Department of Health

Access to donor conception information

Key messages

  • Since 2017 the Victorian legislation now gives all Victorians conceived through donor treatment procedures access to available identifying information about their donors.
  • The Assisted Reproductive Treatment Amendment Act 2016 amended the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 enabling these Victorians to access information about their genetic heritage.
  • Applications for information from the donor conception registers are managed by the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA).

Access to donor information

In Victoria, people conceived through donor treatment procedures have the right to access available information about their donors on the donor conception register, the Central Register, regardless of when they were born, or their donor donated. Information may also be accessible from the Voluntary Register.

Since 1 March 2017, the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 (the Act) has allowed all people conceived through these treatment procedures to access information about their donors without the need for donor consent, including those people conceived from a donation made before 1 January 1998.

Applying for information - for donors and descendents

Donors may also access information on the Central Register about their offspring conceived through donor treatment procedures, with the consent of the offspring.

Parents of people conceived through donor treatment may obtain information about the donor with the donor’s consent.

Descendants of people conceived through donor treatment procedures may also access information about the donor from the Central Register. Special rules apply to child applicants and applications about children.

Applications for information from the donor conception registers (the Central Register and Voluntary Register) are managed by the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment AuthorityExternal Link (VARTA), established under the Act.

VARTA’s powers and responsibilities

Guidelines issued by the Secretary of the Department of Health’s predecessor provide more information about VARTA’s powers and responsibilities in relation to:

  • managing the donor conception registers, and
  • undertaking inquiries to link parties (including requesting information and conducting searches).
Section 100A Guidelines - Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 Guidelines
docx 360.36 KB

Contacting VARTA

For further information regarding the application process and associated rights and obligations, visit VARTAExternal Link to discuss the application process.

VARTA can be contacted on +61 3 8622 0500 [landline] or via email: varta@varta.org.au

Reviewed 13 December 2023

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More information

Contact us

Assisted Reproductive Treatment Consulation Department of Health

50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
ARTconsultation@health.vic.gov.au
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