The Central Register

"I started searching for my donor, after my second shoulder re-construction. The doctors said: 'We don’t know why your shoulders are like this, you were obviously born with it, it’s genetic.' Mum is an only child and shoulder problems don’t run on her side of the family. I really wanted to look for this person and get some medical history and I wanted to know more about my donor." Chloe, Donor-conceived person

The Central Register holds the names and dates of birth (identifying information) of all parties to donor conception treatment in Victoria - donor-conceived people, their parents, and donors. The information is provided to VARTA by the fertility clinics where treatment occurred. People can apply to the Central Register for both identifying and non-identifying information.

Identifying information may include: name, date of birth, donor code and contact information (including address, telephone number, and email address).

It may also hold additional details (non-identifying information) about the donor and parents. This includes information that does not reveal someone’s identity, including hair colour, eye colour, interests, occupation and education, or the gender, month and year of birth of people born from the same donor.

Consent is not needed for the release of non-identifying information recorded on the Central Register.

Who can apply and conditions for the release of identifying information?

Donor-conceived people

Donor-conceived people and their descendants can apply when they are 18 years, or younger if a VARTA counsellor considers they are sufficiently mature.

All donor-conceived people are entitled to receive identifying information (name and date of birth and donor code) of their donor. Donors who donated before 1998 can lodge a contact preference specifying the manner of contact they are willing to have with their donor offspring. This can include a preference for no contact. Contact preferences create legal obligations on the applicant.

If there is no available information about the donor, or VARTA cannot satisfy itself that the applicant is related through the use of available records, no information will be released.
If the donor cannot be notified, located, or has died and the donor’s identifying information is available, the information will be provided to the donor-conceived applicant within four months of VARTA attempting to notify the donor, unless there are exceptional circumstances. Information will then be released to the applicant on the condition that if the donor-conceived person is able to locate the donor, they will share that information with VARTA.
If the donor-conceived person comes into possession of new information about the donor which may lead to the donor being located and contacted, they are required by law to provide this information to VARTA and must not contact the donor. VARTA can then attempt to locate the donor and make contact on the donor-conceived person’s behalf.

Making an application to the Central Register

Parents of a donor-conceived person

Parents can apply at any time after the birth of their child. They do not need to wait until their child is 18 years.
The donor needs to give their consent before identifying information is released.

Making an application to the Central Register

Descendants of a donor-conceived person

Descendants of donor-conceived people are entitled to apply for information about the donor.

Making an application to the Central Register

Donors

Donors can apply for information about their donor offspring.
Consent of the adult donor-conceived person - or the parent if the child is under 18 years - is required in order for the information to be released. Donor-conceived people can lodge a contact preference specifying the way in which they want to have contact - or if they do not want contact.

Making an application to the Central Register

Applying to the Central Register

How to apply

Complete the application form.
Attach the required proof of identity documentation.
Authorise payment.

Making an application to the Central Register

Central Register application form

Fee for Central Register applications

The application fee is $76.72 for each category of application.

This fee may be waived if you: (effective 1 October 2019).

Provide a statement of how payment of the application fee would cause you hardship.
Have previously applied for information on the Central Register and paid a fee for the application.
You are a donor sibling of an applicant who applied for information on the Central Register and paid a fee for the application.

Central Register process

Apply	Applicant completes and submits application form and pays the required fee. Central Register application form
Attend	The applicant is required to attend a free information and support session. What is an information and support session? With the help of the counsellor, the applicant may write their Statement of reasons which explains what they would like to happen in the short and long term as a result of their application. This information will help the contacted party understand what the other person wants. Writing your Statement of reasons
Search	VARTA conducts a search for the donor record (if available) and the current address for the person about whom the applicant is enquiring. VARTA may need to utilise the services of a search agency to assist with locating the other party. If no record and/or current contact details are available, VARTA will advise the applicant.
Outreach	VARTA writes to the subject of the application and includes the applicant’s Statement of reasons form. The other party can also access support services from VARTA.
Decision	The subject of the application responds to VARTA and decides whether to consent to the release of information, where that option applies, or to lodge a contact preference (applicable for donor-conceived and donor applications concerning donor treatment before 1998). The applicant will be informed of their decision. If the contacted person has lodged a contact preference, the applicant needs to sign a consent form stating they will abide by this.

Privacy and disclosure of information

VARTA is responsible for the management of the Central Register under the Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 (Vic) (the Act). VARTA can only release information from the Central Register in accordance with the Act, or in other exceptional circumstances when required to do so by law. VARTA also has obligations under the the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 (Vic) and Health Records Act 2001 (Vic).

In line with the Act, VARTA will use your personal information for:

processing your application to the Central Register and donor linking services
updating the Central Register
statistical, educational, or reporting purposes.

Your information will only be disclosed to:

an individual with whom you are linked through this application with your consent
a third party search body authorised under the Act that is involved in the linking process.

No other parties will have access to your information. If you choose not to provide information, it may be difficult for VARTA to process your application. You may request that VARTA correct or amend information on the Central Register.

You may request access to your information at any time from VARTA. If VARTA refuses this request, you may make an application under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Vic).

If you wish to discuss our privacy and information disclosure policies or access your information, please contact us.

Tip

VARTA can assist with early contact or information exchange and can support anyone affected by the application (e.g. partner, children).

Search form

Who can apply and conditions for the release of identifying information?

Applying to the Central Register

Related content:

Tip

Share this