 Storage of gametes and embryos 95
Page
contents 7
131 Completion of family—subsequent gametes where person became
pregnant before end of transitional period 96
132 Completion of family—embryos created before end of transitional
period 96
132A Completion of family—subsequent gametes where embryo created
before end of transitional period 97
132B Completion of family—gametes donated and allocated before end of
transitional period 97
132C Completion of family—subsequent gametes where gamete allocated
before end of transitional period 98
132D Donor taken to consent to use of gametes and embryos for completion
of family 99
132E Certain things done or omitted to be done not invalid 100
133 Expiry—pt 12 100
Dictionary 101
1 About the endnotes 107
2 Abbreviation key 107
3 Legislation history 108
4 Amendment history 109
5 Earlier republications 112
An Act to regulate assisted reproductive technology services, and for other
purposes
1
Name of Act
1 Name of Act
This Act is the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024.
3
Dictionary
3 Dictionary
The dictionary at the end of this Act is part of this Act.
Note 1 The dictionary at the end of this Act defines certain terms used in this
Act, and includes references (signpost definitions) to other terms defined
elsewhere.
For example, the signpost definition ‘child—see the Children and Young
People Act 2008, section 11.’ means that the term ‘child’ is defined in
that Act and the definition applies to this Act.
Note 2 A definition in the dictionary (including a signpost definition) applies to
the entire Act unless the definition, or another provision of the Act,
provides otherwise or the contrary intention otherwise appears (see
Legislation Act, s 155 and s 156 (1)).
4
Notes
4 Notes
A note included in this Act is explanatory and is not part of this Act.
5
Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc
5 Offences against Act—application of Criminal Code etc
Other legislation applies in relation to offences against this Act.
Note 1 Criminal Code
The Criminal Code, ch 2 applies to all offences against this Act (see
Code, pt 2.1).
The chapter sets out the general principles of criminal responsibility
(including burdens of proof and general defences), and defines terms used
for offences to which the Code applies (eg conduct, intention,
recklessness and strict liability).
Note 2 Penalty units
The Legislation Act, s 133 deals with the meaning of offence penalties
that are expressed in penalty units.
Preliminary Part 1
6
Application of Act
6 Application of Act
This Act does not limit or otherwise affect—
(a) the regulation of a public health risk activity under the Public
Health Act 1997; or
(b) the operation of the following:
(i) the Human Cloning and Embryo Research Act 2004;
(ii) the Mutual Recognition Act 1992 (Cwlth);
(iii) the Parentage Act 2004;
(iv) the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Act 1997 (Cwlth).
7
Objects of Act
7 Objects of Act
The objects of this Act are to regulate—
(a) the provision of assisted reproductive technology services; and
(b) access to information in relation to assisted reproductive
technology services.
8
Principles of Act
8 Principles of Act
The following principles must be given effect in administering this
Act, or in carrying out an activity regulated by this Act:
(a) the welfare and interests of people born, or to be born, as a result
of assisted reproductive technology treatment must be protected;
(b) assisted reproductive technology treatment must never be used
to exploit, in trade or otherwise—
(i) the reproductive capabilities of individuals; or
(ii) children born as a result of assisted reproductive
technology treatment;
(c) donor conceived people have a right to information about their
donors;
(d) the health and wellbeing of people undergoing assisted
reproductive technology treatment must be protected.
9
Meaning of ART treatment
9 Meaning of ART treatment
ART treatment (or assisted reproductive technology treatment)—
(a) means medical treatment or a procedure that procures, or
attempts to procure, pregnancy in a person other than by sexual
intercourse; and
Objects and important concepts Part 2
(b) includes a related treatment or procedure prescribed by
regulation; but
(c) does not include self-insemination.
Examples
• artificial insemination (other than self-insemination)
• in-vitro fertilisation
• gamete intrafallopian transfer
10
Meaning of ART service
10 Meaning of ART service
ART service means any of the following provided for fee or reward,
or in carrying on a business (whether or not for profit):
(a) ART treatment;
(b) storage of gametes and embryos for use in ART treatment;
(c) a procedure to obtain a gamete from a gamete provider for use
in ART treatment or for research in relation to ART treatment.
11
Meaning of ART provider
11 Meaning of ART provider
(a) means a person who provides an ART service; but
(b) does not include a person who provides an ART service on
behalf of a registered ART provider under a contract of
employment or contract for services.
12
Eligibility for registration
12 Eligibility for registration
(1) A person is eligible to be registered as an ART provider if—
(a) the person holds ART accreditation; and
(b) the person has not been convicted or found guilty of an offence
against ART legislation; and
(c) the person is not currently prohibited; and
(d) for a person that is a corporation—no executive officer of the
corporation—
(i) is an executive officer of another corporation that is
currently prohibited; or
(ii) was an executive officer of another corporation that is
currently prohibited when the prohibition took effect; or
(iii) has been convicted or found guilty of an offence because
of section 118 (Criminal liability of executive officer).
(2) In this section:
prohibited means prohibited under division 7.3 from carrying on a
business that provides ART services.
13
Application for registration
13 Application for registration
(1) A person may apply to the director-general for registration as an
ART provider.
(2) An application for registration must include the following:
(a) the applicant’s name;
(b) the address of each premises at which the applicant proposes to
provide ART services;
(c) the name of each doctor who is to perform or supervise
ART services provided by the applicant;
(d) the name of each person who is to provide counselling services
in relation to ART services provided by the applicant;
(e) evidence that the applicant holds ART accreditation;
(f) any other information or document prescribed by regulation.
14
Application for renewal
14 Application for renewal
(1) A person may apply to the director-general for renewal of their
registration as an ART provider within 3 months before, and
3 months after, the registration ends.
Note If a person applies for renewal before the registration ends, it continues
in force until the application is decided (see s 17 (2)).
(2) An application for renewal must include the following:
(a) information and documents mentioned in section 13 (2) that
have changed since last given to the director-general;
(b) evidence that the applicant holds ART accreditation;
(c) any other information or document prescribed by regulation.
15
Deciding applications
15 Deciding applications
(1) The director-general must approve an application for registration as
an ART provider if satisfied—
(a) the applicant is eligible to be registered; and
(b) the application is made in accordance with section 13.
(2) The director-general must approve an application for renewal of
registration as an ART provider if satisfied—
(a) the applicant is eligible to be registered; and
(b) the application is made in accordance with section 14.
(3) The director-general must give written notice of their decision to
approve or refuse an application to the applicant.
16 Conditions on registration
(1) A person’s registration as an ART provider is subject to any
conditions the director-general considers appropriate.
(2) However, before imposing a condition under subsection (1), the
director-general must—
(a) give the person a written notice—
(i) stating the proposed condition; and
(ii) stating the reason for the proposed condition; and
(iii) telling the person that the person may give a written
response to the director-general about the matters stated in
the notice not later than 28 days after the person receives
the notice; and
(b) consider any response given to the director-general in
accordance with paragraph (a) (iii).
(3) A condition imposed under this section must not be inconsistent with
a condition imposed on the person’s ART accreditation and, to the
extent of any inconsistency, is invalid.
17
Term of registration
17 Term of registration
(1) A person’s registration as an ART provider—
(a) begins—
(i) on the day the director-general gives the person notice of
their decision to approve the person’s application for
registration under section 15; or
(ii) for a renewed registration—on the day the director-general
approves the person’s application for renewal under
section 15; and
(b) ends on the earliest of—
(i) 5 years after the day the registration begins; or
(ii) the day the registration is cancelled under section 18.
(2) However, if a person applies for renewal of their registration in
accordance with section 14 before the registration ends, it continues
in force until the application is decided.
18
Cancellation of registration
18 Cancellation of registration
The director-general must cancel a person’s registration as an
ART provider if the person—
(a) gives notice of the person ceasing to provide ART services
under section 19; or
(b) stops holding ART accreditation; or
(c) is prohibited under division 7.3 from carrying on a business that
provides ART services for 12 months or longer.
19
Requirement to notify director-general about certain
19 Requirement to notify director-general about certain
events
(1) A registered ART provider must give the director-general written
notice of the following events within 7 days after the event happens:
(a) the ART provider ceasing to provide ART services;
(b) a change of premises at which the ART provider provides
ART services;
(c) a change to the doctors who perform or supervise ART services
provided by the ART provider;
(d) a change to the ART provider’s ART accreditation;
(e) the ART provider contravening any ART legislation;
(f) if the ART provider is a corporation—a change to the address of
its registered office or principal place of business;
(g) a change to the people who provide counselling services in
relation to ART services provided by the ART provider;
(h) any other event prescribed by regulation.
(2) A registered ART provider commits an offence if it fails to comply
with subsection (1).
20
Register of ART providers
20 Register of ART providers
(1) The director-general must keep a register of registered
ART providers.
(2) The register must contain the following information for each
registered ART provider:
(a) the ART provider’s name;
(b) the address of each premises at which the ART provider
provides ART services;
(c) the name of each doctor who performs or supervises
ART services provided by the ART provider;
(d) the name of each person who provides counselling services in
relation to ART services provided by the ART provider.
(3) The register may contain any other information the director-general
considers appropriate.
(4) The director-general must make the information in subsection (2)
available to the public.
(5) However, the director-general must not make information about a
person available to the public if—
(a) the person applies, in writing, for the information not to be made
available to the public; and
(b) the director-general is satisfied that the publication of the
information would, or could reasonably be expected to,
endanger anyone’s life or physical safety.
21
Requirement to be registered
21 Requirement to be registered
(a) provides an ART service; and
(b) is not a registered ART provider.
(2) A person commits an offence if the person—
(a) advertises or holds out that the person is a registered ART
provider; and
(b) is not a registered ART provider.
22
Performance and supervision of ART services
22 Performance and supervision of ART services
An ART provider commits an offence if—
(a) it provides ART services; and
(b) the ART services are not performed or supervised by a doctor.
23
Requirement to offer counselling before providing
23 Requirement to offer counselling before providing
(1) An ART provider must offer counselling services—
(a) before providing ART treatment—
(i) to a person seeking to undergo the treatment; and
(ii) to a domestic partner of the person seeking to undergo the
treatment; and
(b) before obtaining a gamete—to a person proposing to provide the
gamete to the ART provider; and
(c) before using a gamete, or an embryo created from the gamete—
to the gamete provider if—
(i) the gamete was not originally obtained as a donated
gamete; and
(ii) the gamete provider proposes to donate the gamete or
embryo for use by someone other than the gamete provider
or the gamete provider’s domestic partner.
(2) The counselling services must be available in the ACT, either in
person or remotely.
(3) A regulation may prescribe a qualification a person must hold to
provide counselling services.
(4) An ART provider commits an offence if it fails to offer counselling
services in accordance with this section.
Maximum penalty: 15 penalty units.
(5) Nothing in this section—
(a) prevents a person providing counselling services from charging
a reasonable fee for the services; or
(b) requires a person to use counselling services.
24
Requirement to give certain information before providing
24 Requirement to give certain information before providing
(1) An ART provider must—
(a) tell a person mentioned in an item in table 24, column 2, about
the matters mentioned in the item, column 3, before providing
an ART service mentioned in the item, column 4; and
(b) confirm that the person understands the matters.
Table 24
column 1
item
column 2
column 3
matters
column 4
1 person seeking to undergo
ART treatment not using
donated gametes
basic matters ART treatment to the
2 person seeking to undergo
ART treatment using
donated gametes
extended matters ART treatment to the
3 person proposing to
provide a gamete (other
than as a donated gamete)
basic matters obtaining the gamete from
the person
4 person proposing to
provide a donated gamete
extended matters obtaining the gamete from
the person
5 a gamete provider from
whom the gamete was not
originally obtained as a
donated gamete
extended matters using the gamete, or an
embryo created from the
gamete, in providing
ART treatment to a person
other than the gamete
provider or the gamete
provider’s domestic partner
(2) An ART provider commits an offence if—
(a) it fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) to tell
a person about a matter or confirm that a person understands a
matter; and
(b) the matter is not prescribed by regulation.
(3) An ART provider commits an offence if—
(a) it fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (1) to tell
a person about a matter or confirm that a person understands a
matter; and
(b) the matter is prescribed by regulation under the definition of
basic matters, paragraph (c) or extended matters, paragraph (h).
basic matters means—
(a) the availability of counselling services under section 23; and
(b) the effect of a gamete provider’s consent under section 29,
including how and when consent may be modified or withdrawn
under section 30; and
(c) any other matter prescribed by regulation.
extended matters means—
(a) basic matters; and
(b) the ART provider’s obligations in relation to collecting
information about the person and their donor conceived
offspring; and
(c) the application of the Criminal Code, part 3.4 (False or
misleading statements, information and documents) to the
person, including in relation to information given to the
ART provider by the person; and
(d) the existence of the donor register and the information to be kept
in the register about the person and their donor conceived
offspring; and
(e) the person’s right to obtain information in the donor register
about themselves; and
(f) the person’s right, and the right of their donor conceived
offspring, to obtain information in the donor register about other
people; and
(g) the right of other people to obtain information in the donor
register about the person and their donor conceived offspring;
and
(h) any other matter prescribed by regulation.
25
Disclosure of personal health information by
25 Disclosure of personal health information by
ART provider
(1) An ART provider may disclose personal health information in
accordance with this section if a doctor certifies that the disclosure is
necessary to—
(a) prevent or reduce a serious and imminent risk to anyone’s life
or physical, mental or emotional health; or
(b) warn the person to whom the information is disclosed about the
existence of a medical condition that may be harmful to the
person or the person’s children (including future children).
(2) The ART provider may disclose personal health information about a
donor to the following people:
(a) a person born as a result of ART treatment using the donor’s
donated gamete if—
(i) the person is at least 16 years old; or
(ii) the ART provider is satisfied the person is sufficiently
mature to access the information;
(b) a parent of a child or young person born as a result of
ART treatment using the donor’s donated gamete;
(c) a person who is pregnant as a result of ART treatment using the
donor’s donated gamete.
(3) The ART provider may disclose personal health information about a
donor conceived person to their donor or donor sibling.
(4) The disclosure—
(a) must be made by a doctor on the ART provider’s behalf; and
(b) may also be made to a doctor treating the person to whom it is
made.
(5) Nothing in this section requires an ART provider to disclose
information to any person.
(6) In this section:
personal health information—see the Health Records (Privacy and
Access) Act 1997, dictionary.
26
Provision of ART treatment to child or young person
26 Provision of ART treatment to child or young person
(a) provides ART treatment to a child or young person; or
(b) obtains a gamete from a child or young person for use in
ART treatment or for research in relation to ART treatment.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an ART provider that obtains a
gamete from a child or young person if—
(a) a doctor has certified there is a reasonable risk of the child or
young person becoming infertile before becoming an adult; and
(b) the ART provider obtains the gamete for the purpose of storing
it for the child or young person’s future benefit.
(3) An ART provider that has obtained a gamete from a child or young
person in accordance with subsection (2) must—
(a) despite anything else in this Act, store the gamete until the
person becomes an adult and provides instructions in relation to
the gamete; and
(b) when the person becomes an adult, take reasonable steps to
obtain the person’s consent to storage of the gamete unless the
person gives consent sooner.
27
Infection control standards
27 Infection control standards
(1) A regulation may prescribe requirements for controlling infection in
the provision of ART services (infection control standards).
(2) An ART provider must comply with infection control standards.
Consent of gamete providers Division 4.2
28
Requirement to obtain consent of gamete provider
28 Requirement to obtain consent of gamete provider
A gamete may be used in the provision of ART treatment only in
accordance with the consent of the gamete provider or a court order
under section 37 (Authorisation of posthumous use).
29
Form and content of consent
29 Form and content of consent
(1) A gamete provider’s consent to the use of their gametes must be in
writing and state—
(a) the number of families in relation to which the gametes may be
used in the provision of ART treatment; and
(b) the kinds of ART treatment for which the gametes may be used;
and
(c) the period for which the gametes may be stored.
(2) A gamete provider must give their consent to the ART provider
obtaining or proposing to obtain their gamete.
(3) A gamete provider’s consent must not limit use of a gamete in the
provision of ART treatment to a person because of any protected
attribute of the person.
A gamete provider must not state that their gamete may be used only in the
provision of ART treatment to a married person as relationship status is a protected
attribute.
(4) A regulation may prescribe other requirements in relation to consent
of gamete providers.
(5) In this section:
family—see section 40 (3).
protected attribute—see the Discrimination Act 1991, section 7.
30
Modification or withdrawal of consent
30 Modification or withdrawal of consent
(1) A gamete provider’s consent may be modified or withdrawn at any
time until—
(a) for a donated gamete—the gamete is placed in a person’s body
or an embryo is created from the gamete; or
(b) for a gamete used to create a donated embryo—the embryo is
implanted in a person’s body; or
(c) in any other case—the gamete, or an embryo created from the
gamete, is placed or implanted in a person’s body.
(2) A gamete provider may modify or withdraw consent by written notice
given to an ART provider that is, or has been, in possession of the
gamete or embryo to which the consent relates.
(3) If an ART provider receives notice of modification or withdrawal of
consent in relation to a gamete or embryo it has supplied to another
ART provider, it must give the other ART provider written notice of
the modification or withdrawal as soon as practicable.
(4) Modification or withdrawal of consent takes effect in relation to an
ART provider as soon as the ART provider is given written notice of
the modification or withdrawal in accordance with this section.
(5) A regulation may prescribe other requirements in relation to
modification or withdrawal of consent.
(6) In this section:
donated gamete does not include a gamete that becomes a donated
gamete only after being used to create an embryo.
31
Requirement to verify identity of gamete provider
31 Requirement to verify identity of gamete provider
(1) A regulation may prescribe the steps an ART provider must take to
verify the identity of a person purportedly giving, modifying or
withdrawing consent as a gamete provider.
Consent of gamete providers Division 4.2
(2) An ART provider commits an offence if it—
(a) receives a document under section 29 or section 30 purporting
to give, modify or withdraw a person’s consent as a gamete
provider; and
(b) fails to take the steps prescribed by regulation to verify the
person’s identity.
32
Requirement to confirm consent in certain cases
32 Requirement to confirm consent in certain cases
(a) it carries out any of the following activities in relation to a
gamete or embryo (other than a donated gamete or donated
embryo):
(i) using the gamete to create an embryo outside a person’s
body;
(ii) providing ART treatment to a person using the gamete or
embryo;
(iii) supplying the gamete or embryo to another person
(including an ART provider);
(iv) exporting the gamete or embryo, or causing the gamete or
embryo to be exported, from the ACT; and
(b) the activity is carried out more than 12 months after the latest of
the following:
(i) the gamete provider giving consent to the activity;
(ii) the ART provider confirming the gamete provider’s
consent to the activity.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an ART provider if it knows or
believes on reasonable grounds that the gamete provider is deceased.
Note 1 The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matters
Note 2 It is an offence to use a gamete or embryo of a deceased gamete provider
without authorisation (see s 36).
33
Use of gamete to create embryo outside body
33 Use of gamete to create embryo outside body
(a) it uses a gamete to create an embryo outside a person’s body;
and
(b) the gamete is used without the gamete provider’s consent, or in
a way that is inconsistent with the gamete provider’s consent.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the ART provider uses the gamete in
accordance with a court order under section 37 (Authorisation of
posthumous use).
Note 1 The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matters
Note 2 It is an offence to intentionally develop a human embryo outside the body
of a person for a period of more than 14 days, excluding any period when
development is suspended (see Human Cloning and Embryo Research
Act 2004, s 12).
34
Use of gametes or embryos in ART treatment
34 Use of gametes or embryos in ART treatment
(a) it provides ART treatment to a person using a gamete; and
(b) the gamete is used without the gamete provider’s consent, or in
a way that is inconsistent with the gamete provider’s consent.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the ART provider uses the gamete in
accordance with a court order under section 37 (Authorisation of
posthumous use).
35
Use of gametes or embryos for research
35 Use of gametes or embryos for research
An ART provider commits an offence if—
(a) it uses a gamete or embryo for research; and
(b) the gamete or embryo is used without the gamete provider’s
consent, or in a way that is inconsistent with the gamete
provider’s consent.
Note See also the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 (Cwlth)
which regulates research in relation to embryos.
36
Posthumous use of gametes or embryos
36 Posthumous use of gametes or embryos
(a) provides ART treatment to a person using a gamete; and
(b) knows or reasonably ought to have known that the gamete
provider is deceased.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if—
(a) the gamete provider had consented to the use of the gamete in
the circumstances and the person undergoing the treatment has,
having been notified of the gamete provider’s death and date of
death (if known), consented to the treatment in writing; or
(b) the ART provider provides the treatment to the gamete
provider’s domestic partner in accordance with a court order
under section 37.
37
Authorisation of posthumous use
37 Authorisation of posthumous use
(1) The domestic partner of a deceased gamete provider may apply to the
Supreme Court for an order to authorise the following in relation to
the gamete provider’s gametes:
(a) use of the gametes in the provision of ART treatment to the
partner;
(b) storage of the gametes for the authorised use.
(2) In deciding whether to authorise the use or storage of a deceased
gamete provider’s gametes, the court must consider the following:
(a) whether the domestic partner has capacity to consent to the
provision of the treatment;
(b) whether the domestic partner has undergone appropriate
counselling;
(c) the best interests of any children to be born as a result of the
treatment, including—
(i) whether the domestic partner has capacity to provide for
the child’s emotional, intellectual and other needs; and
(ii) whether the child is likely to have safe and stable living
arrangements;
(d) whether the gamete provider expressly objected to posthumous
use of their gametes;
(e) whether the gamete provider is likely to have supported
posthumous use of their gametes in the provision of
ART treatment to their domestic partner;
(f) any other matter the court considers appropriate.
38
Use of gametes obtained more than 5 years ago
38 Use of gametes obtained more than 5 years ago
(a) it provides ART treatment using a gamete; and
(b) the gamete was obtained from a gamete provider more than
5 years before the provision of the ART treatment; and
(c) it fails to take reasonable steps to find out whether the gamete
provider is alive.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an ART provider if—
(a) it, or another ART provider that supplied the gamete or embryo,
has been contacted by the gamete provider within 5 years before
the provision of the treatment; or
(b) it knows or believes on reasonable grounds that the gamete
provider is deceased.
(3) The registrar-general must not refuse an application made under the
Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Act 1997, section 43
(Search of register) if the application is—
(a) made for the purposes of this section in a suitable form; and
(b) accompanied by any fee determined under that Act.
reasonable steps include—
(a) obtaining a certificate under the Births, Deaths and Marriages
Registration Act 1997, section 45 (Issue of certificates) about
whether the gamete provider’s death has been recorded in the
register; and
(b) completing any other inquiries prescribed by regulation for
finding out whether the gamete provider is alive.
register means the register maintained under the Births, Deaths and
Marriages Registration Act 1997, section 39.
39
Donated gametes or embryos—time limits on use
39 Donated gametes or embryos—time limits on use
(a) it provides ART treatment—
(i) using a donated gamete that was obtained more than
15 years before the treatment is provided; or
(ii) using an embryo created from a donated gamete, or a
donated embryo, that was created more than 15 years
before the treatment is provided; and
(b) the treatment is provided without the written authorisation of the
director-general.
(2) The director-general may authorise ART treatment for subsection (1)
(b) only if satisfied there are reasonable grounds for doing so.
(3) The director-general may make guidelines in relation to the giving of
an authorisation under subsection (2).
(4) A guideline is a notifiable instrument.
(5) For this section, a gamete used in the provision of ART treatment
does not include an embryo created from the gamete.
40
Donated gametes or embryos—limits on number of
40 Donated gametes or embryos—limits on number of
families
(a) it provides ART treatment using a donated gamete; and
(b) the donor has donated gametes used in ART treatment
previously; and
(c) if a child were to be born as a result of the ART treatment
mentioned in paragraph (a), there would be more than—
(i) 5 families that include a child born as a result of ART
treatment provided in the ACT using a donated gamete or
embryo of the donor; or
(ii) 10 families that include a child born as a result of ART
treatment provided in Australia using a donated gamete or
embryo of the donor.
(2) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1)
if the ART provider proves that it exercised due diligence to prevent
the contravention, which must include—
(a) searching its records; and
(b) making reasonable inquiries of the donor; and
(c) if it has reason to believe another ART provider (including an
interstate ART provider) has obtained or been supplied with a
gamete or embryo of the donor—requesting information from
the other ART provider under section 41.
Note The defendant has a legal burden in relation to the matters mentioned in
s (2) (see Criminal Code, s 59).
family means a parent, their domestic partner (if any) and their
children.
41
Requirement to give information about number of
41 Requirement to give information about number of
families
(1) If a registered ART provider requests information in relation to a
donor from another ART provider under section 40 (2) (c), the other
ART provider must give the registered ART provider—
(a) the number of families to which 1 or more of the following
applies:
(i) the family includes a child born as a result of
ART treatment provided by the other ART provider using
a donated gamete or embryo of the donor;
(ii) the family includes a person who is pregnant as a result of
ART treatment provided by the other ART provider using
a donated gamete or embryo of the donor;
(iii) the family includes a person for whom an embryo has been
created by the other ART provider using a donated gamete
of the donor and placed in storage; and
(b) the number of people who are not parents and to whom 1 or both
of the following apply:
(i) the person is pregnant as a result of ART treatment
provided by the other ART provider using a donated
gamete or embryo of the donor;
(ii) an embryo has been created by the other ART provider
using a donated gamete of the donor and placed in storage
for the person; and
(c) details of any other ART providers that have been supplied with
a donated gamete, or an embryo created from a donated gamete,
of the donor; and
(d) any other information prescribed by regulation.
(2) An ART provider commits an offence if it—
(a) receives a request for information from a registered
ART provider under section 40 (2) (c); and
(b) fails to give the information required under subsection (1).
family—see section 40 (3).
42
Use of gametes to create embryo with close family
42 Use of gametes to create embryo with close family
member
(a) uses a gamete to create an embryo (whether inside or outside the
body of a person); and
(b) knows that the gamete provider is a close family member of the
other person whose gamete is used to create the embryo.
(2) In this section:
close family member, of a person, means a parent, child, sibling
(including a half-sibling), grandparent or grandchild of the person
from birth.
Division 4.4 Storage and transfer of gametes and embryos
Division 4.4 Storage and transfer of gametes and
embryos
43 Storage of gametes or embryos
(a) it stores a gamete or embryo; and
(b) the gamete or embryo is stored—
(i) without the gamete provider’s consent; or
(ii) in a way that is inconsistent with the gamete provider’s
consent.
(2) An ART provider commits an offence if—
(a) it stores a gamete or embryo; and
(b) the gamete or embryo is stored for longer than the shortest of the
following periods:
(i) a storage period the ART provider has proposed by written
notice to the gamete provider (whether before or after the
gamete was obtained);
(ii) the storage period stated in the gamete provider’s consent
or, for an embryo, the shortest storage period stated in the
gamete providers’ consents;
(iii) for a donated gamete—15 years after the day the gamete
was obtained from the donor plus any additional period
authorised by the director-general under section 39 (2);
Storage and transfer of gametes and embryos Division 4.4
(iv) for an embryo created from a donated gamete, or a donated
embryo—15 years after the day the embryo was created
plus any additional period authorised by the
director-general under section 39 (2).
(3) Subsection (1) and (2) do not apply to an ART provider if—
(a) it is required to store the gamete under section 26 (Provision of
ART treatment to child or young person); or
(b) it has a reasonable excuse for contravening a storage
requirement under subsection (1) or (2); or
(c) a gamete provider is deceased and the ART provider stores their
gamete or embryo for the purpose of its authorised use
(including use authorised by a court order under section 37) or
to allow a person to apply for a court order under section 37.
44
Supply of gametes or embryos to another person
44 Supply of gametes or embryos to another person
(a) it supplies a gamete or an embryo to another person (including
another ART provider); and
(b) the gamete or embryo is supplied without the gamete provider’s
consent, or in a way that is inconsistent with the gamete
provider’s consent.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the gamete provider is deceased and
the ART provider supplies the gamete or embryo for the purpose of
its authorised use (including use authorised by a court order under
section 37).
45
Export of gametes or embryos from ACT
45 Export of gametes or embryos from ACT
(a) it exports a gamete or embryo, or causes a gamete or embryo to
be exported, from the ACT; and
(b) the gamete or embryo is exported or caused to be exported
without the gamete provider’s consent, or in a way that is
inconsistent with the gamete provider’s consent.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the gamete provider is deceased and
the ART provider exports the gamete or embryo for the purpose of its
authorised use (including use authorised by a court order under
section 37).
46
Requirement to collect information about gamete
46 Requirement to collect information about gamete
provider
(1) An ART provider must collect the following information before
obtaining a gamete, whether from the gamete provider or anyone else:
(a) for all gametes—
(i) the gamete provider’s full name; and
(ii) the gamete provider’s home address; and
Record keeping requirements Division 4.5
(iii) the gamete provider’s date of birth;
(b) for donated gametes—
(i) the donor’s place of birth; and
(ii) the donor’s ethnicity and physical characteristics; and
(iii) the donor’s relevant medical history; and
(iv) the sex and year of birth of each donor conceived offspring
of the donor; and
(v) the name of each ART provider that has previously
obtained a donated gamete from the donor and the date on
which the gamete was obtained.
(2) An ART provider must collect the information mentioned in
subsection (1) in relation to a gamete before using the gamete, or an
embryo created from the gamete, for any purpose.
(3) An ART provider commits an offence if it fails to comply with this
47
Requirement to collect information about person
47 Requirement to collect information about person
undergoing ART treatment
(1) An ART provider must collect a person’s full name, home address
and date of birth before using a gamete in the provision of
ART treatment to the person.
(2) An ART provider commits an offence if it fails to comply with
subsection (1).
(3) If a donated gamete is used in the provision of ART treatment to a
person, an ART provider must take reasonable steps to find out—
(a) within 1 to 4 months after providing the treatment—whether the
person is pregnant as a result of the treatment; and
(b) within 10 to 15 months after providing the treatment—whether
a child was born as a result of the treatment, and if so, the child’s
full name, sex and date of birth.
(4) An ART provider commits an offence if it fails to comply with
subsection (3).
(5) Subsection (4) does not apply to an ART provider that fails to comply
with subsection (3) (b) if—
(a) within 10 months after providing the treatment, the person who
underwent the treatment tells the ART provider that a child was
born as a result of the treatment, and the child’s full name, sex
and date of birth; or
(b) it knows that no child was born as a result of the treatment.
mentioned in s (5) (see Criminal Code, s 58).
(6) An offence against subsection (2) is a strict liability offence.
48
Requirement to keep records
48 Requirement to keep records
(1) An ART provider must keep a record of the following:
(a) in relation to each gamete or embryo in its possession—
(i) information collected under section 46 (1); and
(ii) information about each other ART provider that has had
possession of the gamete or embryo (including the gametes
used to create the embryo); and
(iii) each gamete provider’s consent; and
Record keeping requirements Division 4.5
(iv) any use, supply or export of the gamete or embryo; and
(v) the period during which the gamete or embryo has been in
storage;
(b) in relation to each person to whom it provides ART treatment—
(i) information collected under section 47 (1); and
(ii) if a donated gamete was used in the provision of the
treatment—information collected under section 47 (3) (a);
(c) in relation to each child it knows was born as a result of
ART treatment it provided—
(i) the child’s full name, sex and date of birth; and
(ii) the full name of the person who gave birth to the child; and
(iii) if a donated gamete was used in the provision of the
treatment—the donor’s full name and date and place of
birth;
(d) if it does not know whether a child was born, or knows a child
was not born, as a result of ART treatment it provided at least
15 months earlier—information to that effect;
(e) any other information prescribed by regulation.
(2) An ART provider commits an offence if it fails to comply with
subsection (1).
(3) An ART provider must keep a record mentioned in subsection (1) for
50 years.
49
Information sharing between ART providers
49 Information sharing between ART providers
An ART provider that supplies a gamete or embryo to another
(a) must give the other ART provider a copy of the gamete
provider’s consent in relation to the gamete or embryo; and
(b) may give the other ART provider a copy of any other
information required to be collected under this Act in relation to
the gamete or embryo.
Preliminary Division 5.1
50
Definitions—pt 5
50 Definitions—pt 5
assessed by a counsellor, in relation to a donor conceived person—
see section 51 (2).
commencement day means 28 March 2025.
donor, in relation to a donor conceived person, includes the gamete
provider of a donated gamete used in self-insemination resulting in
the person’s birth.
donor code means a reference number used by an ART provider to
identify a donor.
donor conceived, in relation to a person, includes a person born as a
result of self-insemination using a donated gamete.
donor sibling, in relation to a donor conceived person, includes the
person’s sibling born as a result of self-insemination using a gamete
donated by the person’s donor.
informal donor arrangement means—
(a) ART treatment using a donated gamete if the treatment is not
provided for fee or reward, or in carrying on a business; or
(b) self-insemination using a donated gamete.
mature donor conceived person—see section 51 (1).
51
Meaning of mature donor conceived person etc—pt 5
51 Meaning of mature donor conceived person etc—pt 5
(1) In this part:
mature donor conceived person means a donor conceived person
who—
(a) is at least 16 years old; or
(b) has been assessed by a counsellor.
(2) For this part, a donor conceived person has been assessed by a
counsellor if—
(a) the person has received appropriate counselling services from a
suitably qualified and experienced counsellor; and
(b) the counsellor is satisfied the person is able to—
(i) understand and comply with the donor’s contact
preferences under section 58; and
(ii) understand that the donor has no parental rights or
responsibilities (including financial rights and
responsibilities) in relation to the donor conceived person.
(3) A regulation may prescribe a qualification a person must hold to be a
suitably qualified and experienced counsellor for subsection (2).
52
Donor register
52 Donor register
(1) The director-general must keep a donor register.
(2) The register may be kept in any form the director-general decides.
(3) The director-general may correct any mistake, error or omission in
the register.
53
Mandatory information
53 Mandatory information
(1) This section applies to an ART provider that provides ART treatment
using a donated gamete.
(2) The ART provider must, within 2 months after becoming aware that
a child has been born alive as a result of the treatment, give the
director-general—
(a) the following information about the donor kept by the ART
provider under section 48:
(i) their full name;
(ii) their home address;
(iii) their date and place of birth;
(iv) their ethnicity and physical characteristics;
(v) their relevant medical history;
(vi) the sex and year of birth of each of their donor conceived
offspring;
(vii) the name of each ART provider that has previously
obtained a donated gamete from the donor and the date on
which the gamete was obtained;
(viii) their consent; and
(b) the full name, sex and date of birth of the child; and
(c) the full name of the person who gave birth to the child.
(3) If the ART provider does not know whether a child was born alive as
a result of the treatment, it must, within 15 to 16 months after
providing the treatment—
(a) tell the director-general it does not know whether a child was
born alive as a result of the treatment; and
(b) give the director-general—
(i) information about the donor mentioned in
subsection (2) (a); and
(ii) the full name of the person who underwent the treatment.
(4) An ART provider commits an offence if it fails to comply with this
(5) The director-general must enter in the donor register any information
54
Voluntary information about donors
54 Voluntary information about donors
(1) This section applies to—
(a) a donor who donated a gamete before the commencement day;
or
(b) a donor who donated a gamete for use in an informal donor
arrangement; or
(c) an ART provider acting on behalf of a donor mentioned in
paragraph (a) or (b) with the donor’s consent.
(2) The donor or ART provider may, by written notice, give the
director-general any of the following information about the donor for
inclusion in the donor register:
(b) their home address;
(c) their date and place of birth;
(d) their donor code;
(e) their relevant medical history;
(f) the sex and year of birth of each of their donor conceived
offspring;
(g) the name of each ART provider that has obtained a donated
gamete from the donor and the date on which the gamete was
obtained.
(3) The notice may state restrictions on the disclosure of the information.
(4) The director-general may require that the notice be accompanied by
evidence—
(a) that the information contained in the notice is accurate; and
(b) if the information is given on a donor’s behalf—that the donor
has consented to the information being given.
(5) The director-general may enter in the donor register any information
55
Voluntary information about donor conceived people
55 Voluntary information about donor conceived people
(1) A mature donor conceived person may, by written notice, give the
director-general any of the following information for inclusion in the
donor register:
(b) their sex;
(c) their home address;
(d) their date and place of birth;
(e) their donor’s donor code;
(f) the full name of the person who gave birth to them.
(2) A parent of a donor conceived child or young person may, by written
notice, give the director-general any of the following information
about the child or young person for inclusion in the donor register:
(b) their sex;
(c) their date of birth;
(d) their donor’s donor code;
(e) the full name of the person who gave birth to the child or young
person.
(3) The notice may state restrictions on the disclosure of the information.
(4) The director-general may—
(a) require that the notice be accompanied by evidence that the
information contained in the notice is accurate; and
(b) enter in the donor register any information given to the
director-general under this section.
56
Voluntary information about informal donor
56 Voluntary information about informal donor
arrangements
(1) A parent of a donor conceived person born as a result of an informal
donor arrangement may, by written notice, give the director-general
any of the following information for inclusion in the donor register:
(a) the parent’s full name;
(b) the donor conceived person’s full name, sex and date of birth;
(c) if the donor consents in writing—the donor’s full name and date
of birth;
(d) whether the donor conceived person was born as a result of
ART treatment or self-insemination.
(2) The notice may state restrictions on the disclosure of the information.
(3) The director-general may require that the notice be accompanied by
evidence—
(a) that the information contained in the notice is accurate; and
(b) if the information is given on a donor’s behalf—that the donor
has consented to the information being given.
(4) The director-general may enter in the donor register any information
57
Voluntary information about personal characteristics
57 Voluntary information about personal characteristics
(1) A donor or mature donor conceived person may, by written notice,
give the director-general information about their personal
characteristics for inclusion in the donor register.
(2) The notice may state restrictions on the disclosure of the information.
(3) The director-general may enter in the donor register any information
58
Voluntary information about contact preferences
58 Voluntary information about contact preferences
(1) A donor or mature donor conceived person may, by written notice,
give the director-general the following information for inclusion in
(a) their contact details and preferred way to be contacted about
matters in relation to the donor register; or
(b) that they do not wish to be contacted about matters in relation to
the donor register.
(2) The director-general must enter in the donor register any information
59
Information entered on director-general’s own initiative
59 Information entered on director-general’s own initiative
(1) The director-general may, on their own initiative, enter the following
information in the donor register:
(a) mandatory information given by an ART provider other than in
accordance with section 53;
(b) mandatory information given to the director-general under
section 61 (Direction to give information about donor conceived
person);
(c) mandatory information given to the director-general under
section 62 (Information sharing between director-general and
registrar-general).
(2) Also, the director-general may, on their own initiative, enter
information in the donor register if—
(a) the director-general is satisfied on reasonable grounds the
information is about—
(i) a donor conceived person born as a result of
ART treatment provided on or after the commencement
day; or
(ii) a donor of a person mentioned in paragraph (i); and
(b) the information is mandatory information given—
(i) other than in accordance with section 53; and
(ii) by the subject of the information or, if the subject is a donor
conceived child or young person, by their parent.
(3) The director-general must include the source of the information when
entering the information in the donor register.
Note This section does not allow the director-general to include in the donor
register information provided unlawfully.
Measures to ensure accuracy of information Division 5.3
Div 5
3 Measures to ensure accuracy of
Division 5.3 Measures to ensure accuracy of
information
60
Requirement to ensure accuracy
60 Requirement to ensure accuracy
(1) The director-general must ensure, as far as is practicable, that
information in the donor register is accurate and not misleading.
(2) For subsection (1), the director-general may do any of the following:
(a) refuse to enter information;
(b) revise or remove information;
(c) retain historical information;
a person’s former name
(d) add any notes the director-general considers appropriate;
(e) ask an ART provider to give information to verify information
given voluntarily by a person under division 5.2.
(3) A person may ask the director-general to revise incorrect or outdated
information about the person in the donor register.
(4) The director-general must remove information given voluntarily by a
person under division 5.2 if—
(a) the person asks the director-general to remove the information;
and
(b) the director-general is satisfied the information is not required
to be on the donor register.
Division 5.3 Measures to ensure accuracy of information
61
Direction to give information about donor conceived
61 Direction to give information about donor conceived
(1) This section applies if the director-general believes on reasonable
grounds that a health service provider has mandatory information—
(a) in relation to a donor conceived person born as a result of
ART treatment provided on or after the commencement day;
and
(b) that has not been provided in accordance with section 53.
(2) The director-general may give the health service provider a written
direction requiring the provider to answer stated questions, or give
stated information to—
(a) determine whether a donor conceived person was born alive as
a result of ART treatment provided on or after the
commencement day; or
(b) determine whether any mandatory information in relation to the
donor conceived person has been correctly entered in the donor
register; or
(c) obtain any mandatory information in relation to the donor
conceived person.
(3) The direction may include requirements about how the answers or
information must be given.
(4) The health service provider commits an offence if the provider
contravenes the direction.
(5) The health service provider is not excused from complying with a
direction on the ground that doing so may—
(a) tend to incriminate the provider; or
(b) expose the provider to a penalty.
(6) However, any information or document obtained, directly or
indirectly, because of the health service provider’s compliance with
the direction is not admissible in evidence against the provider in a
civil or criminal proceeding, other than a proceeding for an offence
arising out of the false or misleading nature of the information or
document.
(7) In this section:
health service provider—see the Health Act 1993, section 7.
62
Information sharing between director-general and
62 Information sharing between director-general and
registrar-general
(1) The director-general and the registrar-general may share information
in relation to the following to assist the director-general to meet the
requirements of section 60:
(a) a donor conceived person;
(b) a donor;
(c) a person who gave birth to a donor conceived person;
(d) a domestic partner of a person mentioned in paragraph (c).
(2) Subsection (1) has effect despite anything elsewhere in this Act or
another territory law.
Division 5.4 Disclosure of information in donor
register
63
Disclosure of information in donor register generally
63 Disclosure of information in donor register generally
(1) The director-general may disclose information kept in the donor
register only in accordance with this part.
(2) For disclosure of information under this part, the director-general is
entitled to assume that information given to the director-general and
kept in the donor register is accurate.
(3) Nothing in this section limits section 60 (Requirement to ensure
accuracy).
64
Disclosure to subject of information
64 Disclosure to subject of information
(1) The director-general must, on application by any of the following
people, give the person a copy of any information about the person
kept in the donor register:
(a) a donor;
(b) a mature donor conceived person;
(c) a person who has undergone ART treatment or self-insemination
using a donated gamete.
(2) The director-general must, on application by a parent of a donor
conceived child or young person, give the parent a copy of any
information about the child or young person kept in the donor register.
(3) This section does not authorise disclosure of information about—
(a) anyone other than the applicant, or for an application under
subsection (2), anyone other than the child or young person; or
(b) the applicant’s relationship with other people, or for an
application under subsection (2), the child or young person’s
relationship with other people, unless the information was
originally provided by the applicant.
65
Disclosure to donor
65 Disclosure to donor
The director-general must, on application by a donor, give the donor
a copy of the following information kept in the donor register in
relation to a person born as a result of ART treatment or
self-insemination using the donor’s donated gamete:
(a) the person’s sex and year of birth;
(b) information the person gave voluntarily under division 5.2,
subject to any restrictions on disclosure stated by the person.
66
Disclosure to donor conceived person—adult or
66 Disclosure to donor conceived person—adult or
assessed by counsellor
(1) This section applies to a donor conceived person who—
(a) is an adult; or
(b) has been assessed by a counsellor.
(2) The director-general must, on application by the donor conceived
person, give the person a copy of the following information kept in
(a) mandatory information about the person’s donor given to the
director-general under section 53;
(b) information the person’s donor gave voluntarily under
the donor;
(c) information the person’s donor sibling gave voluntarily under
the sibling;
(d) the sex and year of birth of the person’s donor siblings.
66A
Disclosure to donor conceived person—16 or 17 years
66A Disclosure to donor conceived person—16 or 17 years
old and not assessed by counsellor
(1) This section applies to a donor conceived person who—
(a) is at least 16 years old but under 18 years old; and
(b) has not been assessed by a counsellor.
(2) The director-general must, on application by the donor conceived
person, give the person a copy of the following information kept in
(a) the following mandatory information about the person’s donor
given to the director-general under section 53:
(i) the donor’s year of birth;
(ii) the donor’s country of birth;
(iii) the donor’s ethnicity and physical characteristics;
(iv) the donor’s relevant medical history;
(v) the donor’s country of residence;
(b) if the person’s donor consents in writing—the following
mandatory information about the donor given to the
director-general under section 53:
(i) the donor’s full name;
(ii) the donor’s date and place of birth;
(iii) the donor’s home address;
(c) information the person’s donor gave voluntarily under
the donor;
(d) information the person’s donor sibling gave voluntarily under
the sibling;
(e) the sex and year of birth of the person’s donor siblings.
67
Disclosure to parent of donor conceived child or young
67 Disclosure to parent of donor conceived child or young
(1) The director-general must, on application by a parent of a donor
conceived child or young person, give the parent a copy of the
following information kept in the donor register:
(a) the following mandatory information about the child or young
person’s donor given to the director-general under section 53:
(i) the donor’s year of birth;
(ii) the donor’s country of birth;
(iii) the donor’s ethnicity and physical characteristics;
(iv) the donor’s relevant medical history;
(v) the donor’s country of residence;
(b) if the child or young person’s donor consents in writing—
the following mandatory information about the donor given to
the director-general under section 53:
(i) the donor’s full name;
(ii) the donor’s date and place of birth;
(iii) the donor’s home address;
(c) information the child or young person’s donor gave voluntarily
under division 5.2, subject to any restrictions on disclosure
stated by the donor;
(d) information the child or young person’s donor sibling gave
voluntarily under division 5.2, subject to any restrictions on
disclosure stated by the sibling;
(e) the sex and year of birth of the donor siblings.
(2) However, the director-general must not give the parent mandatory
information about the child or young person’s donor if—
(a) the child or young person was born as a result of ART treatment
or self-insemination using a gamete donated before the
commencement day; and
(b) the donor has not—
(i) given the mandatory information voluntarily under
division 5.2; or
(ii) consented in writing to the disclosure.
(3) The director-general must, on application by a suitable person, give
the person a copy of the information that may be given to a parent
under this section if—
(a) the parent is unwilling or unable to seek the information on the
child or young person’s behalf; and
(b) the information cannot reasonably be obtained by the person in
any other way.
suitable person, in relation to a child or young person, means a person
the director-general considers is a representative of the child or young
person with a genuine interest in their welfare.
68
Disclosure of information on director-general’s initiative
68 Disclosure of information on director-general’s initiative
(1) The director-general may, on their own initiative, disclose
information kept in the donor register that has been entered or revised
under section 59 or section 60 to a person who would otherwise be
entitled to be given the information under this part.
(2) The director-general may, on their own initiative, disclose personal
health information kept in the donor register—
(a) only if the director-general believes on reasonable grounds that
the disclosure is necessary to—
(i) prevent or reduce a serious and imminent risk to anyone’s
life or physical, mental or emotional health; or
(ii) warn the person to whom the information is disclosed
about the existence of a medical condition that may be
harmful to the person or the person’s children (including
future children); and
(b) to the following people:
(i) a mature donor conceived person if the information is
about their donor;
(ii) a parent of a donor conceived child or young person if the
information is about the child or young person’s donor;
(iii) a person who is pregnant as a result of ART treatment or
self-insemination using a donor’s donated gamete if the
information is about the donor;
(iv) a donor if the information is about a person born as a result
of ART treatment or self-insemination using the donor’s
donated gamete;
(v) a donor conceived person if the information is about their
donor sibling.
(3) The director-general may, on their own initiative, disclose
information kept in the donor register—
(a) if the director-general believes on reasonable grounds that—
(i) a donor or donor conceived person is involved in a
consanguineous relationship; or
(ii) another serious risk to the safety or welfare of a donor or
donor conceived person exists; and
(b) only to the extent that the disclosure is necessary to allow the
affected person, or their parent, to understand the risk; and
(c) to the following people:
(i) a donor, or donor conceived person, to whom
subsection (3) applies (an affected person);
(ii) a parent of an affected child or young person.
(4) Nothing in this section requires the director-general to disclose
information to any person.
(5) In this section:
personal health information—see the Health Records (Privacy and
Access) Act 1997, dictionary.
69
Contacting donor conceived person for consent to
69 Contacting donor conceived person for consent to
disclosure
(1) The director-general may contact a mature donor conceived person to
ask whether the person wishes to consent to the disclosure of
information under this division.
(2) The director-general may contact a person under subsection (1)—
(a) at the request of the person’s donor; or
(b) at the request of the person’s donor sibling; or
(c) on the director-general’s own initiative.
(3) The director-general may contact a person under subsection (1) only
if, in their opinion, the contact is justified to promote the safety or
welfare of at least 1 of the people concerned.
(4) The director-general may—
(a) consult any entity the director-general believes may assist in the
exercise of their functions under this section; and
(b) arrange for any of the people concerned to be provided with
counselling the director-general believes is necessary to assist
the person and the director-general in the matter.
(5) A regulation may prescribe guidelines in accordance with which the
director-general must exercise the director-general’s functions under
this section.
70
Consent to disclosure generally
70 Consent to disclosure generally
(1) A person whose information is kept in the donor register may consent
to the disclosure of the information in circumstances not otherwise
allowed under this part.
(2) The consent must be given by written notice to the director-general.
(3) The director-general may require the person to provide proof of
identity with the consent.
(4) The consent may be withdrawn or modified by written notice to the
director-general.
(5) Nothing in this part prevents the director-general from disclosing
information about a person kept in the donor register if—
(a) the person has consented to the disclosure under this section; and
(b) the disclosure is consistent with the consent.
Part 6
Pre-commencement records and
Part 6 Pre-commencement records and
other information held by ART
providers
71
Definitions—pt 6
71 Definitions—pt 6
ART provider includes a former ART provider.
commencement day means 29 March 2024.
pre-commencement record means a record made by an
ART provider about an ART service provided before the
commencement day.
retention period, in relation to a pre-commencement record, means
75 years after—
(a) the day on which the ART service to which the record relates
was provided; or
(b) if the record relates to more than 1 ART service—the day on
which the last of those services was provided.
Div 6
2 Retention of pre-commencement
Division 6.2 Retention of pre-commencement
records
72
Requirement to retain records
72 Requirement to retain records
(a) it has control of a pre-commencement record; and
(b) the record’s retention period has not ended; and
Pre-commencement records and other information held by ART providers Part 6
Retention of pre-commencement records Division 6.2
(c) it fails to retain the record in a readily accessible form.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the ART provider fails to retain the
record only because it transfers the record in accordance with
section 73.
73
Transfer of records
73 Transfer of records
(1) A person may transfer any pre-commencement record within the
person’s control to a registered ART provider.
(2) The person must give the director-general written notice of the
transfer as soon as practicable after transferring the record.
(3) The registered ART provider must give the director-general written
notice confirming the transfer as soon as practicable after receiving
the record.
(4) A person commits an offence if the person fails to comply with
subsection (2) or (3).
(5) A regulation may prescribe additional procedures or requirements for
the transfer of records, including—
(a) providing for the transfer of pre-commencement records if an
ART provider dies, is wound up or otherwise lacks capacity to
retain the records in accordance with this part; and
(b) matters required to be included in a notice given to the
director-general under this section.
74
Director-general may authorise destruction of records
74 Director-general may authorise destruction of records
(1) Despite anything else in this part, a person may destroy a
pre-commencement record during the retention period if authorised
in writing by the director-general.
(2) The director-general may authorise the destruction of a
pre-commencement record only if satisfied that no person would be
adversely affected by the destruction of the record.
The director-general authorises destruction of pre-commencement records because
the records relate to gametes that no longer exist and the director-general is satisfied
that no person was born as a result of ART treatment using the gametes.
Division 6.3 Access to information held by ART
providers
Note This division deals with access to information about ART services,
including ART services provided before the commencement day, that
may not be kept in the donor register.
75
Meaning of accessible information—div 6.3
75 Meaning of accessible information—div 6.3
(1) In this division:
accessible information, about a donor, means—
(a) non-identifying information about—
(i) the donor’s ethnicity and physical characteristics; and
(ii) the donor’s relevant medical history; and
(iii) the sex and year of birth of each person born as a result of
ART treatment using a donated gamete of the donor; and
(b) any other information about the donor (including identifying
information) if the donor has consented to its disclosure.
Pre-commencement records and other information held by ART providers Part 6
Access to information held by ART providers Division 6.3
(2) However, accessible information does not include information that
can be obtained under section 66 (Disclosure to donor conceived
person—adult or assessed by counsellor), section 66A (Disclosure to
donor conceived person—16 or 17 years old and not assessed by
counsellor) or section 67 (Disclosure to parent of donor conceived
child or young person).
identifying information means information that identifies the
individual to whom the information relates.
non-identifying information means information that does not
identify the individual to whom the information relates.
76
Application for accessible information about donor
76 Application for accessible information about donor
(1) The following people may apply for accessible information about a
donor:
(a) a person born as a result of ART treatment using the donor’s
donated gamete if—
(i) the person is at least 16 years old; or
(ii) the ART provider to whom the application is made is
satisfied the person is sufficiently mature to access
information under this Act;
(b) a parent of a child or young person born as a result of
ART treatment using the donor’s donated gamete.
(2) An application for accessible information may be made to—
(a) the ART provider who provided the ART treatment resulting in
the person’s birth; or
(b) an ART provider the applicant suspects on reasonable grounds
may have accessible information about the donor.
77
Disclosure of accessible information by ART provider
77 Disclosure of accessible information by ART provider
(1) Within 28 days after receiving an application under section 76, an
ART provider must give the applicant—
(a) a copy of all accessible information about the donor held by the
ART provider; and
(b) if the ART provider has no accessible information about the
donor—a statement to that effect; and
(c) if the ART provider has reason to believe another ART provider
may have any accessible information about the donor—details
of the other ART provider.
(2) An ART provider commits an offence if it fails to comply with this
Preliminary Division 7.1
Div 7
1 Preliminary
78
Definitions—pt 7
78 Definitions—pt 7
associated entity, of a corporation, means—
(a) a related corporation; or
(b) an executive officer of the corporation or related corporation; or
(c) a person with a significant interest in the corporation or related
corporation.
recipient, in relation to an improvement notice or prohibition notice,
means the person to whom the notice is given under this part.
related corporation means a related body corporate under the
Corporations Act.
79
Giving improvement notice
79 Giving improvement notice
(1) This section applies if the director-general is satisfied on reasonable
(a) a person has contravened, is contravening, or is likely to
contravene ART legislation; or
(b) it is otherwise necessary to require a person to rectify a matter
or activity to prevent or minimise a risk to another person’s
health, safety or welfare or to public health or safety.
(2) The director-general may give a notice (an improvement notice) to
the person requiring the person to rectify the matter or activity to
which the notice relates.
(3) If the person is a corporation, the director-general may also give an
improvement notice to an associated entity of the corporation.
80
Content of improvement notice
80 Content of improvement notice
(1) An improvement notice must state the following:
(a) that it is an improvement notice under this Act;
(b) the name of the recipient;
(c) the grounds on which the notice is given;
(d) the period within which the recipient must rectify the matter or
activity to which the notice relates;
(e) that the notice continues in force until it is revoked;
(f) the period after which the recipient may apply to have the notice
revoked.
(2) An improvement notice may state the action the recipient must take
to comply with the notice.
81
Extension of compliance period
81 Extension of compliance period
(1) The director-general may, on application by the recipient or on the
director-general’s own initiative, extend the compliance period
before it ends.
(2) The director-general must give written notice of their decision under
subsection (1) to the recipient.
(3) If an application for extension is refused, the written notice must state
the reasons for the refusal.
compliance period means the period mentioned in section 80 (1) (d),
and includes that period as extended under this section.
Improvement notices Division 7.2
82
Revoking improvement notice
82 Revoking improvement notice
(1) An improvement notice remains in force until the day it is revoked.
(2) The director-general may, on application by the recipient made in
accordance with the notice or on the director-general’s own initiative,
revoke the notice if satisfied it has been complied with.
(3) The director-general must give written notice of their decision under
subsection (2) to the recipient.
(4) If an application for revocation is refused, the written notice must—
(a) state the reasons for the refusal; and
(b) set a further period after which an application can be made under
subsection (2).
83
Contravention of improvement notice
83 Contravention of improvement notice
(1) A person commits an offence if the person—
(a) is given an improvement notice under section 79; and
(b) contravenes the notice.
(a) for a 1st offence—150 penalty units; or
(b) for a 2nd or subsequent offence—300 penalty units.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits a separate offence
for each day (after the first day of the contravention) during any part
of which the contravention continues.
Maximum penalty (for each day): 20 penalty units.
84
Giving prohibition notice
84 Giving prohibition notice
(1) This section applies if the director-general is satisfied on reasonable
(a) a person has contravened, is contravening, or is likely to
contravene ART legislation; or
(b) a person has been refused ART accreditation or had their
accreditation suspended, cancelled or revoked; or
(c) it is otherwise necessary to prohibit a person from carrying on a
business, or part of a business, that provides ART services to
prevent or minimise a serious risk to another person’s health,
safety or welfare or to public health or safety.
(2) The director-general may give a notice (a prohibition notice) to the
person prohibiting the person from—
(a) carrying on a business, or part of a business, that provides
ART services; and
(b) offering to provide ART services.
(3) If the person is a corporation, the director-general may also give a
prohibition notice to an associated entity of the corporation.
85
Content of prohibition notice
85 Content of prohibition notice
A prohibition notice must state the following:
(a) that it is a prohibition notice under this Act;
(b) the name of the recipient;
(c) the grounds on which the notice is given;
Prohibition notices Division 7.3
(d) any conditions on the prohibition the director-general considers
appropriate;
Examples
• the prohibition applies only to stated premises
• the prohibition applies only to premises in a stated area
(e) the day the prohibition ends or that the notice continues in force
until it is revoked;
(f) the period after which the recipient may apply to have the notice
revoked.
86
Ending prohibition
86 Ending prohibition
(1) A prohibition notice remains in force until the earliest of the
following:
(a) the day the prohibition ends as stated in the notice;
(b) the day the notice is revoked.
(2) The director-general may, on application by the recipient made in
accordance with the notice or on the director-general’s own initiative,
revoke the notice if satisfied the grounds on which it was given no
longer apply.
(3) The director-general must give written notice of their decision under
subsection (2) to the recipient.
(4) If an application for revocation is refused, the written notice must—
(a) state the reasons for the refusal; and
(b) set a further period after which an application can be made under
subsection (2).
87
Contravention of prohibition notice
87 Contravention of prohibition notice
(1) A person commits an offence if the person—
(a) is given a prohibition notice under section 84; and
(b) contravenes the notice.
(a) for a 1st offence—250 penalty units; or
(b) for a 2nd or subsequent offence—500 penalty units.
(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1) commits a separate offence
for each day (after the first day of the contravention) during any part
of which the contravention continues.
Maximum penalty (for each day): 30 penalty units.
88
Direction to give information about potential notice
88 Direction to give information about potential notice
recipients
(1) This section applies to a corporation to whom an improvement or
prohibition notice is given.
(2) The director-general may give the corporation a written direction to
give information—
(a) reasonably required by the director-general to determine if the
corporation has any associated entities to whom a notice may be
given; and
(b) within a stated reasonable period.
Miscellaneous Division 7.4
(3) A person commits an offence if the person fails to comply with a
direction under subsection (2).
(a) for a 1st offence—100 penalty units; or
(b) for a 2nd or subsequent offence—200 penalty units.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the person has a reasonable excuse
for failing to comply with the direction.
mentioned in s (4) (see Criminal Code, s 58).
89
Definitions—pt 8
89 Definitions—pt 8
authorised person means a person appointed as an authorised person
under section 90.
connected—an activity or thing is connected with an offence if—
(a) the offence has been committed in relation to it; or
(b) it will provide evidence of the commission of the offence; or
(c) it was used, is being used, or is intended to be used, to commit
the offence.
occupier, of premises, includes—
(a) a person an authorised person believes on reasonable grounds to
be an occupier of the premises; and
(b) a person apparently in charge of the premises.
offence includes an offence that there are reasonable grounds for
believing has been, is being, or will be, committed.
premises includes the following:
(a) land (whether or not vacant);
(b) any part of a building, tent, stall or other structure (whether of a
permanent or temporary nature).
warrant means a warrant issued under division 8.5.
Preliminary Division 8.1
90
Appointment of authorised people
90 Appointment of authorised people
The director-general may appoint a public servant as an authorised
person for this Act.
Note For laws about appointments, see the Legislation Act, pt 19.3.
91
Identity cards
91 Identity cards
(1) The director-general must give an authorised person an identity card
that—
(a) states the authorised person’s name; and
(b) states that the person is an authorised person; and
(c) includes a recent photograph of the person; and
(d) states the card’s date of issue and expiry; and
(e) includes anything else prescribed by regulation.
(2) A person must return their identity card to the director-general within
7 days after the day the person stops being an authorised person.
Maximum penalty: 1 penalty unit.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply to a person if their identity card is—
(a) lost or stolen; or
(b) destroyed by someone else.
92
Requirements before certain powers can be exercised
92 Requirements before certain powers can be exercised
(1) This section applies if an authorised person intends to exercise any of
the following powers:
(a) giving a direction under section 94 (1) (Direction to give
information);
(b) giving a direction under section 95 (1) or (2) (Direction to give
name and address);
(c) entering premises under section 96 (1) (b) or (c) (Powers of
authorised person to enter premises);
(d) giving a direction under section 98 (1) (e) (General powers on
entry to premises).
(2) Before exercising the power, the authorised person must—
(a) either—
(i) show their identity card to the affected person; or
(ii) if the authorised person intends to exercise the power other
than in person—provide other evidence of the authorised
person’s identity to the affected person; and
(b) tell the affected person the reason for exercising the power; and
(c) tell the affected person about any relevant offence in relation to
the power.
Examples—exercise of powers other than in person
1 an authorised person emails a person giving them a direction to give
information
2 an authorised person emails a person asking for consent to enter and search
the person’s premises using a remote-controlled surveillance device
Exercise of powers generally Division 8.2
(3) The authorised person must ensure the matters mentioned in
subsection (2) are communicated in a way that the authorised person
believes the affected person is likely to understand.
affected person, in relation to the exercise of a power under this part,
means—
(a) the individual affected by the exercise of the power; or
(b) if the person is not an individual—an employee, officer or agent
of the person affected by the exercise of the power.
relevant offence means an offence against—
(a) for a direction under section 94 (1)—section 94 (2); or
(b) for a direction under section 95 (1) or (2)—section 95 (3); or
(c) for a direction under section 98 (1) (e)—section 98 (2).
93
Privilege against self-incrimination does not apply
93 Privilege against self-incrimination does not apply
(1) If an authorised person gives a person a direction to give information,
a document or other thing under this part, the person is not excused
from complying with the direction on the ground that doing so may—
(a) tend to incriminate the person; or
(b) expose the person to a penalty.
(2) However, any information, document or thing obtained, directly or
indirectly, because of the person’s compliance with the direction is
not admissible in evidence against the person in a civil or criminal
proceeding, other than a proceeding for an offence arising out of the
false or misleading nature of the information, document or thing.
94
Direction to give information
94 Direction to give information
(1) An authorised person may, in writing, direct a person to give the
authorised person information, a document or other thing within a
stated reasonable period if the information, document or thing is
reasonably required by the authorised person for this Act.
Note The Legislation Act, s 171 deals with the application of client legal
privilege.
(2) The person must take reasonable steps to comply with the direction.
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply unless the authorised person—
(a) complies with section 92 (Requirements before certain powers
can be exercised); and
(b) explains the effect of section 93 (Privilege against
self-incrimination does not apply).
95
Direction to give name and address
95 Direction to give name and address
(1) An authorised person may direct a person to state the person’s name
and home address if the authorised person believes on reasonable
grounds that the person—
(a) is involved in the commission of an offence against this Act; or
(b) may be able to assist in the investigation of an offence against
this Act.
Power to enter premises Division 8.4
(2) If the authorised person believes on reasonable grounds that
information given in response to a direction under subsection (1) is
false or misleading, the authorised person may direct the person to
produce evidence of the correctness of the information within a stated
reasonable period.
(3) A person must comply with a direction given to the person under this
Maximum penalty: 5 penalty units.
Note It is an offence to make a false or misleading statement or give false or
misleading information (see Criminal Code, pt 3.4).
(5) Subsection (3) does not apply to a person unless the authorised person
complies with section 92 (Requirements before certain powers can be
exercised).
Note The defendant has an evidential burden in relation to the matter
mentioned in s (5) (see Criminal Code, s 58).
96
Powers of authorised person to enter premises
96 Powers of authorised person to enter premises
(1) For this Act, an authorised person may—
(a) at any reasonable time, enter premises that the public is entitled
to use or that are open to the public (whether or not on payment
of money); or
(b) at any time, enter premises with the occupier’s consent; or
(c) at any time, enter premises if the authorised person believes on
reasonable grounds that—
(i) an offence against this Act is being, or is likely to be, or
has just been, committed at the premises; and
(ii) the risk to a person, the environment or public health
resulting from the offence is so serious and urgent that
immediate entry to the premises without the authority of a
warrant is necessary; or
(d) enter premises in accordance with a warrant.
(2) However, subsection (1) (a) or (c) do not authorise entry into a part
of the premises that is being used only for residential purposes.
(3) If an authorised person wants to ask for consent to enter a building or
other structure on the premises, the authorised person may, without
the occupier’s consent, enter any land that forms part of the premises
to ask for the consent.
(4) To remove any doubt, an authorised person may enter premises under
subsection (1) without payment of an entry fee or other charge.
(5) An authorised person may—
(a) enter the premises with 1 or more people who, in the opinion of
the authorised person, have knowledge or skills that could assist
the authorised person to carry out their functions; and
(b) if entering the premises in accordance with a warrant—also
enter the premises with necessary force.
97
Obtaining consent to entry
97 Obtaining consent to entry
(1) For section 96 (1) (b), an authorised person must—
(a) before asking the occupier for consent—tell the occupier—
(i) the purpose of the proposed entry; and
(ii) the reason for, and identity of, any other person
accompanying the authorised person; and
(iii) that anything found and seized under this part may be used
in evidence in court; and
(iv) that consent may be refused; and
Power to enter premises Division 8.4
(b) if the occupier consents to the entry—give the occupier a written
record confirming—
(i) the matters mentioned in paragraph (a); and
(ii) that the occupier was told about those matters; and
(iii) the time and date when the consent was given.
(2) A court must find that the occupier did not consent if—
(a) a question arises, in a proceeding before the court, whether the
occupier consented to the authorised person entering the
premises under this part; and
(b) a record mentioned in subsection (1) (b) is not produced in
evidence; and
(c) it is not proved that the occupier consented to the entry.
98
General powers on entry to premises
98 General powers on entry to premises
(1) An authorised person who enters premises under this division may do
1 or more of the following in relation to the premises or anything at
the premises:
(a) examine anything;
(b) take a measurement or conduct a test;
(c) take a sample;
(d) take images, make audio or video recordings or any other kind
of record;
(e) if reasonably required for an authorised person to exercise a
power under this division, direct the occupier of the premises, or
anyone at the premises, to do 1 or more of the following:
(i) give information, a document or other thing (including
information, a document or thing that is not at the
premises);
(ii) produce a document or other thing (including a document
or other thing that is not at the premises);
(iii) answer a question;
(iv) give the authorised person reasonable help to exercise a
power under this part.
Note The Legislation Act, s 171 deals with the application of client legal
privilege.
(2) A person must take all reasonable steps to comply with a direction
given under subsection (1) (e).
(3) Subsection (2) does not apply in relation to a direction given to a
person under subsection (1) (e) (i), (ii) and (iii) unless, before giving
the direction, the authorised person—
(a) complies with section 92 (Requirements before certain powers
can be exercised); and
(b) explains the effect of section 93 (Privilege against
self-incrimination does not apply) to the person.
99
Definitions—div 8.5
99 Definitions—div 8.5
In this division:
remote application—see section 100 (3).
warrant form—see section 103 (2).
warrant terms—see section 102 (2).
Warrants Division 8.5
100
Application for warrant
100 Application for warrant
(1) An authorised person may apply to a magistrate for a warrant to enter
the premises and exercise the authorised person’s powers under this
part.
(2) The application must—
(a) be sworn; and
(b) state the grounds on which the warrant is sought.
(3) However, if the authorised person considers it necessary because of
urgent or other special circumstances, the authorised person may
make an application (a remote application) by—
(a) preparing a written application stating the grounds on which a
warrant is sought; and
(b) applying to the magistrate for the warrant other than in person
before the written application is sworn.
101
Magistrate may refuse to consider application for warrant
101 Magistrate may refuse to consider application for warrant
until authorised person gives relevant information
The magistrate may refuse to consider an application for a warrant
made under section 100 until the authorised person gives the
magistrate all the information the magistrate requires about the
application in the way the magistrate requires.
102
Decision on application for warrant
102 Decision on application for warrant
(1) If an application for a warrant is made under section 100, the
magistrate may issue the warrant only if satisfied there are reasonable
grounds for suspecting—
(a) there is a particular thing or activity connected with an offence
against this Act; and
(b) the thing or activity—
(i) is, or is being engaged in, at the premises; or
(ii) may be, or may be engaged in, at the premises within the
next 14 days.
(2) The warrant must include the following information (the warrant
terms):
(a) a statement that an authorised person may, with any necessary
assistance and force, enter the premises and exercise the
authorised person’s powers under this part;
(b) details of the offence for which the warrant is issued;
(c) the things that may be seized under the warrant;
(d) the hours when the premises may be entered;
(e) the date, within 14 days after the day of the warrant’s issue,
when the warrant ends.
103
Warrant issued on remote application
103 Warrant issued on remote application
(1) A magistrate may issue a warrant on a remote application by—
(a) immediately giving a written copy of the warrant to the
authorised person if it is practicable to do so; or
(b) if it is not practicable to do so—tell the authorised person the
following:
(i) the warrant terms;
(ii) the date and time the warrant is issued.
(2) If the magistrate issues a warrant under subsection (1) (b), the
authorised person must complete a form of warrant (the warrant
form) stating—
(a) the magistrate’s name; and
Warrants Division 8.5
(b) the date and time the magistrate issued the warrant; and
(c) the warrant terms.
(3) The written copy of the warrant, or the warrant form properly
completed by the authorised person, authorises the entry and the
exercise of the authorised person’s powers under this part.
(4) The authorised person must, as soon as is reasonably practicable—
(a) swear the remote application; and
(b) give the magistrate—
(i) the sworn application; and
(ii) if the authorised person completed a warrant form—the
warrant form.
(5) On receiving the documents mentioned in subsection (4) (b), the
magistrate must attach them to the warrant.
(6) A court must find that a power exercised by an authorised person was
not authorised by a warrant under this section if—
(a) a question arises in a proceeding before the court whether the
exercise of the power was authorised by a warrant; and
(b) the warrant is not produced in evidence; and
(c) it is not proved that the exercise of the power was authorised by
a warrant under this section.
104
Announcement before entry under warrant
104 Announcement before entry under warrant
(1) Before anyone enters premises under a warrant, an authorised person
must—
(a) announce that they are authorised to enter the premises; and
(b) give anyone at the premises an opportunity to allow entry to the
premises; and
(c) if the occupier of the premises is present at the premises—
identify themself to the person.
(2) The authorised person is not required to comply with subsection (1)
if they believe on reasonable grounds that immediate entry to the
premises is required to ensure—
(a) the safety of anyone (including themselves or any person
assisting them); or
(b) that the effective execution of the warrant is not frustrated.
105
Warrant etc to be given to occupier
105 Warrant etc to be given to occupier
If the occupier of premises is present at the premises while a warrant
is being executed, the authorised person must give to the occupier—
(a) a copy of—
(i) the warrant; or
(ii) if section 103 (1) (b) applies—the warrant form; and
(b) a document setting out the occupier’s rights and obligations.
106
Occupier entitled to watch search etc
106 Occupier entitled to watch search etc
(1) If the occupier of premises is present at the premises while a warrant
is being executed, the occupier is entitled to watch the authorised
person, and any person assisting the authorised person, conduct any
search and exercise any other power authorised by the warrant.
(2) However, the occupier is not entitled to watch the authorised person
or a person assisting the authorised person, exercise their powers if—
(a) to do so would interfere with the powers being exercised; or
(b) the occupier is under arrest, and allowing them to watch the
powers being exercised would interfere with the objective of the
warrant.
(3) This section does not prevent an authorised officer exercising powers
under this part in 2 or more areas of the premises at the same time.
107
Authorised person may seize things at premises
107 Authorised person may seize things at premises
(1) An authorised person who enters premises under this part—
(a) may seize anything at the premises if satisfied on reasonable
(i) the thing is connected with an offence against this Act; and
(ii) the seizure is necessary to prevent the thing from being—
(A) concealed, lost or destroyed; or
(B) used to commit, continue or repeat the offence; and
(b) if the premises were entered with the occupier’s consent—may
also seize anything at the premises if seizure of the thing is
consistent with the purpose of the entry told to the occupier
when seeking the occupier’s consent; and
(c) if the premises were entered under a warrant—may also seize
anything at the premises that the authorised person is authorised
to seize under the warrant.
(2) Having seized a thing, the authorised person may—
(a) remove the thing from the premises where it was seized to
another place; or
(b) leave the thing at the premises where it is seized and restrict
access to it.
Note If an authorised person seizes a thing, the authorised person must give a
receipt for it to the person from whom it was seized (see s 111).
(3) If access to a seized thing is restricted under subsection (2) (b), the
authorised person must secure, in a conspicuous place at the premises,
a notice identifying that the thing is seized.
108
Moving things to another place for examination or
108 Moving things to another place for examination or
processing under warrant
(1) A thing found at premises entered under a warrant may be moved to
another place for examination or processing to decide whether it may
be seized under the warrant if—
(a) both of the following apply:
(i) there are reasonable grounds for believing that the thing is
or contains something to which the warrant relates;
(ii) it is significantly more practicable to do so taking into
account the timeliness and cost of examining or processing
the thing at another place and the availability of expert
assistance; or
(b) the occupier of the premises agrees in writing.
(2) The thing may be moved to another place for examination or
processing for not longer than 72 hours.
(3) An authorised person may apply to a magistrate for an extension of
time if they believe on reasonable grounds that the thing cannot be
examined or processed within 72 hours.
(4) The authorised person must give notice of the application to the
occupier of the premises, and the occupier is entitled to be heard on
the application.
(5) If a thing is moved to another place under this section, the authorised
person must, if practicable—
(a) tell the person from whom the thing was seized the address of
the place where, and time when, the examination or processing
will be carried out; and
(b) allow the person from whom the thing was seized or their
representative to be present during the examination or
processing.
(6) The provisions of this part relating to the issue of warrants apply, with
any necessary changes, to the giving of an extension under
subsection (3).
109
Owner etc may access seized things
109 Owner etc may access seized things
A person who would, apart from the seizure, be entitled to inspect a
thing seized under this division may—
(a) inspect the thing; and
(b) make a visual recording of the thing; and
(c) if the thing is a document—take extracts from, or make copies
of, the thing.
110
Person must not interfere with seized things
110 Person must not interfere with seized things
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) a thing has been seized under this division; and
(b) the person interferes with the thing, or anything containing the
thing; and
(c) the person does not have the approval of an authorised person to
interfere with the thing.
(2) An offence against this section is a strict liability offence.
111
Authorised person must give receipt for seized things
111 Authorised person must give receipt for seized things
(1) If an authorised person seizes a thing under this division, they must—
(a) as soon as practicable after seizing the thing, give the person
from whom the thing was seized a receipt for the thing; or
(b) if complying with paragraph (a) is not practicable—secure a
receipt for the thing in a conspicuous place at the premises where
the thing was seized.
(2) A receipt must include the following information:
(a) a description of the thing seized;
(b) the reasons why the thing was seized;
(c) the authorised person’s name, and how they can be contacted;
(d) if the thing is moved from the premises where it was seized—
where the thing will be taken.
112
Return of seized things
112 Return of seized things
(1) Unless subsection (2) applies, a thing seized under this division must
be returned to its owner, or reasonable compensation must be paid to
the owner by the Territory for the loss of the thing.
(2) The thing is not required to be returned and reasonable compensation
is not required to be paid for it if—
(a) both of the following apply:
(i) a prosecution for an offence connected with the thing
(a relevant offence) is started against the owner within the
1-year period;
(ii) the proceeding (including any appeal) is finalised and the
owner is convicted or found guilty of the offence; or
(b) an infringement notice for a relevant offence is served on the
owner within the 1-year period and—
(i) the owner gives notice disputing liability for the offence
(a disputed liability notice) in accordance with the
Magistrates Court Act 1930, section 132; and
(ii) an information is laid in the Magistrates Court against the
owner for the offence within 60 days after the day the
disputed liability notice is given; and
(iii) the proceeding (including any appeal) is finalised and the
owner is convicted or found guilty of the offence; or
(c) an infringement notice for a relevant offence is served on the
owner within the 1-year period and—
(i) the infringement notice penalty for the offence is paid; and
(ii) the notice is not withdrawn; or
(d) a court makes an order under a territory law that the thing is
forfeited to the Territory or must be otherwise dealt with.
(3) If subsection (2) (a), (b) or (c) applies—
(a) the thing is forfeited to the Territory; and
(b) the director-general may direct that the thing be sold, destroyed
or otherwise disposed of.
1-year period, in relation to a seized thing, means 12 months after the
day the thing was seized.
113
Order disallowing seizure
113 Order disallowing seizure
(1) If a thing is seized under this division, a person claiming to be entitled
to the thing may apply to the Magistrates Court for an order
disallowing the seizure.
(2) The application—
(a) must be made not later than 10 days after the day the thing is
seized; and
(b) must not be heard unless the applicant has served a copy of the
application on the director-general.
(3) The director-general is entitled to appear as a respondent at the
hearing of the application.
(4) The court must make an order disallowing the seizure of the thing if
satisfied—
(a) the applicant would, apart from the seizure, be entitled to the
return of the seized thing; and
(b) the thing is not connected with an offence against this Act; and
(c) possession of the thing by the person would not be an offence.
(5) The court may also make an order disallowing the seizure if satisfied
there are exceptional circumstances justifying the making of the
order.
(6) If the court makes an order disallowing the seizure, the court may
make 1 or more of the following ancillary orders:
(a) an order directing the director-general to return the thing to the
applicant or to someone else who appears to be entitled to it;
(b) if the thing cannot be returned or has depreciated in value
because of the disallowed seizure—an order directing the
Territory to pay reasonable compensation;
(c) an order about costs in relation to the application.
114
Damage etc to be minimised
114 Damage etc to be minimised
(1) In the exercise, or purported exercise, of a function under this part, an
authorised person must take reasonable steps to ensure that they, and
any person assisting them, cause as little inconvenience, detriment
and damage as is practicable.
Miscellaneous Division 8.7
(2) If an authorised person, or a person assisting them, damages anything
in the exercise or purported exercise of a function under this part, the
authorised person must give written notice of the details of the
damage to the person who they believe on reasonable grounds is the
owner of the thing.
(3) If the damage occurs on premises entered under this part in the
absence of the occupier, the notice may be given by securing it in a
conspicuous place at the premises.
115
Compensation for exercise of enforcement powers
115 Compensation for exercise of enforcement powers
(1) A person may claim compensation from the Territory if the person
suffers loss or expense because of the exercise, or purported exercise,
of a function under this part by—
(a) an authorised person; or
(b) a person assisting an authorised person.
(2) Compensation may be claimed and ordered in a proceeding for—
(a) compensation brought in a court of competent jurisdiction; or
(b) an offence against this Act brought against the person making
the claim for compensation.
(3) A court may order the payment of reasonable compensation for the
loss or expense only if satisfied it is just to make the order in the
circumstances of the particular case.
(4) A regulation may prescribe matters that may, must or must not be
taken into account by the court in considering whether it is just to
make the order.
Part 9
Procedural and evidentiary
Part 9 Procedural and evidentiary
provisions
116
Court to notify director-general of offence
116 Court to notify director-general of offence
If a person is convicted or found guilty of an offence against this Act,
the registrar or other proper officer of the court must notify the
director-general in writing.
117
Destruction or falsification of records
117 Destruction or falsification of records
(1) A person commits an offence if—
(a) the person knowingly falsifies or destroys a record; and
(b) the record is a pre-commencement record or another record
required to be kept under this Act.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to the destruction of a record if—
(a) the destruction is authorised by the director-general; or
(b) the record is a hard copy version that has been converted to
electronic format.
pre-commencement record—see section 71.
118
Criminal liability of executive officer
118 Criminal liability of executive officer
(1) An executive officer of a corporation is taken to commit an offence
if—
(a) the corporation commits an offence against this Act (a relevant
offence); and
Procedural and evidentiary provisions Part 9
(b) the officer was reckless about whether the relevant offence
would be committed; and
(c) the officer was in a position to influence the conduct of the
corporation in relation to the commission of the relevant
offence; and
(d) the officer failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the
commission of the relevant offence.
Maximum penalty: The maximum penalty that may be imposed for
the commission of the offence by an individual.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the corporation would have a defence
to a prosecution for the relevant offence.
(3) In deciding whether the executive officer took (or failed to take)
reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the relevant offence, a
court must consider the following:
(a) any action the officer took directed towards ensuring the
following (to the extent that the action is relevant to the act or
omission):
(i) that the corporation arranges regular professional
assessments of the corporation’s compliance with the
provision to which the relevant offence relates;
(ii) that the corporation implements any appropriate
recommendation arising from such an assessment;
(iii) that the corporation’s employees, agents and contractors
have a reasonable knowledge and understanding of the
requirement to comply with the provision to which the
relevant offence relates;
(b) any action the officer took when the officer became aware that
the relevant offence was, or might be, about to be committed.
(4) Subsection (3) does not limit the matters the court may consider.
(5) This section applies whether or not the corporation is prosecuted for,
or convicted of, the relevant offence.
119
Evidentiary certificates
119 Evidentiary certificates
In a proceeding for an offence against this Act, a certificate that
appears to be signed by the director-general or another person
prescribed by regulation, and that states a matter relating to any of the
following, is evidence of the matter:
(a) the registration of an ART provider under part 3;
(b) the prohibition of a person from carrying on a business, or part
of a business, that provides ART services under division 7.3;
(c) any other matter prescribed by regulation relating to the
administration of this Act.
120
Disclosure of information by ART providers and others
120 Disclosure of information by ART providers and others
(1) A requirement to disclose information under this Act has effect
despite any duty of confidentiality or other restriction on disclosure
(including under the Health Records (Privacy and Access) Act 1997).
(2) If a person discloses information in accordance with this Act—
(a) the disclosure is not—
(i) a breach of confidence; or
(ii) a breach of professional etiquette or ethics; or
(iii) a breach of a rule of professional conduct; and
(b) the person does not incur civil or criminal liability only because
of the disclosure.
Procedural and evidentiary provisions Part 9
121
Protection of public officials from liability
121 Protection of public officials from liability
(1) A public official is not civilly liable for conduct engaged in honestly
and without recklessness—
(a) in the exercise of a function under this Act or another territory
law; or
(b) in the reasonable belief that the conduct was in the exercise of a
function under this Act or another territory law.
(2) Any liability that would, apart from this section, attach to the public
official attaches instead to the Territory.
public official—
(a) means—
(i) the director-general; or
(ii) an authorised person; or
(iii) a person exercising a function under this Act; but
(b) does not include an ART provider.
Part 10 Notification and review of decisions
Part 10 Notification and review of
decisions
122 Meaning of reviewable decision—pt 10
reviewable decision means a decision of the director-general to—
(a) impose conditions on registration under section 16; or
(b) give an improvement notice under section 79; or
(c) refuse to revoke an improvement notice under section 82; or
(d) give a prohibition notice under section 84; or
(e) refuse to revoke a prohibition notice under section 86.
123
Reviewable decision notices
123 Reviewable decision notices
If the director-general makes a reviewable decision in relation to an
ART provider, the director-general must give a reviewable decision
notice to the ART provider.
Note The director-general must also take reasonable steps to give a reviewable
decision notice to any other person whose interests are affected by the
decision (see ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 2008, s 67A).
124
Applications for review
124 Applications for review
The following people may apply to the ACAT for review of a
reviewable decision:
(a) the ART provider in relation to which the decision has been
made;
(b) any other person whose interests are affected by the decision.
Miscellaneous Part 11
125
Determination of fees
125 Determination of fees
(1) The Minister may determine fees for this Act.
(2) A determination is a disallowable instrument.
126
Applying, adopting or incorporating documents in
126 Applying, adopting or incorporating documents in
regulations
(1) A regulation may apply, adopt or incorporate (with or without change
or modification)—
(a) a law as in force from time to time; or
(b) another instrument as in force from time to time.
(2) The Legislation Act, section 47 (6) does not apply to an instrument
applied, adopted or incorporated under subsection (1).
Note An instrument under s (1) does not need to be notified under the
Legislation Act because s 47 (6) does not apply (see Legislation Act,
s 47 (7)).
(3) The director-general must ensure that an instrument applied, adopted
or incorporated under subsection (1) is—
(a) available for inspection by anyone without charge during
ordinary business hours at an ACT government office; or
(b) accessible on an ACT government website, or by a link on an
ACT government website.
(4) An instrument that is applied, adopted or incorporated under
subsection (1) is not enforceable by or against the Territory or anyone
else unless it is made accessible in accordance with subsection (3).
127
Regulation-making power
127 Regulation-making power
(1) The Executive may make regulations for this Act.
(2) A regulation may create offences and fix maximum penalties of not
more than 30 penalty units for the offences.
128
Definitions—pt 12
128 Definitions—pt 12
basic provisions means—
(a) section 39 (Donated gametes or embryos—time limits on use);
and
(b) section 40 (Donated gametes or embryos—limits on number of
families); and
(c) section 53 (Mandatory information).
extended provisions means—
(a) the basic provisions; and
(b) section 46 (Requirement to collect information about gamete
provider); and
(c) section 47 (Requirement to collect information about person
undergoing ART treatment); and
(d) section 48 (Requirement to keep records).
transitional period means the period starting on 29 March 2024 and
ending on 28 September 2024.
129
Use, supply and export of gametes and embryos
129 Use, supply and export of gametes and embryos
A provision relating to the use, supply or export of a gamete or
embryo applies to a gamete obtained, or an embryo created, before
the end of the transitional period.
130
Storage of gametes and embryos
130 Storage of gametes and embryos
Section 43 (Storage of gametes or embryos) does not apply to a
gamete obtained, or an embryo created, before the end of the
transitional period.
131
Completion of family—subsequent gametes where
131 Completion of family—subsequent gametes where
person became pregnant before end of transitional period
(1) This section applies if, before the end of the transitional period,
a person became pregnant as a result of ART treatment using a
donated gamete.
(3) For a subsequent gamete used in accordance with this section, the
extended provisions do not apply to the ART provider in relation to
the subsequent gamete, or an embryo created from the subsequent
132
Completion of family—embryos created before end of
132 Completion of family—embryos created before end of
transitional period
(1) This section applies to an embryo created from a donated gamete
before the end of the transitional period, for use in the provision of
ART treatment to a particular person.
(2) An ART provider may use the embryo to provide ART treatment to
the person or their domestic partner.
(3) For an embryo used in accordance with this section, the extended
provisions do not apply to the ART provider in relation to the embryo.
132A
Completion of family—subsequent gametes where
132A Completion of family—subsequent gametes where
embryo created before end of transitional period
(a) an embryo was created from a donated gamete before the end of
the transitional period, for use in the provision of ART treatment
to a particular person; and
(b) at any time, the person or their domestic partner becomes
pregnant as a result of ART treatment using the embryo.
(3) For a subsequent gamete used in accordance with this section, the
extended provisions do not apply to the ART provider in relation to
the subsequent gamete, or an embryo created from the subsequent
132B
Completion of family—gametes donated and allocated
132B Completion of family—gametes donated and allocated
before end of transitional period
(1) This section applies to a donated gamete that was allocated to
a particular person before the end of the transitional period.
(2) An ART provider may use the gamete—
(3) For a gamete used in accordance with this section—
(a) if the gamete was allocated before the transitional period—
the extended provisions do not apply to the ART provider in
relation to the gamete or an embryo created from the gamete;
and
(b) if the gamete was allocated during the transitional period—
the basic provisions do not apply to the ART provider in relation
to the gamete or an embryo created from the gamete.
(4) For this section, a donated gamete is allocated to a particular person
if—
(a) the gamete has been obtained by the person, or an ART provider,
for the purpose of providing ART treatment to the person or their
domestic partner; or
(b) the gamete is held in storage and an arrangement is in place for
it to be given to the person, or an ART provider, for the purpose
of providing ART treatment to the person or their domestic
partner.
132C
Completion of family—subsequent gametes where
132C Completion of family—subsequent gametes where
gamete allocated before end of transitional period
(a) a donated gamete was allocated to a particular person before the
end of the transitional period (the first gamete); and
(b) at any time, the person or their domestic partner becomes
pregnant as a result of ART treatment using the first gamete.
(3) For a subsequent gamete used in accordance with this section—
(a) if the first gamete was allocated before the transitional period—
the extended provisions do not apply to the ART provider in
relation to a subsequent gamete or an embryo created from a
subsequent gamete; and
(b) if the first gamete was allocated during the transitional period—
the basic provisions do not apply to the ART provider in relation
to a subsequent gamete or an embryo created from a subsequent
allocated—see section 132B (4).
132D
Donor taken to consent to use of gametes and embryos
132D Donor taken to consent to use of gametes and embryos
for completion of family
(1) This section applies to a donated gamete or embryo created from a
donated gamete used in accordance with a completion of family
provision.
(2) The donor is taken to have consented to the use and may modify or
withdraw consent in accordance with section 30.
completion of family provision means—
(a) section 131; and
(b) section 132; and
(c) section 132A; and
(d) section 132B; and
(e) section 132C.
132E
Certain things done or omitted to be done not invalid
132E Certain things done or omitted to be done not invalid
(a) before the commencement day, an ART provider has done or
omitted to do something; and
(b) on or after the commencement day, the ART provider could
have validly done or omitted to do the thing under a completion
of family provision.
(2) The thing is taken to have been validly done or omitted to be done.
commencement day means 28 March 2025.
completion of family provision—see section 132D (3).
133
Expiry—pt 12
133 Expiry—pt 12
This part expires 15 years after the day it commences.
Note A transitional provision is repealed on its expiry but continues to have
effect after its repeal (see Legislation Act, s 88).
(see s 3)
Note The Legislation Act contains definitions relevant to this Act.
For example:
• ACT
• adult
• director-general (see s 163)
• disallowable instrument (see s 9)
• doctor
• domestic partner (see s 169 (1))
• Executive
• exercise
• fail
• found guilty
• function
• home address
• individual
• in relation to
• Minister (see s 162)
• notifiable instrument (see s 10)
• parent
• penalty unit (see s 133)
• the Territory.
accessible information, about a donor, for division 6.3 (Access to
information held by ART providers)—see section 75.
ART accreditation means accreditation by any of the following:
(a) the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee of the
Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand (ACN 006 214
115);
(b) a body prescribed for the Research Involving Human Embryos
Act 2002 (Cwlth), section 8, definition of accredited ART
centre, paragraph (b);
(c) another body prescribed by regulation.
artificial insemination means a procedure of transferring sperm
without also transferring an oocyte into the vagina, cervical canal or
uterus of a person.
ART legislation means this Act and the following:
(a) the Human Cloning and Embryo Research Act 2004;
(b) the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002
(Cwlth);
(c) the Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 (Cwlth).
(a) for this Act generally—see section 11; and
(b) for part 6 (Pre-commencement records and other information
held by ART providers)—see section 71.
ART service—see section 10.
ART treatment (or assisted reproductive technology treatment)—
see section 9.
assessed by a counsellor, for part 5 (Donor register)—
see section 51 (2).
associated entity, of a corporation, for part 7 (Regulatory action)—
see section 78.
authorised person, for part 8 (Enforcement)—see section 89.
child—see the Children and Young People Act 2008, section 11.
commencement day means—
(a) for part 5 (Donor register)—see section 50; and
(b) for part 6 (Pre-commencement records and other information
held by ART providers)—see section 71.
connected, for part 8 (Enforcement)—see section 89.
consent, of a gamete provider, means consent given by the gamete
provider under section 29.
donated embryo means an embryo donated after its creation for use
by someone other than—
(a) the gamete providers from whom the gametes used to create the
embryo were obtained; or
(b) a domestic partner of the gamete providers.
donated gamete—
(a) means a gamete donated by a gamete provider for use by
someone other than the gamete provider or their domestic
partner, and
(b) includes a gamete used to create a donated embryo, whether or
not the gamete was originally obtained from the gamete provider
as a donated gamete and whether or not the embryo was
originally created for use as a donated embryo.
donor—
(a) means a gamete provider from whom a donated gamete is
obtained; and
(b) in relation to a donor conceived person—
(i) means the gamete provider of a donated gamete used in
ART treatment resulting in the person’s birth; and
(ii) for part 5 (Donor register)—see section 50.
donor code, for part 5 (Donor register)—see section 50.
donor conceived, in relation to a person—
(a) means a person born as a result of ART treatment using a
donated gamete; and
(b) for part 5 (Donor register)—see section 50.
donor register means the register established under section 52.
donor sibling, in relation to a donor conceived person—
(a) means the person’s sibling born as a result of ART treatment
using a gamete donated by the person’s donor; and
(b) for part 5 (Donor register)—see section 50.
embryo means a discrete entity that—
(a) has arisen from either—
(i) the first mitotic division when fertilisation of a human
oocyte by a human sperm is complete; or
(ii) any other process that initiates organised development of a
biological entity with a human nuclear genome or altered
human nuclear genome that has the potential to develop up
to, or beyond, the stage at which the primitive streak
appears; and
(b) has not yet reached 8 weeks of development since the first
mitotic division.
executive officer, of a corporation, means a person, however
described and whether or not the person is a director of the
corporation, who is concerned with, or takes part in, the corporation’s
management.
full name, in relation to a donor, means each full name ever used by
the donor.
gamete—
(a) means a human sperm or a human oocyte; and
(b) for a gamete used in the provision of ART treatment—includes
an embryo created from the gamete.
gamete provider—
(a) in relation to a gamete—means the person from whom the
gamete has been obtained; and
(b) in relation to an embryo—means a person from whom a gamete
used to create the embryo was obtained.
improvement notice—see section 79 (2).
informal donor arrangement, for part 5 (Donor register)—see
section 50.
mandatory information means information of a kind given under
section 53.
mature donor conceived person, for part 5 (Donor register)—see
section 51 (1).
obtain, a gamete, includes receive a gamete.
occupier, of premises, for part 8 (Enforcement)—see section 89.
offence, for part 8 (Enforcement)—see section 89.
pre-commencement record, for part 6 (Pre-commencement records
and other information held by ART providers)—see section 71.
premises—
(a) for this Act generally—includes any land or building and part of
any land or building; and
(b) for part 8 (Enforcement)—see section 89.
prohibition notice—see section 84 (2).
recipient, in relation to an improvement notice or prohibition notice,
for part 7 (Regulatory action)—see section 78.
registered ART provider means a person registered as an ART
provider under part 3.
related corporation, for part 7 (Regulatory action)—see section 78.
relevant medical history, of a donor, means any medical history or
genetic test results of the donor or their family that are relevant to the
future health of—
(a) a person undergoing ART treatment using the donor’s donated
gamete; or
(b) the donor’s donor conceived offspring; or
(c) a child of the donor’s donor conceived offspring.
remote application, for division 8.5 (Warrants)—see section 100 (3).
retention period, in relation to a pre-commencement record, for
part 6 (Pre-commencement records and other information held by
ART providers)—see section 71.
reviewable decision, for part 10 (Notification and review of
decisions)—see section 122.
self-insemination means artificial insemination not performed or
supervised by a doctor on behalf of a registered ART provider.
warrant, for part 8 (Enforcement)—see section 89.
warrant form, for division 8.5 (Warrants)—see section 103 (2).
warrant terms, for division 8.5 (Warrants)—see section 102 (2).
young person—see the Children and Young People Act 2008,
section 12.
About the endnotes 1
1 About the endnotes
Amending and modifying laws are annotated in the legislation history and the
amendment history. Current modifications are not included in the republished law
but are set out in the endnotes.
Not all editorial amendments made under the Legislation Act 2001, part 11.3 are
annotated in the amendment history. Full details of any amendments can be
obtained from the Parliamentary Counsel’s Office.
Uncommenced amending laws are not included in the republished law. The details
of these laws are underlined in the legislation history. Uncommenced expiries are
underlined in the legislation history and amendment history.
If all the provisions of the law have been renumbered, a table of renumbered
provisions gives details of previous and current numbering.
The endnotes also include a table of earlier republications.
2
Abbreviation key
2 Abbreviation key
A = Act NI = Notifiable instrument
AF = Approved form o = order
am = amended om = omitted/repealed
amdt = amendment ord = ordinance
AR = Assembly resolution orig = original
ch = chapter par = paragraph/subparagraph
CN = Commencement notice pres = present
def = definition prev = previous
DI = Disallowable instrument (prev...) = previously
dict = dictionary pt = part
disallowed = disallowed by the Legislative r = rule/subrule
Assembly reloc = relocated
div = division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired R[X] = Republication No
Gaz = gazette RI = reissue
hdg = heading s = section/subsection
IA = Interpretation Act 1967 sch = schedule
ins = inserted/added sdiv = subdivision
LA = Legislation Act 2001 SL = Subordinate law
LR = legislation register sub = substituted
LRA = Legislation (Republication) Act 1996 underlining = whole or part not commenced
mod = modified/modification or to be expired
3 Legislation history
3 Legislation history
Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024 A2024-7
notified LR 28 March 2024
s 1, s 2 commenced 28 March 2024 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 1, pt 2, div 4.5, div 6.1, div 6.2, pt 11, pt 12, dict
commenced 29 March 2024 (s 2 (1))
pt 5 commenced 28 March 2025 (s 2 (3) (b))
remainder commenced 28 September 2024 (s 2 (2) and LA s 79)
as amended by
Health Legislation Amendment Act 2024 A2024-42 pt 2
notified LR 17 September 2024
s 1, s 2 commenced 17 September 2024 (LA s 75 (1))
pt 2 commenced 28 September 2024 (s 2 (2) (a) and see A2024-7
s 2 (2) and LA s 79)
Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Act 2025 A2025-6
notified LR 27 March 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 27 March 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
s 5 commenced 28 March 2025 (s 2 (2))
remainder commenced 28 March 2025 (s 2 (1))
Statute Law Amendment Act 2025 A2025-29 sch 3 pt 3.6
notified LR 6 November 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 6 November 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
sch 3 pt 3.6 commenced 16 November 2025 (s 2 (1))
Assisted Reproductive Technology Amendment Act 2025 (No 2)
A2025-35
notified LR 15 December 2025
s 1, s 2 commenced 15 December 2025 (LA s 75 (1))
remainder commenced 16 December 2025 (s 2)
Amendment history 4
4 Amendment history
Commencement
s 2 om LA s 89 (4)
Donated gametes or embryos—limits on number of families
s 40 am A2025-6 s 4; A2025-29 amdt 3.10
Definitions—pt 5
s 50 def assessed by a counsellor ins A2025-35 s 4
def commencement day am A2025-35 s 5
def mature donor conceived person am A2025-35 s 6
Meaning of mature donor conceived person etc—pt 5
s 51 sub A2025-35 s 7
Mandatory information
s 53 am A2025-6 s 5
Disclosure to donor conceived person—adult or assessed by counsellor
s 66 sub A2025-35 s 8
Disclosure to donor conceived person—16 or 17 years old and not assessed
by counsellor
s 66A ins A2025-35 s 8
Disclosure to parent of donor conceived child or young person
s 67 am A2025-35 s 9, s 10
Pre-commencement records and other information held by ART providers
pt 6 hdg sub A2025-35 s 11
Definitions—pt 6
s 71 def commencement day am A2025-35 s 12
Access to information held by ART providers
div 6.3 hdg sub A2025-35 s 13
div 6.3 hdg note am A2025-35 s 14
Meaning of accessible information—div 6.3
s 75 am A2025-35 s 15
Return of seized things
s 112 am A2024-42 s 4
Criminal liability of executive officer
s 118 am A2025-29 amdt 3.11
Protection of public officials from liability
s 121 am A2025-6 s 6
Applying, adopting or incorporating documents in regulations
s 126 hdg sub A2025-29 amdt 3.12
s 126 am A2025-29 amdts 3.13-3.17; pars renum R4 LA
4 Amendment history
Transitional
pt 12 hdg exp 29 March 2039 (s 133)
Definitions—pt 12
s 128 sub A2025-6 s 7
am A2025-35 s 16
Use, supply and export of gametes and embryos
s 129 exp 29 March 2039 (s 133)
Storage of gametes and embryos
s 130 exp 29 March 2039 (s 133)
Completion of family—subsequent gametes where person became pregnant
before end of transitional period
s 131 sub A2024-42 s 5; A2025-6 s 8
Completion of family—embryos created before end of transitional period
s 132 sub A2025-6 s 8
Completion of family—subsequent gametes where embryo created before
end of transitional period
s 132A ins A2025-6 s 8
Completion of family—gametes donated and allocated before end of
transitional period
s 132B ins A2025-6 s 8
Completion of family—subsequent gametes where gamete allocated before
end of transitional period
s 132C ins A2025-6 s 8
Donor taken to consent to use of gametes and embryos for completion of
family
s 132D ins A2025-6 s 8
Certain things done or omitted to be done not invalid
s 132E ins A2025-6 s 8
am A2025-35 s 17
Expiry—pt 12
s 133 exp 29 March 2039 (s 133)
Amendment history 4
Consequential amendments
pt 13 hdg om LA s 89 (3)
Freedom of Information Act 2016
s 134 om LA s 89 (3)
Human Cloning and Embryo Research Act 2004
s 135 om LA s 89 (3)
dict def accessible information am A2025-35 s 18
def ART provider am A2025-35 s 19
def assessed by a counsellor ins A2025-35 s 20
def commencement day am A2025-35 s 21
def mature donor conceived person am A2025-35 s 22
def pre-commencement record am A2025-35 s 23
def retention period am A2025-35 s 23
5 Earlier republications
5 Earlier republications
Some earlier republications were not numbered. The number in column 1 refers to
the publication order.
Since 12 September 2001 every authorised republication has been published in
electronic pdf format on the ACT legislation register. A selection of authorised
republications have also been published in printed format. These republications are
marked with an asterisk (*) in column 1. Electronic and printed versions of an
authorised republication are identical.
Republication
No and date
Effective Last
amendment
made by
Republication
for
29 Mar 2024
29 Mar 2024–
27 Sept 2024
not amended new Act
28 Sept 2024
28 Sept 2024–
27 Mar 2025
A2024-42 commenced
provisions and
amendments by
A2024-42
28 Mar 2025
28 Mar 2025–
15 Nov 2025
A2025-6 commenced
provisions and
amendments by
A2025-6
16 Nov 2025
16 Nov 2025–
15 Dec 2025
A2025-29 amendments by
A2025-29