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, or to the public egg and sperm bank at Royal Women’s Hospital.
For more information on what to expect, speak to your GP or fertility specialist.
The Assisted Reproductive Treatment Act 2008 provides certain requirements for egg, sperm and embryo donations and donor treatment procedures occuring 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.
Public fertility care gives more Victorians the chance to become parents by making access to these services easier and fairer – including to donated eggs, sperm and embryos.
If you are interested in making a donation, see Public Fertility Care and register your interest.
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Content disclaimer
Content on this website is provided for information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not in any way endorse or support such therapy, service, product or treatment and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. The information and materials contained on this website are not intended to constitute a comprehensive guide concerning all aspects of the therapy, product or treatment described on the website. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions and to ascertain whether the particular therapy, service, product or treatment described on the website is suitable in their circumstances. The State of Victoria and the Department of Health shall not bear any liability for reliance by any user on the materials contained on this website.
