Victorian IVF clinics will face tougher oversight and stricter accreditation requirements under new legislation introduced by the Allan Government, following a national review that found weaknesses in the regulation of fertility services.
The proposed amendments to the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 aim to strengthen the powers of Victoria’s Department of Health and improve accountability across the state’s assisted reproductive technology sector.
The reforms come after a series of highly distressing incidents at private IVF providers prompted a national rapid review in 2025. Led by the Victorian Department of Health, the review examined the regulation and accreditation of IVF and assisted reproductive technology services across Australia.
The review identified shortcomings in the existing national framework, including inconsistent approaches between states and territories. The Victorian Government says the new legislation responds to key recommendations from the review while complementing broader national reforms currently being developed.
Under the proposed changes, fertility providers will be required to meet more rigorous accreditation standards through a new national scheme being developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. The framework, expected to be introduced in 2027, will include performance measures, workforce guidance and safety requirements relating to emerging technologies.
One of the key changes will separate provider registration from accreditation. At present, the two processes are closely linked. The Government argues that an independent registration process will allow authorities to take action on a provider’s ability to operate in Victoria without relying solely on accreditation outcomes.
The legislation would also introduce a standard three-year registration period for fertility providers. However, the Department of Health would be able to impose shorter registration periods where concerns or risks are identified.
Additional powers would allow the Minister for Health to cancel a provider’s registration in certain circumstances. The Department would also gain broader authority to enter premises, inspect facilities and seize equipment or documents where necessary.
The Government says the measures build on Victoria’s existing safeguards and oversight arrangements, which already provide legal protections for patients accessing fertility treatment.
Health Minister Harriet Shing said families seeking fertility treatment should be able to trust that providers are meeting high standards of care and safety.
“Victorian families deserve to have confidence that their IVF provider is held to the highest standards, and that the fertility care they are getting is subject to rigorous oversight,” Ms Shing said.
She said the reforms would require providers to comply with stricter rules to maintain accreditation while supporting national efforts to address regulatory inconsistencies across Australia.
The proposed legislation will now be considered by the Victorian Parliament.
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