Victorian IVF reforms introduced

7 July 2020 Position Statement: Genea welcomes the news that those struggling to conceive in Victoria will no longer need to pass police and child welfare checks before being approved to commence fertility treatment. The ART Amendment Bill has now received the Royal Assent, reforms will be effective as of 8 July 2020.

“Victoria is the only jurisdiction in the world that requires couples and individuals wanting IVF and other assisted reproductive technology treatments to undergo checks,” said General Manager of Fertility Kathleen Waite.

She added, “it adds an unnecessary step to the IVF journey, it is also discriminatory and not something endured by those who conceive naturally. Genea is pleased the government has listened to calls to remove the checks, anything we can do to make the process less stressful without compromising care and success is welcome news.”