Australia's first public egg and sperm bank has opened in Victoria this week

It's now open for donations

Donated eggs and sperm can help people to start a family for various different reasons. Image: Getty

An Australian-first free public egg and sperm bank has opened in Victoria, meaning more people struggling with fertility can fulfil their dreams of becoming parents. 

People struggling with fertility are one step closer to becoming parents without the added stress, thanks to the Victoria Government and the Royal Women's Hospital opening Australia's very first free public egg and sperm bank.

The new facility opened at the hospital this week as part of the state government's $120 million public fertility service program.

"Public IVF is already helping hundreds of Victorians make their dream of having a baby a reality," Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said.

"Helping someone start their family is one of the most generous gifts you could give someone, and our new public egg and sperm bank will help even more Victorians, do just that."

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The state's Acting Health Minister Gabrielle Williams launched the bank at the Royal Women's in Melbourne alongside Women's CEO, Professor Sue Matthews, who said donated eggs and sperm can help people for a kaleidoscope of reasons.

"Sperm and egg donation can help a range of people, from women experiencing early menopause after cancer, to those who have experienced repeated miscarriages, same-sex couples and people who have serious genetic issues," Professor Matthews explained.

"With the help of generous people who will come forward to donate their eggs or sperm, we'll be making it easier and fairer for people to realise their dream of starting a family."

According to Family Planning Australia, about 16 per cent of couples have issues with fertility. Image: iStock

While it's estimated up to 5000 Victorians will start their family through the scheme each year, there will be strict guidelines to follow including:

• Potential egg donors need to be Australian citizens aged between 23 and 38 years.
• Potential sperm donors need to be Australian citizens aged between 23 and 45 years at the time of commencing their donation.
• Under Victorian law, potential sperm donors cannot donate if they have a baby less than 12 months of age, are currently undertaking fertility treatment or if they have a partner who is currently pregnant.
• All donors will need to attend counselling and undertake medical health questionnaires, screening tests and other medical and psychological enquiries.
• In Victoria, egg and sperm donors cannot be paid for their donations and all donors must be prepared to have their identifying details registered with the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority and released to any person born as a result of their donation.
• Anonymous donation is not allowed in Australia.

According to Family Planning Australia, about 16 per cent of Australian couples have issues with fertility. About one-third of those are because of fertility issues with the woman, and another third are due to infertility problems with the man.

The remaining portion falls on issues with both the male and female in the relationship and also the unknown.

Originally published as Australia's first public egg and sperm bank has opened in Victoria this week