Altruistic Surrogacy in the ACT: Your guide to recent reforms

Making the decision to bring a child into your lives is a big and exciting milestone.  Whether you are in a relationship or you are pursuing parenthood on your own, it is not always as easy as it seems.  For some Australians, giving birth is not an option – whether due to fertility challenges, biological barriers, or other reasons.  These individuals or couples might consider other pathways to parenthood, such as adoption or surrogacy.

Surrogacy provides future parents with the opportunity to have a child, where they are unable to give birth.  Whilst in some countries you can pay an individual to give birth on your behalf, commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia. Surrogacy in Australia is governed by states and territories.  All Australian jurisdictions permit altruistic surrogacy, where the surrogate is unable to profit from the arrangement but their reasonable expenses are covered.

If you reside in the ACT and are pursuing parenthood, you should take note of the recent changes to legislation.   On 25 June 2024, the ACT Government passed the Parentage (Surrogacy) Amendment Bill 2023 (ACT).  The Bill brings a number of amendments to altruistic surrogacy in the ACT which include:

1.      The removal of the requirement that two intended parents enter into a surrogacy arrangement.  This allows for a single person to consider surrogacy, without the need to be in a relationship;

2.      The removal of the requirement to have a genetic connection with the child.  This change will be welcomed by future parents who face fertility challenges as it allows for traditional surrogacy (where the altruistic surrogate may conceive a child using their own egg); and

3.      All parties are required to seek independent legal advice and counselling prior to entering into a surrogacy arrangement.  This will likely reduce the potential for conflict, as altruistic surrogates and aspiring parents can better understand their rights and the nature of the surrogacy agreement.

The amendments better align ACT’s surrogacy laws with that of other Australian states and territories.

Surrogacy presents unique legal challenges for all adults involved.  For example, if you engage in commercial surrogacy, it may be difficult to gain recognition as the child’s legal parent in Australia, and the surrogate may remain the legal parent of the child.  Many future parents and potential altruistic surrogates negotiate and enter into surrogacy arrangements, which can stipulate what ‘reasonable’ expenses will be covered.

The likely costs involved for intended parents and the surrogate may include fertility treatment, legal advice (for you and the surrogate), counselling and psychological assessments, pregnancy and birth related expenses, and costs associated with obtaining a parentage order. Additional costs you should consider may include travel costs, loss of income, allied health treatment and pre-natal supplements.

Surrogacy laws can be tricky to navigate on your own.  For advice in relation to surrogacy laws in the ACT, contact Robinson + McGuinness to arrange an appointment on (02) 6225 7040, by email on info@rmfamilylaw.com.au or get started now online with one of our experienced lawyers.

Author: Anika Buckley