Information to be collected

Why information is collected​

ART providers play a key role in keeping accurate information about the people who provide their sperm and eggs for use in ART services and those who undergo fertility treatment. Collecting this information helps to:​

  • protect people born through ART, by keeping reliable records for the future​
  • support the safety and quality of ART treatment​
  • ensure all sperm, eggs and embryos are used with appropriate consent​ and accurate records are kept
  • help track outcomes of treatment
  • support the Donor Conception Information Register (DCIR)​
  • meet legal obligations under the ART Act​.

Good record keeping helps protect donor-conceived people’s ability to access accurate information about their genetic origins.​

Information collected about sperm, egg and embryo providers

Before an ART provider obtains sperm, eggs or embryos for use or storage, certain information must be collected. This applies whether the sperm or eggs are obtained directly from the person, or through another provider, donor bank, or overseas provider.

Information to be collected from all sperm and egg providers​

For every person providing sperm and eggs (whether they will use them for their own treatment or donate them), the ART Act requires providers to collect:​

  • full name​
  • contact information (for example, postal address, phone number and email address)
  • date and place of birth​.

ART providers are expected to collect and record multiple methods for contacting each individual, so people can always be reached if and when necessary.

Information to be collected from people donating their sperm, eggs or embryos​

For donated sperm, eggs and embryos, more detailed information is required so donor-conceived people can access meaningful information about the donor, should they choose to in the future. Providers must collect the:​

  • donor’s ethnicity and physical characteristics​
  • donor’s relevant medical history​
  • sex and year of birth of each of the donor’s existing children (whether donor-conceived or not).​

This information forms part of the donor’s record in the Donor conception information register (DCIR).

​How and when information is collected​

ART providers must collect the required information before:​

  • obtaining sperm or eggs for treatment or storage​
  • using sperm, eggs or embryos in any ART procedure​.

Information must be collected even if the sperm, eggs or embryos were obtained interstate or overseas. If sperm, eggs or embryos are transferred between providers, each provider involved must make sure they supply and receive the required information, including consent documentation. Good record keeping supports continuity of care and compliance with the law.​

​If some information is not available ​

The ART Act requires all information to be collected before an ART provider can use sperm, eggs or embryos. In some cases, certain pieces of information may not be available, particularly for donated sperm or eggs that were obtained a long time ago. If required information cannot be collected despite taking reasonable steps to do so, an ART provider may apply to Queensland Health for approval to use the sperm, eggs or embryo.

This process is intended to be used in limited circumstances and helps ensure people are not unfairly prevented from using sperm, eggs or embryos where the missing information cannot reasonably be obtained.

Information collected about a person undergoing fertility treatment

When a person undergoes an assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedure, the provider must collect a person’s:

  • full name
  • contact information (for example, postal address, phone number and email address)
  • date and place of birth.

If the person has a spouse at the time of the procedure (and they are not separated and living apart), the provider must also collect the spouse’s full name and date of birth.

Last updated: 14 May 2026