Review of Surrogacy Laws: Issues Paper (2025)
Submissions in response to the Issues Paper are now open. The Issues Paper introduces our inquiry and explains what we have been asked to do. It provides a brief overview of surrogacy laws in Australia. The Issues Paper also sets out some principles we may use to guide reform and lists some reform issues that appear …
Publications
Read moreReview of Human Tissue Laws: Issues Paper released
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) today released its Issues Paper in its Review of Human Tissue Laws, calling for submissions to the Inquiry. The Issues Paper provides a broad overview of the Inquiry and sets out eight questions for stakeholders to consider. ALRC Commissioner Dr Maeghan Toews, commented on the Issue Paper’s release: …
News/Media Release
Read moreReview of Human Tissue Laws: Issues Paper (2025)
Submissions in response to the Issues Paper are now open. The Issues Paper introduces our inquiry and explains what we have been asked to do. It provides a brief overview of human tissue laws. The Issues Paper also sets out some aims and principles we may use to guide reform and lists some reform issues …
Publications
Read moreAdvisory Committee
The ALRC typically forms an advisory committee, or panel of experts, for each Inquiry. The Advisory Committee for the ALRC’s Review of Human Tissue Laws comprises the following: Professor Dominique Martin, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health, Deakin University Professor Shih-Ning Then, Deputy Director, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, QUT Professor Jeremy Chapman AC, Clinical …
Inquiries
Read moreFurther resources
Below are additional resources, links and references relevant to the Review of Human Tissue Laws. Please note that these are external links, and that the ALRC is not responsible for content on third party websites. Legislation – Human Tissue Acts Transplantation and Anatomy Act 1978 (ACT) Human Tissue Act 1983 No 164 (NSW) Transplantation and Anatomy …
Inquiries
Read moreTimeline and Engagement
To read a one page information sheet about the Inquiry, click here. Information about the Inquiry’s timeline and our submission process is below, along with a link to register for Inquiry updates. Timeline The below timeline sets out the planned activities and engagement of the Review of Human Tissue Laws through to its completion in …
Inquiries
Read moreDr Maeghan Toews
Dr Maeghan Toews was appointed as a full-time Commissioner and commenced on 17 February 2025 to jointly lead the ALRC’s Review of Human Tissue Laws alongside ALRC President the Hon Justice Mordecai Bromberg. Dr Toews is a legal academic specialising in health law who has spent the last decade researching the law pertaining to human …
Pages
Read moreAustralian Law Reform Commission Inquiry into Human Tissue Laws in Australia
The Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) has received Terms of Reference from Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP to review Australian human tissue laws. The review is asked to inquire and report on what reforms might be necessary to modernise and harmonise human tissue laws across Australian jurisdictions. Following the agreement of all …
News/Media Release
Read more