COVID-19 – Advice to applicants
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, from 24 March 2020 until further notice:
- all applications to the Patient Review Panel must be made via email: prp@health.vic.gov.au
- all inquiries should be made via email: prp@health.vic.gov.au
- hearings will continue and will be held via videoconference
- applicants will be advised of the process for videoconference hearings once a date for the hearing of their application has been fixed
- applicants should provide copies of their applications to their assisted reproductive treatment (ART) clinics
- if applicants have any concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on their current or future treatment, please contact your ART clinic.
Key messages
- Use the forms on this page to make applications to the Patient Review Panel VIA EMAIL ONLY.
- The Panel considers applications either at a hearing or 'on the papers' when the applicant is not required to attend.
- The Panel must inform you of its decision within 14 days of making that decision.
The Patient Review Panel considers applications for a range of procedures related to assisted reproduction.
Sex selection using pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
Use this application form if you and your partner (if applicable) seek approval to use pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), or equivalent, to select the sex of your child.
Posthumous use of gametes
Use this application form if your partner is deceased and you wish to use their gametes or embryos formed from their gametes in an ART procedure.
Removal of embryo from storage
Use this application form if you currently have embryos in storage at an ART provider and you wish to remove those embryos from storage but the other gamete provider does not agree to that removal.
Extension of storage for embryos
Use this application form if you and/or your partner (if applicable) have embryos currently in storage at an ART provider and you wish to extend that storage.
Extension of storage for gametes
Use this application form if you have sperm, eggs or ovarian tissue (ie. gametes) currently in storage at an ART provider and you wish to extend that storage.
Surrogacy arrangement
Use this application form if you and your partner (if applicable) are seeking to enter into a surrogacy arrangement.
Criteria not met
Use this application form if you and/or your partner (if applicable) do not meet the criteria for treatment stated in Section 10(2)(a) of the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 (the ART Act).
Completing an application form
Download the relevant application form. All the necessary forms are available to download from this page.
Each form includes an information sheet with instructions on how to complete the application. Detach the information sheet before scanning.
If you have any questions or concerns about completing an application, please contact your Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART) provider in the first instance.
Sending an application form
Applications MUST be sent by email to prp@health.vic.gov.au
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all mail is being digitised and forwarded onto the Panel so there may be delays in receipt of physical mail. As such, it is recommended to only send documents to the Panel via email.
Please also provide a copy of your application to your ART provider, or submit it to the Patient Review Panel through your ART provider.
After the Panel receives an application
After the Panel receives your application, it will be reviewed by Panel staff and you will be notified of your hearing date in due course.
You will be advised whether you need to attend a hearing before the Panel, or whether the matter will be determined without the need for you to attend.
Generally, you will need to attend a hearing if the application is for surrogacy arrangements, posthumous use of gametes and embryos, criteria not met and a review of a refusal to treat because of a risk of abuse or neglect to a child.
You may not need to attend a hearing if the application is for extended storage periods of gametes or embryos.
Attendance at a hearing from 24 March 2020 until further notice will be via videoconference. Details of how to participate in a videoconference hearing will be provided to you before your hearing date. If you have concerns about attending via videoconference, please contact Panel staff via email: prp@health.vic.gov.au
Notice of the hearing
If you need to attend a hearing, you will be served with a notice of the hearing that states:
- the nature of the hearing
- the date and time of the hearing
- that the applicant is entitled to attend the hearing, to make submissions and to be accompanied by another person
- that the hearing will not be open to the public
- that there is no right to legal representation at the hearing without leave from the Panel
- the possible findings or orders that the Panel may make.
Outcomes and decisions of the Panel
The Panel must inform you of its decision within 14 days of making a decision regarding your application. Please note that this may not be the same day as the hearing of your application and, for complex matters, may occur sometime afterwards.
Hearing outcomes are provided on a certificate that sets out the Panel’s decision. The Panel will provide written reasons for the decision.
A copy of the certificate will be forwarded to your assisted reproductive treatment clinic.
Guidance notes
NOTE: The following Panel guidance notes are currently under review or being prepared and when issued will be available below.
- Criteria Not Met guidance note
- Risk of abuse or neglect guidance note
Application forms
Guidance notes
Reviewed 13 January 2023