Surrogacy with Family Fertility Centre
Surrogacy is a life-changing journey, offering hope and the chance to build a family for those unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy. In Australia, surrogacy is carefully regulated, making it crucial to understand the process, legalities, and financial commitments involved. Here’s what you need to know to navigate surrogacy in South Australia with confidence.
Is Surrogacy Legal in South Australia?
Yes, surrogacy is legal in South Australia under the Surrogacy Act 2019. However, only altruistic surrogacy is permitted. This means the surrogate cannot receive financial compensation beyond reimbursement for reasonable expenses related to the pregnancy, such as medical costs, maternity clothing, and lost wages.
Commercial surrogacy, which involves paying a surrogate beyond these expenses, is strictly prohibited.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Adelaide?
The total cost of surrogacy varies depending on factors such as fertility treatments, legal processes, and surrogate-related expenses. Here’s a breakdown:
- Fertility Treatments: IVF and other procedures
- The Intended Parents (IP) are expected to reimburse their surrogate for an IVF cycle related expenses.
- Legal Fees: Engaging a lawyer to draft a Legal Surrogacy Agreement and legal counselling for IPs and surrogates.
- Surrogate Expenses: These include maternity clothing, prenatal vitamins, and time off work, which vary but are reimbursable under South Australian law.
Our Surrogacy Donor can discuss with you the costs of your surrogacy treatment, depending on your unique circumstances.
Medicare and Surrogacy
Unfortunately, Medicare does not cover fertility treatments related to surrogacy. This includes IVF cycles for the creation of embryos or medical expenses for the surrogate. Be prepared to cover these costs privately or explore payment plans offered by clinics.
Key Considerations for Surrogate Pregnancy
Finding a Surrogate Mother
Surrogates need to be found independently by IPs (e.g., through friends or family) as South Australia prohibits advertising for surrogates by Fertility Clinics.
Medical requirements:
- You would need to be diagnosed as having a medical indication for surrogacy to access that service in South Australia
- For your surrogate, the pregnancy must not be more challenging than a pregnancy using her own eggs.
- Surrogate mothers can be referred to an obstetric physician or MFM specialist to make sure that her risks are minimised.
- The embryo (only one can be transferred at a time) must be quarantined to minimise infectious risk to the surrogate.
Emotional and Psychological Support
- Surrogacy can be emotionally demanding for intended parents and surrogates. Patients may go through counselling services or support groups to navigate challenges. Counselling is a prerequisite for both the intended parent/s and the surrogate (and their partner, if applicable).
- This can be a long process as it must be very thorough for your and your surrogate mother’s safety.
Legal Requirements
- All surrogacy arrangements must adhere to strict legal protocols, including written agreements and court-approved parentage orders.
- Legal advice is essential to ensure clarity and compliance for all parties involved.
Using Your Eggs
When you are ready to start trying for your family, you will need to meet with your Fertility Expert to discuss the next steps for using your frozen eggs. A plan will be set up to thaw and fertilise eggs. In order to do this, we use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a technique for in vitro fertilisation in which an individual sperm cell is introduced into an egg cell in the hopes of creating an embryo.When your body is ready, an embryo transfer procedure will be planned.
If you decide to proceed with thawing your eggs, there will be further costs to cover these next steps of the treatment process. Our friendly team will give you more information after your first appointment.
Surrogacy Procedure at Family Fertility Centre
- Get in touch with the Donor Coordinator by completing the form at the bottom of this page.
- See Dr Marcin to discuss your specific circumstances and needs.
- Seek legal counsel to draft all necessary documents covering the surrogacy arrangement, e.g.: Legal Surrogacy Agreement.
- Counselling completed with a registered senior ANZICA member.
- Fertility assessments for both the intended parent/s and the potential surrogate.
- Meeting with your fertility specialist to review results and agree to proceed with the surrogacy arrangement (separate appointments are required for the surrogate and the intended parent/s).
- Creation of embryos – if the intended parent/s are providing their gametes, they will need to undergo an IVF cycle.
- Frozen embryo transfer cycle for the surrogate – the treatment cycle may be planned as a part of a collaborative appointment with Dr Marcin.
- Once a pregnancy is confirmed, your fertility team will manage the early stages of the pregnancy.
- The surrogate goes through the obstetric care required to give birth to a baby.
- Appointment with Dr Marcin or Yass – Our Doonor Coordinator.

Surrogate Cost in SA
Surrogacy is not free in Australia. Intended parents must cover various costs, including fertility treatments, legal fees, and pregnancy-related expenses for the surrogate. However, surrogates are not financially compensated beyond reimbursed expenses.
Your Path to Parenthood Starts Here
Surrogacy is a deeply personal and rewarding process that requires careful planning and support. Whether you’re starting your journey or looking for detailed guidance, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Surrogacy Program – Commonly Asked Questions
Here are answers to your questions based on current information:
1. Is traditional surrogacy legal in Australia?
Yes, it is legal in South Australia under the Surrogacy Act 2019.
2. What is altruistic surrogacy?
Altruistic surrogacy refers to an arrangement where the surrogate is reimbursed only for reasonable pregnancy-related expenses, not paid for carrying the baby. Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia.
3. Is the baby yours if you have a surrogate?
Legally, the baby becomes yours (the intended parents’) after obtaining a parentage order. Until then, the surrogate is legally recognised as the mother, even though she may have no genetic link to the child.
4. What are the risks of surrogacy?
Risks include medical complications for the surrogate, such as preeclampsia, psychological strain, and potential legal or ethical disputes between the surrogate and intended parents.
5. Is sperm introduced to a surrogate?
In gestational surrogacy, sperm is combined with an egg (via IVF) to create an embryo, which is then transferred to the surrogate’s uterus. In traditional surrogacy, artificial insemination might be used to insert sperm directly into the surrogate.
7. What is the success rate of surrogacy?
Success rates depend on various factors, including the age of the egg provider and embryo quality. This can be further discussed during your appointment with Dr Marcin.
8. What happens if a surrogate miscarries?
While surrogacy agreements often address miscarriage-related expenses, compensation beyond incurred costs is not permitted under altruistic surrogacy laws.
9. Who is the biological mother?
The biological mother is the person whose egg is used. If the intended mother’s eggs are used – she is the biological mother.
10. Will the baby look like the surrogate?
In gestational surrogacy – no. The baby’s genetics come from the egg and sperm donors (or intended parents), not the surrogate.
In traditional surrogacy – yes, possibly. The baby’s genetics come from the surrogate, who provides the egg, and the sperm provider (donor or intended parent).
11. Can the surrogate breastfeed the baby?
Yes, but this decision is personal and should be discussed and agreed upon by all parties.
12. Does a surrogate mother share blood with the baby?
While the surrogate does not contribute genetically, she shares blood circulation with the baby during pregnancy as part of the natural process of carrying the child.
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To understand your fertility comprehensively, our fertility doctor may suggest a physical examination to check for any underlying issues such as undescended testicles, testicular size and the presence of tubes running from the testicles.