A quick guide to Australians going overseas for surrogacy and egg donation

A quick guide to Australians going overseas for surrogacy and egg donation

A quick guide to Australians going overseas for surrogacy and egg donation
Recently I was asked by an American colleague to put together a couple of quick guides, cheat sheets if you will, setting out the risks to Australians going overseas for surrogacy and egg donation – from Australian law.
I have set these out below.  You will appreciate that they are not a comprehensive advice as to the law.  Anyone contemplating undertaking overseas surrogacy or egg donation should get legal advice from an expert in this area – such as me – first.
Australian criminal law as to international surrogacy
Warning:  This New South Wales law applies to everyperson wherever they live in the world, e.g. New York, London, Melbourne, if they are domiciled in New South Wales.
WHERE
COLOUR
RULES
State
City
ACT
Canberra
Overseas surrogacy must be altruistic according to ACT law or otherwise illegal.

 

 

 

New South Wales
Byron Bay
Sydney
Overseas surrogacy must be altruistic according to New South Wales law or otherwise illegal.
Northern Territory
Darwin
No restrictions.
Queensland
Brisbane
Cairns
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast
Overseas surrogacy must be altruistic according to Queensland law or otherwise illegal.
South Australia [1] [2]
Adelaide
Overseas commercial surrogacy (as per South Australian law) may be illegal.
Tasmania
Hobart
Launceston
No restrictions.
Victoria
Melbourne
No restrictions.
Western Australia 2
Perth
Overseas commercial surrogacy (as per Western Australian law) may be illegal.

 

 

Australian International Egg Donor Criminal Laws
WHERE
COLOUR
MAXIMUM PENALTY FOR OVERSEAS
State
City
Human tissue supply
Commercial payment to donor
Australian Capital Territory
Canberra
A$8,000
15 years imprisonment
New South Wales
Byron Bay
Sydney
6 months imprisonment
15 years imprisonment
Northern Territory
Darwin
2 years imprisonment
___
Queensland
Brisbane
Cairns
Gold Coast
Sunshine Coast
6 months imprisonment
15 years imprisonment
South Australia
Adelaide
A$20,000
15 years imprisonment
Tasmania
Hobart
Launceston
___
___
Victoria
Melbourne
___
___
Western Australia
Perth
A$1,000
10 years imprisonment

 


[1]South Australian law is soon to change with the Surrogacy Act 2019 (SA) soon to take effect. This box takes into account both current and soon to be law in SA.
[2]South Australian and Western Australian law long arm laws can make overseas surrogacy illegal.  Great care is required before signing.
Request an Appointment
Fill in the form below to find out if you have a claim.
Request an Appointment - Stephen Page
Things to Read, Watch & Listen

Hague Surrogacy Convention Paused After 15 Years — What Went Wrong

After 15 years of work, the Hague Conference on Private International Law has paused its long-running project to create an international convention dealing with surrogacy and legal parentage. That is a significant development for anyone involved in cross-border surrogacy, assisted reproductive treatment, and international family law. The pause matters because international surrogacy does not stop… Read More »Hague Surrogacy Convention Paused After 15 Years — What Went Wrong

One Sperm Donor, 550 Children: Why Australia Needs Urgent Regulation

Private sperm donation is often marketed as simple, accessible and modern. In reality, it can create legal, ethical and deeply human problems on a staggering scale. Two recent overseas stories show exactly what can happen when sperm donation is left largely unchecked. In one case, a mother believed her child was the only child conceived… Read More »One Sperm Donor, 550 Children: Why Australia Needs Urgent Regulation

Monash IVF Payouts: The Embryo Mix-Up Cases Explained

Two embryo mix-up cases involving Monash IVF have now reportedly ended with multimillion dollar payouts, bringing a legal close to some of the most distressing fertility treatment errors ever publicly reported in Australia. These were not routine complaints. They were extraordinary cases that struck at the heart of trust in assisted reproduction. For the families… Read More »Monash IVF Payouts: The Embryo Mix-Up Cases Explained

Family Law Section Law Council of Australia Award
Member of Queensland law society
Family law Practitioners Association
International Academy of Family Lawyers - IAFL
Mediator Standards Board