Without donor sperm, many people, women and couples alike, are not able to create a family. As such, sperm donors are in high demand for couples and single women.
While being a sperm donor is an extremely generous act, it’s not for everyone. You must take careful consideration and ensure that you have a full understanding of the possible long-term implications before proceeding.
At Create Fertility, we make the time to ensure you understand all the requirements and regulations associated with becoming a sperm donor.
Because while it’s a selfless act, it’s still a personal one.
You may choose to donate sperm
‘anonymously’ to a wanting couple or single woman. Non-identifying information will be shared with the recipients at the time of treatment; however, identifying information about sperm donors, recipients and the child are registered on a Central Register maintained by the Department of Health. When a donor-conceived person turns 16 years old, they can request access to identify the donor from the Central Register.
Whether you become a sperm donor or not is an extremely personal decision. Some reasons you may decide to donate your sperm can be:
To be eligible to become a sperm donor, all applicants must go through a screening process. There are criteria you must meet that are governed by law, as well as clinical criteria; however, it’s not exhaustive.
It’s important to note that, in Victoria, donating sperm is an altruistic act, and it is illegal to pay a donor to donate. Furthermore, if you are in a relationship, your partner is required to attend mandatory counselling sessions.
Sperm donors can, however, be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred during the process of donating. We can provide further information as to what expenses are included during your meeting with us. Note that clinic-recruited donors will only be reimbursed if accepted into the program and once sperm samples have been cleared for use.
The donation process for clinic-recruited sperm donors is slightly different to what is outlined above. If you would like to learn more about this, please feel free to contact our team at Create Fertility.
While the significance of creating, raising, and parenting a child is different from that of donating so someone else can raise a child, there are still considerations that need to be taken into account.
When becoming a sperm donor with Create Fertility, information may be given to the recipients regarding your health, family history, and lifestyle. No information identifying you will be shared. However, by law, we must register information about donors, recipients, and children with the Central Register maintained by the Department of Health. All donors must agree to have their identifying information released upon request from offspring when they turn 16 years old. If you are using a Known Sperm Donor, we strongly suggest you seek independent legal advice in navigating expectations, boundaries, and the involvement of the donor and all other interested parties prior to proceeding with your donor.
In Victoria, there is a limit to the number of women who can use your sperm, and this includes your own partner. Sperm from a single donor can be used by a maximum of 10 different families – 9 if you have a partner. This doesn't, however, limit the number of children that can be born using the same sperm and patient combination. This means that a patient can potentially use the same sperm donor for multiple pregnancies, creating biologically related siblings.
If you have a partner, you can still become a sperm donor. However, it's crucial that they are included in the decision, understand the process and the after-effects. At Create Fertility, we require both you and your partner to attend counselling sessions. During this time, you both have the opportunity to discuss the ins and outs, ask questions, and understand the long and short-term implications involved to ensure you both have a full appreciation of what it means to become a sperm donor.
The fertility journey can be an emotional rollercoaster. It's important to consider how becoming a sperm donor can affect you emotionally, as well as your partner, family, and the recipient. Some of these feelings include pride, gratitude, worry, grief, elation, and accomplishment. To become a sperm donor is truly a selfless act. You are giving someone the opportunity to start a family they'll cherish for a lifetime.
A sperm donor can change or withdraw their consent to be a donor at any time up until an embryo is created using the donor sperm.
During your pre-donation process, we will conduct tests including bloods, urine, semen, and a full health check. The results will be analysed for any genetic disorders, sexually transmitted infections, and a semen analysis to determine the health of your sperm. Our fertility specialists will discuss your results with you and determine whether or not you are eligible to donate sperm.
If you would like more information regarding our sperm donor program, please contact our Donor Coordinator on 03 9873 6789 or via email to donation@createfertility.com.au.
The Victorian Government has additional information for those considering donation, and these can be viewed on the Department of Health website via this link.
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226 Clarendon St, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Suite 3, 72 Gloucester Avenue, Berwick, VIC, 3806
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