A nationally consistent framework has been developed for the Commonwealth, and States and Territories.
Information guides
- Information and advice for organisations and individuals proposing to apply for a licence
- NHMRC Embryo Research Licensing Committee Information Kit
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Regulation of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Clinical Practice
Objective Criteria for embryos unsuitable for implantation
On 6 December 2007, the CEO of the NHMRC issued guidelines on when embryos are unsuitable for implantation. The guidelines are only to be used following a couple’s decision that particular embryos will not be used for ART treatment (this is a declaration that the embryos are excess to the reproductive needs of the couple). The guidelines are then used in making decisions on which of these excess embryos may be used for research.
The accompanying contextual information is available for download below:
Commonwealth and State Legislation
On 5 April 2002, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed that the Commonwealth, States and Territories would introduce nationally consistent legislation to ban human cloning and other unacceptable practices and to regulate research involving excess ART embryos.
The Research Involving Human Embryos Act 2002 and the Prohibition of Human Cloning for Reproduction Act 2002 were passed by Parliament in December 2002. These Acts establish a strong regulatory framework to prohibit certain unacceptable practices including human cloning, and to regulate uses of excess human embryos created though assisted reproductive technology (ART).