In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and reproductive technology

IVF and reproductive technology include a range of procedures that aim to help individuals and their families achieve a healthy pregnancy. IVF involves the handling of sperm, eggs or embryos outside the body.

Western Australian legislation requires assisted reproductive technology providers to be licensed. For a list of licenced clinics and further information on IVF services in Western Australia see below.

The Reproductive Technology Council (external site), is an advisory group to the Minister for Health which is responsible for overseeing the regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Western Australia under the Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 (external site) and Surrogacy Act 2008 (external site).

The WA Department of Health coordinates and implements the statutory duties required under the current legislation and supports Assisted Reproductive Technology or IVF clinics with licensing requirements and applications to the Reproductive Technology Council for reproductive technology. 

New assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy legislation for WA

The Government is committed to supporting more Western Australians to start a family or expand their family with help from Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and surrogacy that is safe and ethically sound for all.

To facilitate this the Minister for Health committed to the review and development of new assisted reproductive technology legislation in Western Australia. A Ministerial Expert Panel was (MEP) convened in 2022 to provide recommendations to the Minister for Health to ensure new legislation reflects social trends and medical and scientific advances for the accessible and safe use of ART and surrogacy. For further information see new assisted reproductive technology and surrogacy legislation for WA (external site).

This new Assisted Reproductive Technology legislation will be contemporary, inclusive and is intended to facilitate more Western Australians being able to access fertility services, to commence or expand their families. 

Current legislation policy and guidelines

Western Australian legislation that regulates the assisted reproductive technology:

• Human Reproductive Technology Act 1991 (external site)
• Human Reproductive Technology Regulations 1993 (external site)
• Human Reproductive Technology Directions 2021 (external site)
• Surrogacy Act 2008 (external site)
• Surrogacy Regulations 2009 (external site)
• Surrogacy Directions 2009 (external site)

Donor assisted conception

Donor Conception Information Service (DCIS), is designed to support and provide information to people who are donor-conceived or participants in donor conception through a licensed fertility clinic in Western Australia. For further information see Donor Conception Information Service (external site).