Use of gametes and embryos

Gametes (sperm or eggs), embryos and eggs undergoing fertilisation may only be stored by:

  • a licenced storage provider; or
  • a person who has received an exemption in relation to research on excess Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) embryos.
Embryo Storage
In Western Australia, an embryo may be stored for ten years from the date of freeze or the date the embryo/s was imported into Western Australia. The Reproductive Technology Council (Council) may approve an embryo storage extension when the application is received prior to the end of the storage date. For further information on embryo storage please see: Embryo Storage | Reproductive Technology Council (rtc.org.au)
Importation or export of gametes or embryos

There may be a need to move gametes or embryos into or out of Western Australia. This may be because people have relocated, have accessed donor material from interstate/overseas, have accessed assisted reproductive technology interstate, have a surrogacy arrangement with a surrogate in a different jurisdiction or for some other reason.

The Human Reproductive Technology Directions 2021 (external site) sets out the criteria that regulates the movement of gametes/embryos in Western Australia.

Export

Exporting gametes or embryos for a use prohibited in Western Australia (WA) is not permitted including commercial surrogacy or breaching the five-family limit.

Approval from the Reproductive Technology Council (external site) is required to export donated gametes, embryos or eggs undergoing fertilisation for use in an artificial fertilisation procedure. 

Applicants must provide an undertaking to provide information for the Department of Health Reproductive Technology Treatment Registers about the outcome of the donation and provision of information on the recipient of the donated material.

Import

Imported gametes, embryos or eggs undergoing fertilisation can be received by a licensed fertility provider for:

  • use in an artificial fertilisation procedure;
  • use in a research project approved by the Reproductive Technology Council (external site); or
  • used under an National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) license (excess ART embryos only).

No specific approval is required for a person/couple to bring their own gametes or embryos into Western Australia (WA).

Where donated material is involved, the fertility provider must be able to meet the requirements of WA law. This includes:

  • Counselling: must be to an equivalent standard and by a professional with qualifications equivalent to what is required in WA;
  • Screening, quarantine and infection control;
  • Consent;
  • Family limits;
  • Access to information via the Reproductive Technology Treatment Registers.

Donated material can only be imported if the donor or a broker has not received any financial or material benefit from the donation. Evidence must be provided to demonstrate that the donation has been made altruistically and only reasonable expenses have been reimbursed.

The Licensee receiving the imported gametes or embryos must do their due diligence to confirm WA legal requirements have been met. It is the licensee who is responsible for accepting the donor material and the penalties for non-compliance can be severe. 

If requirements of WA law cannot be met in relation to the five-family limit or the information for the registers, approval from the Reproductive Technology Council (external site) is required. The Council have discretion to waive these two provisions on compassionate grounds where evidence of exceptional circumstances can be provided. There is no provision for approving an application to import where the other provisions cannot be met. Applicants must be able to demonstrate compliance with the other requirements as part of any import application.

Posthumous collection and use of gametes or embryos

Embryos

The Human Reproductive Technology Directions 2021 (external site) vests control of an embryo in the surviving partner. This means a woman may be able to use an embryo that had been created before the death of the sperm provider.

This can create issues where the relationship had broken down or if the partner who died had explicitly advised that they did not want an embryos used in the event of their death. 

Gametes

In Western Australia (WA) there are laws relating to the posthumous collection of gametes, but the posthumous use of gametes is currently prohibited.

The Human Tissue and Transplant Act 1982 (external site) may permit the posthumous collection of gametes for transplantation or for a therapeutic, medical or scientific purpose where:

  • the deceased person had consented to or expressed a wish for the collection; or
  • there is no evidence to suggest that the deceased person had an objection to the collection and the senior next of kin consents to the collection.

The Human Reproductive Technology Directions 2021 (external site) prohibits licensed fertility providers from using gametes in an artificial fertilisation procedure after the death of the gamete provider.

Therefore, it may be possible for senior next of kin to consent to the posthumous collection of gametes in some circumstances, however the gametes cannot be used in Western Australia.

Assisted reproductive technology legislation is being reviewed and the WA Government supports further consideration and research related to the posthumous use of gametes or embryos as part of this process.


More information

Reproductive Technology Unit

Email: rtu@health.wa.gov.au
Mail to: PO Box 8172, Perth Business Centre, WA 6849