Access to surrogacy in Australia must be made easier

Australians have become the third largest user nation of international surrogacy, beaten only by China and Israel. The solution is enhancing access to surrogacy here in Australia, writes Sam Everingham.

ALTHOUGH Australia is not even in the top 50 nations by population and domestic surrogacy is legal, Australians have become the third largest user nation of international surrogacy, beaten only by China and Israel.

It’s a startling statistic. China has an enormous population and the carry-over effects of its now defunct one-child policy explains its lead position. Israel does not even make the top 100 nations for population, but for Israeli’s childlessness is socially unacceptable.

We all know someone who could not have the child they long hoped for — unexplained infertility, lack of a womb due to genetic abnormalities or a hysterectomy.

Australians are the third largest user nation of international surrogacy. Picture: iStock

They may have had complications with previous pregnancies or are on a lifesaving medication which makes a pregnancy too risky.

Once there were other avenues. But the door to domestic adoption slammed shut in the wake of our national shame regarding the Stolen Generation over two decades ago.

Overseas adoption evaporated when Australia (and many other countries) signed a Hague Convention after reports that some agencies were taking children from poor families.

Yes Australia has altruistic surrogacy available, but it is often costlier than travelling abroad and until now, poorly supported.

So Australians are shunning domestic surrogacy in their hundreds each year, put off by an infrastructure that is simply not fit for purpose.

A recent study of 30 Australian altruistic surrogates showed how little emotional and practical support is available for surrogates.

There is simply no government support to cater to this extraordinary group of women who willingly offer to help others.

An expert 2018 review of the MBS schedule has recommended that rebates be applied to surrogacy.

Meanwhile hundreds of Australians annually battle with foreign hospital systems in distant nations, too often supporting premature newborns in neonatal intensive care units for months.

The solution is enhancing access to surrogacy here in Australia.

Sam Everingham with partner Phil and children Zoe and Ruby, who were born through surrogacy.

There are in fact many Australian women happy to carry a child for another couple without payment.

But we need to provide better screening (of surrogates and intended parents), better expense management, improved emotional support throughout the journey, giving confidence to both potential surrogates and intended parents.

The charity Surrogacy Australia has tired of making endless submissions to inquiries that make recommendations which are never actioned. It has recently launched a support program, modelled on best practice, to support intended parents and surrogates on these complex journeys to parenthood. With the right sort of government support, it may be a game-changer.

Sam Everingham is the President of Surrogacy Australia.