Introduction
Surrogacy in the ACT has been legal since November 1994. The Canberra Fertility Centre terms a “surrogate” as a woman who carries a pregnancy for another woman. The embryo contains none of the surrogate’s genetic material. The surrogate is a “gestational carrier” only. The genetic “make-up” of the embryo comes from the “Commissioning Couple”. The “Commissioning Couple” is the couple that wants the child. Only IVF surrogacy is sanctioned in the ACT. A booklet is available upon request that explains the process of surrogacy, or you can download this booklet in pdf format (255kb).

An Ethics Committee must approve each case of surrogacy. They have issued a set of guidelines to govern this process. The major emphasis on counselling so that disputes involving the child do not happen. The laws in each state are different, you must discuss your circumstance with a lawyer in your state especially regarding the issue of adoption should you be successful.

Enquiries
Dr Bronwyn Devine manages all surrogacy applications with the Canberra Fertility Centre. All questions and initial enquiries regarding surrogacy should be directed in writing to Dr Bronwyn Devine c/- Canberra Fertility Centre.

Dr Bronwyn Devine
Suite 14 Calvary Cinic
Mary Potter Circuit Bruce ACT 2617
Telephone: 02 6251 0255
Facsimilie: 02 6251 0977

Canberra Fertility Centre
PO Box 228 Curtin ACT 2605
Telephone: 02 6282 5458
Facsimile: 02 6281 2087
Email: coordinator@cfc.net.au
Website: www.canberrafertilitycenter.com.au

Surrogacy involves an IVF procedure. The oocytes and sperm come from the female and male called the “commissioning couple”, (that is the couple who want the baby). The surrogate female is also called a “gestational carrier” and is the female that will have a fertilised oocyte put into her body with the aim of becoming pregnant and carrying the commissioning couple’s baby.

The commissioning couple must find their own surrogate. It is illegal for the Canberra Fertility Centre to procure surrogates.