I am a sperm donor

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I am a Sperm Donor

We will support you with information you need to help you make right decisions.

As a sperm donor, your generous gift may give somebody the chance to start a family. There are many ways of becoming a sperm donor, and it is a rigorous process involving fertility clinic appointments, testing and numerous counselling sessions.

Before you become a donor, it is important to consider your motivations for donating, expectations for future contact with the parents or offspring, and the emotional and practical implications of donating. It can be useful to discuss your motivations and decision with family, friends, or a counsellor.

Information

How do I donate?

Sperm donation can happen in the following ways: known donors, clinic-recruited donors, I.D. release donors, anonymous donation and unregulated donation. In Australia, unless a known donor is used, the law for sperm donation is I.D. release when the resultant child turns eighteen.

Overseas clinics may have differing laws surrounding this, where sperm donation is usually anonymous, and the recipient is often financially compensated for their donation. In Australia, sperm donation is an altruistic act, meaning it is illegal to receive payment, other than reimbursement for reasonable and verified expenses (costs covering medical treatment for donating sperm).

What You Should Know

Each state has limitations on the number of families a donor can create via donation, and these limits are not limited to the state. For example, in Western Australia a donor can create 5 families (including their own). So as a donor, you could create multiple children within each family, but not go over the 5 family limit.

There are also unregulated sperm donors who donate outside of a fertility clinic or donation organisation in an often informal arrangement. This would usually be done through natural insemination or NI (more commonly known as intercourse), or artificial insemination or AI (more commonly known as the ‘turkey basting’ method). While this practice offers clear benefits such as lower cost, possible greater choice, and autonomy, there are also significant risks involved because of lack of genetic/medical testing, potential STD infections, the possibility of sperm quality being poor, and legal ramifications around parental rights and those of siblings and half-siblings. Consulting a counsellor or a lawyer is highly recommended before considering this method.

Information

Have Children Been Born from My Donation?

Naturally, you may be curious to know whether children have been born following your donation, and if so, how many, their age, and their gender. You may also be wondering if they resemble you or share personality traits with you.

You can apply for non-identifying information about your donor offspring from the clinic you donated at, or various donor registries in Australia and worldwide. There are also Facebook groups for matching donors with recipients and vice versa. Your clinic will provide the total number offspring born to each person treated, and each offspring’s gender at birth and year of birth.

You are not the legal parent of any child born, and do not appear on your donor offspring’s birth certificate. You are not responsible for maintenance or any financial assistance towards your donor offspring. Your donor offspring do not have a legal claim on your estate.

Your donor offspring, their parents and descendants can also apply for non-identifying information. The information that you provided at the time of consenting to treatment (including background information, interests, medical information) will be provided to the applicant.

Service

We’re Here to Support You

As a sperm donor you may be interested in any changes to national and state legislations regarding sperm donation, or simply would like to be a part of a community. You can join our Facebook group where you can connect with others and stay up to date on ART.

DISCLAIMER: We are a fully volunteer-run organisation. If you find any information on this website you believe is incorrect or needs updating, please let us know at hello@artfam.com.au.

Acknowledgement of Country

ARTFam & ASMBC acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work, and build our families. We pay our respects to the Elders past and present, and we honour the strength, knowledge, and enduring connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to family, community, culture and Country.

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