Are you considering surrogacy in Australia as a way to build your family? Surrogacy is an incredible option for many couples and individuals looking to become parents in Australia.
In this post, we share 7 Facts About Surrogacy In Australia that all Intended Parents and Surrogates should know.
1. There are an estimated 100 births through altruistic surrogacy in Australia every year.
Sarah Jefford, who is a well known Australian surrogacy lawyer, published this post outlining the estimated number of live births through surrogacy a year.
While there is no way to know the exact figure, it is estimated there are around 100 births through surrogacy each year in Australia.
2. Altruistic surrogacy is the only legal form of surrogacy within Australian borders.
Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia, with altruistic surrogacy being the only legal form of surrogacy available in Australia.
In Australia, you cannot compensate a surrogate for carrying a baby for you, however there are a number of costs that Intended Parents are expected to cover before, during and sometimes after pregnancy.
3. For every 1 surrogacy birth in Australia, there are 3 babies born to Australian Intended Parents overseas.
Australian Intended Parents are the largest market for international surrogacy.
With altruistic surrogacy numbers still relatively low (an estimated 100 births a year), a large number of families choose to go overseas for surrogacy.
4. Gestational Surrogacy and Traditional Surrogacy arrangements are available to couples and individuals across all Australian states and territories, apart from the ACT.
The ACT is the only Australian state where Traditional Surrogacy is illegal. In all other parts of Australia, a surrogate can be either a Gestational Surrogate or a Traditional Surrogate.
Gestational Surrogacy, where egg donation and IVF is used, is the most common form of surrogacy in Australia – contributing to around 90% of all surrogacy arrangements in Australia.
Traditional Surrogacy contributes to an estimated 10% of surrogacy pregnancies in Australia, where a surrogate uses her own eggs for the pregnancy.
5. Surrogacy is an option for same-sex couples in all Australian states and territories, apart from Western Australia.
Surrogacy is an option for same-sex couples across most of Australia, unless you are living in Western Australia. Unfortunately, Western Australia only allows heterosexual couples to engage in surrogacy, however we are hopeful this will change in the future.
6. A surrogate has to be at least 25 years of age in all parts of Australia, apart from in the ACT, where a surrogate can be 18 years of age.
The majority of Australian states require a potential surrogate mother to have already given birth, and to be 25 years of age. The ACT slightly differs in this instance, with the minimum age requirement for surrogate being 18 years old.
7. Surrogacy Counselling is a mandatory requirement for all Australian surrogacy arrangements.
Surrogacy counselling is a crucial part of any surrogacy journey, and is a legal requirement for all surrogacy arrangements in Australia.
Surrogacy counselling is an important part of the surrogacy process, providing support and understanding to both Intended Parents and Surrogates. Surrogacy counselling provides a space for open dialogue about relationship dynamics between all parties, the potential challenges that may arise during the process, and how those can best be managed together.
Happy Minds Psychology understands the unique position Australian Intended Parents and Surrogates are in. We are advocates for surrogacy in Australia and partner with families right across Australia to provide Surrogacy Counselling and Independent Psychological Assessments for Surrogacy arrangements.
We believe that any successful surrogacy journey is best navigated with a qualified surrogacy counsellor who can help you navigate your journey, from the initial stages of your surrogacy journey, right through to the fourth-trimester, parenting and beyond.
Having a qualified surrogacy counsellor or psychologist, as part of your surrogacy team from the outset, provides you with an invaluable resource to make your surrogacy journey a success.
Final Thoughts On Australian Surrogacy Facts
As you can see, there are a number of surrogacy facts that Australian Intended Parents should be aware of when exploring surrogacy in Australia.
Happy Minds Psychology are here to support all Australian families throughout their surrogacy journey. We offer Surrogacy Counselling services for both Intended Parents and Surrogates.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you build your family through surrogacy.