Surrogacy In Australia

Surrogacy in Australia

Surrogacy Laws in Australia are administered at a State level and there are wide variations in what types of surrogacy arrangements allowed in various states.

For those intending to conduct their surrogacy in Australia, Altruistic Surrogacy is available in all states for heterosexual couples.

Gay couples resident in Queensland, Victoria, SA and NSW are able to access altruistic surrogacy in Australia.

Compensated surrogacy (where the surrogate is paid more than expenses) is not allowed in any state of Australia. Overseas Commercial Surrogacy is banned for residents of NSW, QLD and ACT.

Connecting with A Surrogate

Those seeking a surrogate should understand that paid advertising for such is not permitted in Australia. As a result, searches tend to be word-of-mouth or via socila media. Intended Parents who do not have a friend or family member who is able to carry for them often meet and connect with surrogates through social media Groups and Forums. Some of the forums and groups to consider joining are

FTS Facebook Group (closed group, screened entry, unmoderated) https://www.facebook.com/groups/ftsaust/

Altruistic Surrogacy Australia forum – Moderated http://www.fertilityconnections.com.au/forum/

DIY searching for a surrogate is akin to online (followed by face-to-face) dating. Do not agree to progress a potential relationship until you have met the woman in question as well as her children and support networks.

Surrogate Screening

Most women of childbearing age do not have the psychological capacity to carry a child for someone else without experiencing psychological distress. However there is a type of woman who has the ability to do this without experiencing such stress. Such women have often donated their eggs previously.

You are strongly encouraged only to consider as potential surrogates women who

Have evidence ofproblem-free pregnancies
Have completed their own family
Are financially stable
Have strong social and emotional supports around them

Engaging with an experiencing fertilility counsellor in this area (See Surrogacy Professionals section) can greatly assist you with screening.

Surrogate Support

Surrogates gain support during their attempts to get pregnant and their pregnancies through

Social Media support forums designed specifically for surrogates
Support from their intended parents
Support from their own partner & family

Egg Donors

User groups such as www.eggdonationaustralia.com.au are terrific sources of Australian donors

Some IVF clinics (eg Life Fertility in Brisbane) can also provide donor databases and screen donors

All Donors must agree to be ‘known’ which means your child can access their contact details as an adult

Financing Your Surrogacy Journey

Whether you decide to complete surrogacy in Australia or offshore, total costs, including legals, travel, IVF fees, surrogate expenses and counselling/screening processes can all add-up. To hep you get started on your path to parenthood sooner, Families Through Surrogacy have partnered with a local loan provider MortgagePort. This lender has an inclusive approach, flexibility and understanding that everyone is different. MortgagePort can assist Australian intended parents to finance their surrogacy journeys. This could include re-financing an existing mortgage or helping secure your first loan.

Visit their website at http://www.mortgageport.com.au/ and enter the referrer code FTS or simply email Michael on mmckelvie@mortgageport.com.au