Surrogacy

Surrogacy is a highly complex process. There are some important steps to follow to ensure that all parties involved make an informed decision. These include extensive counselling, psychological assessment, independent legal advice, consenting process and screenings for donors and surrogate. All of these steps need to be completed before treatment begins.

A surrogacy ethics committee will need to review and approve surrogacy cases before they can begin. The committee is made up of fertility specialists, fertility coordinators, scientists, national managers and counsellors from the clinic. In Victoria, all surrogacy cases will also have to be approved by a Patient Review Panel (http://www.health.vic.gov.au/).

The process of surrogacy generally follows these stages:

• Medical review by Rainbow Fertility specialist: pre-treatment tests and preparation
• Surrogacy ethics committee: initial review
• Counselling
• Legal consultation: independent legal advice
• Surrogacy ethics committee: final review
• Fertility coordinator information session: fertility treatment information and discussion
• Medical treatment: IVF for egg donor
• Quarantine period: embryos must be quarantined for three months
• Medical treatment: Frozen Embryo Transfer for surrogate
• Pregnancy test for surrogate

For detailed information about these stages visit our page: Steps to Building a Family with us

PLEASE NOTE:

• All treatment procedures are carried out at City Fertility in our RTAC (Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee) accredited fertility clinics, where gametes (eggs/sperm) and embryos are also stored.

Before going ahead with fertility treatment, please consider that each state has different legislation in regard to surrogacy, for example:

• In Victoria traditional surrogacy is not permitted in a registered ART clinic.

Therefore, we encourage you to refer to your own state Surrogacy Act for more information.

In Australia, surrogacy must be altruistic; commercial surrogacy is illegal.

All Surrogacy Acts prohibit any advertising to be undertaken by the intended couple/individuals or agent of the intended couple/individuals for the services of a surrogate. We cannot advertise or assist you directly in advertising to attract potential surrogates. The intended parent(s) must find the surrogate themselves.

To help guide people through the process of finding a surrogate within Australia, please refer to City Fertility’s Surrogacy brochure.

It includes all the key information you need to know, such as the requirements for intended parents and surrogates, the process, and the associated costs. The brochure serves as a guide to ensure all parties are informed, prepared, and set up for a positive outcome.

PLEASE NOTE

The upper age limit of a surrogate is 45 years old for treatment with Rainbow Fertility.

The costs will vary between patients depending on their particular case and the level of treatment required. The costs will consist of your lawyer’s fees, clinic’s fees and any cost your surrogate and egg donor may incur as a direct consequence of entering into the surrogacy arrangement.

If you have any questions regarding treatment fees, Medicare and Private Health rebates, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly patient services team. Call: 1300 222 623 or email: info@rainbowfertility.com.au

For general information about treatment fees, please visit our Treatment Costs page.