Dangerous and unethical practices by IVF providers will be put under the spotlight in a Victorian inquiry.
The Health Complaints Commissioner will work to uncover questionable practices, with the final report to be delivered to the government by year's end.
"IVF can be a long, emotional and unpredictable journey - for many it results in joy, but for others, they are taken advantage of and peddled false hope," Premier Daniel Andrews said.
The inquiry follows a review of Assisted Reproductive Services, which looked at whether there are enough safeguards to protect people using, or intending to use, assisted reproductive treatment.
The probe found some people had fallen victim to rogue, heartless operators, including one doctor who allegedly knowingly transferred an unviable embryo into a patient.
Penalties will also be increased for IVF providers caught doing the wrong thing.
About 13,000 Victorians were treated at IVF clinics in the last financial year.
Australian Associated Press
