Donating sperm is a simple way to make a real impact. Right now, individuals and couples across Australia are waiting for the chance to build their families. You could be the reason that happens.
Sperm Donors Australia is City Fertility’s national donor recruitment program, focused exclusively on recruiting and supporting sperm donors.
Why become a sperm donor?
Make a real difference by helping individuals and couples grow their families with donor sperm.
Be supported by a dedicated donor team and experienced fertility specialists.
Donate in line with Australian laws and clinical best practice.
Your privacy, health and informed consent come first. Always.
Not quite ready to donate? Learn more about the steps to becoming a donor here.
Frequently asked questions
Who can be a sperm donor?
We welcome healthy donors of all backgrounds to become sperm donors if they meet these criteria:
Between 18 and 46 years of age
an Australian citizen or resident, or hold a visa that allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of the donation process;
in good health and;
able to provide your family’s medical history.
To learn more about eligibility to become a donor, click here.
What are the types of donors?
There are two different types of donors:
Known donor: When the donor and recipient know each other and already have a relationship, it is a known donation. In this case, generally, the recipient receives a donation from a friend or family member.
Clinic-recruited donor: When the recipient and donor do not know each other and have never met, this is known as a clinic-recruited donation. The donor can choose to keep their identity unknown to the recipient; however, they must agree to provide identifying information to be revealed to a child conceived as a result of their donation once the child turns 18 or younger, with counsellor approval.
What is the process of donating sperm?
There are several steps required to become a sperm donor, from medical screenings to counselling. We provide a thorough and holistic approach with our sperm donor program in order to ensure our donors are not only physically suitable candidates, but are also mentally and emotionally prepared to donate.
To learn more about the process, click here.
Who requires donor sperm?
Donated sperm is used by a diverse range of people for different reasons. This includes single women and lesbian couples who require donor sperm to conceive, as well as people in same-sex relationships who wish to start or grow their family.
Donor sperm is also used by heterosexual couples who are unable to conceive naturally due to male factor infertility. This can be the result of genetic or infectious causes, physical damage, or conditions where sperm production is absent altogether.
Our sperm donor program provides a pathway for people facing biological or medical barriers to conception, while also supporting individuals and couples who require donor sperm to build their family. We are passionate about helping all kinds of families achieve their dream of having a baby.
How is sperm allocated to people?
The clinic recruited a donor, and the recipient is given the donor’s profile, consisting of non-identifying details such as physical features, personal interests, educational background, career, and medical history.
According to NHMRC Ethical Guidelines on the Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology in Clinical Practice and Research (2017), the recipient is entitled to the following information about the donor: “Details of past medical history, family history and any genetic test results that are relevant to the future health of the person born (or any subsequent offspring of that person) and the recipient of the donation; details of the physical characteristics of the gamete donor; and the number, age and sex of persons conceived using the gametes donated by the same gamete donor.”
What are things to consider?
The motivation behind your sperm donation is important to consider before making the decision to donate. These questions may be helpful to you when deciding if you wish to proceed in becoming a sperm donor:
Why do you want to be a sperm donor?
Do you want to know if a child is conceived from your donation?
How will you feel about a child conceived from your donation?
How will you feel if the child wishes to contact you?
What should your family and friends be told?
How is your donation likely to impact your relationship with the recipient(s) and/or your own relationships?
If you have doubts or concerns about the consequences of becoming a sperm donor, we strongly advise that you consider these questions before finalising your decision. Our professional counsellors and fertility nurses can assist you with any items you wish to discuss before committing to becoming a sperm donor.
What are legalities and requirements?
City Fertility encourages all individuals and couples to seek independent legal advice before attending the donor program. Please visit our Legalities and requirements page for more information.
