Applications to the Patient Review Panel

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

All physical mail is digitised so there may be delays in its receipt. 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 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