Work Programme

4. Establishment of Monitoring Regimes

Section 35 (2) of the Human Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2004 requires the Advisory Committee on Assisted Reproductive Technology (ACART) to monitor the application and health outcomes of assisted reproductive procedures and established procedures, and developments in human reproductive research.

At present, ACART monitors the application and outcomes of assisted reproductive procedures approved by ECART through requiring clinics to submit an annual return reporting on progress with these procedures. This information is published each year in ACART’s annual report.

The application and outcomes of all procedures are currently monitored through fertility clinics submitting information on all babies born as a result of assisted reproductive technology to the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproductive Database. This information feeds into Australia’s National Perinatal Statistics Unit Annual Report.

In addition, ACART monitors developments in assisted reproductive technology and human reproductive research through the international literature and policy and legislative developments overseas.

A comprehensive approach to monitoring is being developed.

Page last updated: 6 December 2007