SURROGACY IN AUSTRALIA
According to associate professor Anusch Yazdani, surrogacy is not an alternative to fertility treatment and is used in situations where people are either not able to or should not carry their own pregnancy.
Anusch, medical director of the Queensland Fertility Group, says: “The legislation is quite different in each state, and Queensland has some of the most open legislation, but in no state in Australia is commercial surrogacy permitted.”
Unlike in other countries, such as America where surrogates can be paid up to $170,000, no money can be exchanged between the surrogate and the commissioning parent.
“In all of Australia, the surrogate (gestational carrier) has to be known to the commissioning parent. They must have had a relationship with the parent and know each other. It cannot be a commercial relationship,” says Anusch.
While the legislation allows for the surrogate to be compensated, they can’t be paid.
“Someone has to want to help someone else have a pregnancy, as they feel it is the right thing to allow that person to have a baby,” Anusch says.
With laws preventing surrogates and willing parents from advertising their service or need, people have to meet or be introduced. This often happens via online forums or IVF clinics.
It is because of all of the rules and laws in place that Anusch believes there is a shortage of surrogates in Australia.
“To minimise the risk of someone wanting to keep the baby for themselves and because they are not paid, it is a very special person who gives up a large portion of their life and goes through a pregnancy for someone else.”
To find out more visit qfg.com.au