Summary
Read the full fact sheet- Becoming an egg, sperm or embryo donor is your opportunity to give someone a chance to start their own family.
- It is also a decision that needs careful consideration.
- Before deciding to donate, make sure you understand what the process involves, your rights, and the rights of those you’re donating to.
- Donors cannot be paid for their donations and donations cannot be made anonymously.
- Potential donors can donate through the Victorian public egg and sperm bank at the Royal Women’s Hospital and at most private fertility clinics.
On this page
About egg, sperm and embryo donation
By donating eggs, sperm or embryos, you are giving someone the chance to start their own family.
Donating your eggs, sperm or embryos is an entirely altruistic act, one of the most generous gifts that can help others fulfil their dream of starting a family.
It is also a decision that needs to be made carefully and there are important considerations donors should be aware of.
Who can donate
Victorian legislation sets out certain requirements for donating eggs, sperm or embryos. Both public and private fertility clinics may also have particular expectations for potential donors based on clinical considerations. These aim to protect the health and welfare of donors, recipients and any donor-conceived children.
Speak to a Victorian fertility clinic that provides donor services to find out their specific eligibility criteria.
Donation process
When donating eggs and sperm, a fertility specialist will tailor your treatment based on your individual needs and circumstances.
Clinics may also have different requirements and expectations, but the following are some common processes you can expect:
- Screening tests and a medical check-up, as well as having to provide your medical and genetic history.
- Completion of a donor profile, which is given to potential donor recipients. This often includes things like your appearance, personality and education.
- A visit to a counsellor, who will discuss the emotional and legal implications of donation.
- The signing of a consent form before any treatment, which will explain your legal rights and responsibilities in detail.
It is important to note that in Victoria, donors cannot be paid for their donations.
Embryo donation
In some cases, you may already have access to an egg that has been fertilised with sperm – that is, an embryo.
If you are sure you no longer need or want your embryo(s), you may choose to donate it.
Here are some ways you can do this:
- You can donate your embryo(s) to someone you know. The person to whom you are donating and their fertility clinic will advise on what steps you will need to take.
- If your fertility clinic has its own donor embryo program, you can ask them to donate the embryo(s) to a recipient.
- If your fertility clinic doesn’t have a donor embryo program, you can ask for your embryo(s) to be transferred to another clinic that offers this service, and follow that clinic’s process to organise a donation.
For more information on what to expect, speak to your GP or fertility specialist.
You can also learn more about becoming a donor on the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA) website.
Rights and obligations
The Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 provides certain requirements for egg, sperm and embryo donations and donor treatment procedures under that Act in Victoria. It outlines rights and obligations for donors, recipients of donations and any donor-conceived children. This includes their rights and obligations in relation to access to information.
It is important you think about your contact preferences before you donate. For example, who you’d like to access your identifying information, and how you’d like to be contacted if someone (such as the recipient of your egg or sperm donation) wishes to connect with you.
Learn more about becoming an egg or sperm donor in Victoria on the VARTA website.
Where to donate
Victoria is host to Australia’s first public egg and sperm bank. This is operated by the Royal Women’s Hospital and is an extension of Victoria’s public fertility care service.
The public fertility care program gives more Victorians the chance to become parents by making access to these services easier and fairer – including to donated eggs, sperm and embryos.
To find out how to donate to the Victorian public egg and sperm bank, visit the Royal Women’s Hospital’s website.
Most private Victorian fertility clinics also accept donations.
You can learn more about becoming a donor and find a full list of Victorian fertility clinics on the VARTA website.
Where to get help
This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
