There are many reasons why people choose to be sperm donors. Perhaps you yourself are a parent and have experienced the joy children can bring and want others to experience this joy. Perhaps having children is not for you, but you would like to help others start or build their family. Or perhaps you know someone who is struggling to conceive, and you want to help them. If these reasons resonate than becoming a sperm donor might be for you.
There are no long-term costs associated with becoming a sperm donor, nor does it involve or require any ongoing financial obligations. All costs associated with your donation – doctor’s appointments, lab analysis, counselling, blood tests, storage of your donation, are all covered by Repromed. This act will however have a lifelong effect for some families.
Can I be Paid to be a Sperm Donor?
In Australia, it’s illegal to pay for sperm donation. However, we can reimburse you for any reasonable and verifiable expenses incurred during the donation process, such as travel, parking, and other related costs. All required fertility tests for sperm donors are completed free of charge, including results from your sperm analysis or genetic screening.
Who can become a Sperm Donor?
Our sperm donors need to:
- be aged between 21-45 years
- consent to the release of identifying information to any future donor-conceived children (from 18 years old)
- agree to comply will all relevant laws
- undertake infectious and genetic screening tests
- undergo counselling
- provide a genetic family medical history
- understand their sperm donations are selfless (act of generosity, they will not be paid)
Legal considerations of sperm donors
- Donors do not remain anonymous. Under many state laws a person born from donation has the right to obtain identifying information (like name, date of birth and address) about their donor once they are 18 years old or from a younger age if the child proves sufficient maturity or if their parent(s) apply and the donor consents.
- Donors consent to being registered with the South Australian Donor Conception Registry, which is only accessed by donor conceived children once they are 18 years old.
- Donors are allowed to donate to a friend. Known sperm donors are those who know the individual or couple and go through the donor process with their recipients.
- Sperm donors are allowed to find out if any children have been born from their donations.
- Donors can receive non-identifying information about children born from their donation – including the gender of the child and any birth abnormalities.
- Sperm donors have no financial or legal responsibility for children conceived.
- Sperm donors are not paid for their donation. In Australia, becoming a sperm donor is a selfless act – which means one of the main motivating factors is to help other people. It is illegal to profit from a sperm donation but you can be reimbursed for certain costs involved.
Who your donation can help?
People in Same Sex Relationships
Through the use of donated sperm, same-sex female couples are able to conceive children biologically related to one partner. This allows both partners to share in the experience of pregnancy and parenthood, fulfilling their desire for a family and create a genetic connection with their child.
Male Factor Infertility
When the sperm quality or quantity is insufficient for conception couples turn to using donor sperm which offers the chance to achieve a pregnancy and biological parenthood despite the male partner’s infertility.
People affected by genetic diseases
If the male partner has a genetic condition that could be passed on to a child, using donor sperm allows the couple to have children without the risk of passing on the genetic disorder. This choice supports the desire to become parents while ensures their child is not at risk of inheriting the condition.
Solo female parents to be
Females choosing to become solo parents use donor sperm to fulfill their desire for motherhood. This choice allows them to experience pregnancy, raise a child, and be a parent on their own terms regardless of relationship status.
Steps to becoming a Sperm Donor
Counselling
You must have at least 2 counselling sessions prior to becoming a sperm donor. These counselling sessions are mandatory, and you will have an opportunity to talk about the law and what becoming a sperm donor means for you, your family and any future donor-conceived children. If you have a partner, we strongly encourage them to attend both sessions with you.
Medical appointment
You will have an appointment with a Repromed Fertility Doctor to discuss your medical history and your suitability to be a sperm donor.
Donations
A member of our Donor Team will help you with appointments for your donations. Approximately 10 donations are required.
Quarantine
Your sperm is frozen and quarantined for 3 months after your last donation. At the end of the quarantine period, you will be required to have one last blood test. Doctor will discuss your results with you. You will also have a blood test for infectious and genetic screening.
At the end of the quarantine period, your profile (and your sperm) then becomes available for recipients or your known recipient.
If you would like to assist others in achieving their dream of starting a family, please contact Repromed’s Donor Team on (08) 8333 8111 or fill out the enquiry form below for more detailed information and a confidential phone consultation regarding your eligibility of becoming a donor.