The clinic recruited donor recipient is given the profile of the potential donor, made up 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.”

02 Who requires donor sperm?

Donated sperm is needed by a diverse range of people for a variety of reasons, such as heterosexual couples who are incapable of falling pregnant naturally as a consequence of male infertility, which can be the result of genetic and infectious causes or physical damage. Some men are simply unable to produce sperm, making it impossible to conceive with their partner. Our sperm donor program offers a solution for these biological barriers that can sadly prevent people from naturally conceiving. It also offers lesbian couples and single people the opportunity to have a child. We are passionate about helping every kind of family achieve their dreams of having a baby.

03 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 on 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.

04 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.

Become a sperm donor

Donating sperm is an incredibly generous act. You will be changing lives by assisting couples and individuals in becoming parents – something they would otherwise be unable to achieve on their own. City Fertility provides an advanced sperm donor program to support you through the entire process. Our specialist team ensures a professional experience for all of our sperm donors. City Fertility’s sperm donor program helps both individuals and couples right across Australia in their effort to bring a baby into their family. We strive to provide as much information about the process as possible. With highly knowledgeable fertility nurses, scientists and professional counsellors, we are able to answer all of your questions and queries before, during and after the process, ensuring you are receiving all of the information and support you require.

Learn more

Who can be a sperm donor?

We welcome healthy donors of all backgrounds to become sperm donors if they meet these criteria:

Aged 18-45

No history of genetic disease or hereditary condition. Donors will not be accepted if they suffer from an illness, disease or genetic condition that poses an unacceptable risk of being passed on to any child conceived from the donation

Have a low risk of contracting STDs and HIV/AIDS

Can provide a family medical history

Willing to sign a lifestyle declaration form

If married or in a de facto relationship, partner must consent to the donation.

Clinic-recruited donors need to have a permanent residential address and need to be able to be contacted for follow-up tests. They are also required to provide three identifiers and proof of a permanent address, e.g. driver’s licence, photo ID or passport.

Non-Australian citizen clinic-recruited donors with working holiday or temporary working visas will not be accepted. Donors with temporary resident visas may be accepted if they can satisfy the above requirements.

Types of donors

Known donor: When the donor and recipient know each other and already have a relationship, this is known as 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.

The Process

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.

1. Medical consultation

Upon attending an appointment with a City Fertility specialist, you (and your partner, if applicable) will receive information about the process and the procedures involved as well as having your medical details assessed to ensure you are a healthy and suitable candidate for sperm donation.Ovarian stimulation is the first step in an IVF cycle. It involves a series of daily follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) injections self-administered at home from Day 2 or 3 of your menstrual cycle. This medication is used to stimulate the ovaries to encourage the growth of multiple follicles containing eggs.

2. Sperm test and semen assessment

You will be required to provide a semen sample and we will perform a semen assessment to determine whether your sperm is acceptable for donation. The City Fertility scientist will analyse your semen and send the results to your specialist.

3. Patient education presentation

Before beginning your donation, you will also be required to have a patient education presentation. This presentation may be self-directed or done by the clinic fertility nurses. This presentation will give you information about the process, increasing your knowledge and giving you further insight into what you can expect from the donation

4. Pathology collection

You (and your partner) will be required to partake in routine screening tests. Your specialist or fertility nurse will provide you with all of the results from your medical tests.

The tests required by the donor include:

HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) 1+2, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Cystic Fibrosis, Karyotype, Blood Group, Fragile X Syndrome (FXS), Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Full Blood Count, semen testing (M/C/S), urine testing (Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea). You are also required to provide a saliva test for extended genetic testing and urine samples throughout the donation process.

The tests required by the donor partner include:

HIV, hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, Human T-lymphotropic Virus (HTLV) 1+2, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Chlamydia and Gonorrhoea.

Please note: further testing may be ordered if required.

5. Counselling

As a legal requirement, you (and your partner) will need to attend counselling sessions with a nominated City Fertility counsellor. These sessions give you the chance to learn as much information as possible and to raise any questions regarding the donation, as well as the social and legal implications of becoming a sperm donor. If you are a known donor, a joint session is required with your recipient(s).

If you have questions about your motivation behind donating sperm, or concerns about the effect it may have on your existing children (if applicable) and relationships, your counsellor can assist you to work through any apprehensions you may have. The clinic will provide you with the contact details for your counsellor.

6. Donation

Once these pre-requisites have been finalised and your tests have returned clear, you will be asked to organise a time to give your donations in the clinic.

Sperm donations are required to be produced within the clinic so the scientists can confirm the identity of the donor and process the sample within the ideal time period. Samples must be produced without using lubricants and must be collected in the sterile containers provided.

Ideally, we would like a clinic-recruited donor to provide up to five donations. The number of donations required for a recipient-recruited donor should be discussed with the specialist and the recipient.

We quarantine the donated sperm for a period of three months before it can be cleared for use by the recipient. During this time and thereafter, you must inform City Fertility if:

You get the flu or any other illness
You begin taking drugs or medication
You and/or your sexual partner(s) contract sexually transmitted disease (STD)
You or any of your family members are diagnosed with an inherited disease or illness.

This information is extremely important as these factors have an effect on the quality of your semen and the health of any child conceived by your donation.

7. Clearance for use

Once quarantine is complete, you will be requested to attend to final screening tests (HIV, Hepatitis B and C, , CMV, Syphilis, HTLV 1+2 and urine Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea) that confirm the clearance of the sperm for use. If your tests are clear and you are healthy, your sperm is cleared for use by the recipient.

FAQs

01 Sperm allocation
The clinic recruited donor recipient is given the profile of the potential donor, made up 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.”
02 Who requires donor sperm?
Donated sperm is needed by a diverse range of people for a variety of reasons, such as heterosexual couples who are incapable of falling pregnant naturally as a consequence of male infertility, which can be the result of genetic and infectious causes or physical damage. Some men are simply unable to produce sperm, making it impossible to conceive with their partner.

Our sperm donor program offers a solution for these biological barriers that can sadly prevent people from naturally conceiving. It also offers lesbian couples and single people the opportunity to have a child. We are passionate about helping every kind of family achieve their dreams of having a baby.
03 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 on 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.
04 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.