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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 all states apart from WA 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, although these laws have never been prosecuted
Connecting with A Surrogate
Those seeking a surrogate at surrogacy centers in Australia should understand that paid advertising for such is not permitted in Australia. As a result, searches tend to be word-of-mouth or via social 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
Australian Surrogacy Community (closed group, screened entry) https://www.facebook.com/groups/ftsaust/
Surrogacy Australia Support Service This is a professionally run support service to assist with surrogate and intended parent screening, introductions, expenses management and ongoing support at surrogacy clinics in Australia.
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 during a surrogacy arrangement with an ethical surrogacy in Australia. You are strongly encouraged only to consider as potential surrogates women who:
- Have evidence of problem-free pregnancies
- Have completed their own family
- Are financially stable
- Have strong social and emotional supports around them
Engaging with an experiencing fertility counsellor in this area (See Surrogacy Professionals section) can greatly assist you with screening at Australian surrogacy agency.
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 help 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 with a surrogacy agency in australia. 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 [email protected]