Ethical guidelines on the use of assisted reproductive technology
There are national ethical guidelines that apply to all assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Australia.
In addition to state and territory surrogacy legislation, there are national ethical guidelines that apply to all assisted reproductive technology (ART) in Australia - the Ethical guidelines on the use of assisted reproductive technology in clinical practice and research. These guidelines also prohibit commercial surrogacy services.
Clinicians in accredited IVF clinics are forbidden from practicing, promoting or recommending commercial surrogacy. The guidelines recognise that commercial surrogacy is ethically unacceptable because it raises concerns about the exploitation of the surrogate, the commissioning parent(s) and children born as a result of the surrogacy arrangement. Clinicians must conduct altruistic surrogacy ethically. This includes compliance with state and territory legislation and getting informed consent from surrogates. The guidelines provide that counselling must be provided before, during and after procedures.
The National Health and Medical Research Council administers the Guidelines. ART clinics' services are eligible for Medicare funding only if the clinic is accredited by the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee. Compliance with government laws and guidelines is an accreditation requirement.