New amendment to the Health Legislation Amendment Bill set to boost IVF and organ donation hopes

Queensland has passed important new laws that will help people start families using assisted reproductive technology, and to assist sick people in getting organ transplants.

Queensland has passed important new laws that will help people start families using assisted reproductive technology, and to assist sick people in getting organ transplants.

The new laws, which were passed on Tuesday night, fix problems that were making it hard for people to use reproductive assistance, like IVF, to have a baby.

They also give doctors and families clearer rules on how to donate organs to save others when a patient dies.

The Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No 3) 2025 amends eight health-related Acts, including the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024 (ART Act).

The changes made by the Crisafulli Government relate to the collection of information, stronger inspector powers to monitor the industry, as well as provisions to allow for a smooth transition for treatments that started before the original law commenced last year.

Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the Bill was vital to address legislative gaps that had greatly impacted on Queenslanders hoping to start families, “with some patients having their treatments interrupted or postponed as a direct result of Labor’s sloppy laws”.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Labor’s ART Act is the poster child for what can happen if legislation is rushed, and it resulted in a framework that was difficult for providers to navigate and put up heartbreakingly unnecessary barriers for patients desperate to be mums and dads,” Mr Nicholls said.

The Bill also updates the Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1979 to support organ donation following circulatory death.

“With over 1800 Australians on the transplant waiting list and more than 14,000 undergoing kidney dialysis, it’s crucial we do everything possible to enable donation where individuals and families support it,” Mr Nicholls said.

“The changes provide a clear legal framework for families or next of kin to consent to certain clinical procedures to determine suitability for donation and preserve organ viability after a decision has already been made to withdraw life support.

“This includes allowing families and next of kin to consent to interventions such as administering medications to prevent blood clots or undertaking medical imaging.”

The Bill also provides governance reforms to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011, Health and Wellbeing Queensland Act 2019, Pharmacy Business Ownership Act 2024, and Hospital Foundations Act 2018 to broaden the grounds on which the Governor in Council may remove certain statutory office holders.

Additionally, the Bill also makes amendments to the Private Health Facilities Act 1999 to streamline information sharing across the Queensland Government and implement new National Safety and Quality Cosmetic Surgery Standards.

“This Bill is all about delivering a modern, safe, and responsive health system for all Queenslanders by ensuring better protection for patients, improved performance across the system, and stronger foundations for future health reforms,” the Health Minister said.

Originally published as New amendment to the Health Legislation Amendment Bill set to boost IVF and organ donation hopes