A friend, Facebook or ... Ukraine? No easy surrogacy options for Australian families desperate for children
News Source
β’Fri, 17 Jul 2026 15:00:32 GMT
π° What Happened
The Australian Law Reform Commission is looking at how to better regulate surrogacy. Over 400 submissions have been made. Many tell stories of people who desperately want children and the extreme lengths they go to. One couple went through nine rounds of IVF in Melbourne and two more in Spain before trying surrogacy.
Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia. Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, where the surrogate only gets her expenses paid. This means hundreds of Australians go overseas each year to find a surrogate. Countries like Ukraine have become popular destinations for Australian families.
π The Backstory
Surrogacy is when a woman carries a baby for someone else. In Australia, you cannot pay a surrogate beyond her expenses. The rules are different in each state and territory. This makes it very confusing for families who want to use a surrogate.
The law was meant to stop poor women from being exploited. But the rules are so strict that many people cannot find a surrogate in Australia. They turn to Facebook groups or friends to find help. Some go to countries with fewer rules, which can be risky. The ALRC wants to make the laws simpler and safer for everyone.
π― Why It Matters
This matters because it affects real families who cannot have children on their own. The law needs to balance protecting surrogates while also helping people who just want to become parents.
The Australian Law Reform Commission is looking at how to better regulate surrogacy. Over 400 submissions have been made. Many tell stories of people who desperately want children and the extreme lengths they go to. One couple went through nine rounds of IVF in Melbourne and two more in Spain before trying surrogacy.
Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia. Only altruistic surrogacy is allowed, where the surrogate only gets her expenses paid. This means hundreds of Australians go overseas each year to find a surrogate. Countries like Ukraine have become popular destinations for Australian families.
Surrogacy is when a woman carries a baby for someone else. In Australia, you cannot pay a surrogate beyond her expenses. The rules are different in each state and territory. This makes it very confusing for families who want to use a surrogate.
The law was meant to stop poor women from being exploited. But the rules are so strict that many people cannot find a surrogate in Australia. They turn to Facebook groups or friends to find help. Some go to countries with fewer rules, which can be risky. The ALRC wants to make the laws simpler and safer for everyone.
This matters because it affects real families who cannot have children on their own. The law needs to balance protecting surrogates while also helping people who just want to become parents.