Surrogacy Costs in Australia: Financial Guide 2026

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost in Australia?

Total surrogacy costs in Australia typically range from $25,000 to $100,000+

This wide range reflects the biggest variable: how many IVF cycles you need before
achieving pregnancy

If pregnancy occurs on the first cycle: $25,000-40,000 If you need 2-4 cycles (more common):
$50,000-75,000 If the journey is complex or takes many cycles: $75,000-100,000+

This guide breaks down every cost so you can budget realistically and understand where money
goes in an Australian surrogacy journey.

Quick Cost Overview

Expense Category	Typical Cost Range
Medical screening	$2,000 – $5,000
Counselling (all parties)	$1,500 – $3,000
Legal fees (all parties)	$5,000 – $12,000
State approvals (if required)	$500 – $2,000
IVF treatment per cycle	$10,000 – $15,000
Multiple IVF cycles	$20,000 – $60,000+
Pregnancy expenses	$5,000 – $15,000
Post-birth counselling	$1,000 – $2,000
Parentage order legal costs	$4,000 – $10,000
Contingency buffer	$5,000 – $10,000
Total typical range	$44,000 – $119,000+

Understanding Australian Surrogacy Costs

What Makes Australian Surrogacy Expensive?

1. Altruistic Surrogacy Only

Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia. However, this doesn’t mean surrogacy is free.

Permitted: Reimbursing the surrogate’s genuine pregnancy-related expenses. Not permitted: Paying the surrogate a fee, gift, or reward for carrying the baby.

What this means financially:

You don’t pay a surrogate tens of thousands of dollars as in commercial arrangements
You do pay all actual costs she incurs due to the pregnancy
Medical, legal, and IVF costs remain substantial

2. IVF Is Expensive

Most Australian surrogacies use IVF (gestational surrogacy):

Each IVF cycle costs $10,000-15,000
Many families need 2-4+ cycles
Success rate is approximately 30-50% per cycle
This is the single biggest variable cost

We offer legal services for IVF and our role is to help support and advise during what can be an emotionally demanding time.

3. Professional Fees Add Up

Surrogacy requires:

Fertility lawyers (separate for each party)
Counsellors (separate for each party)
Fertility specialists
Obstetricians
Court applications

Each professional charges their own standard fees.

4. Timeline Means Ongoing Costs

Surrogacy journeys typically take 2-5 years:

Costs spread over a long period
Unexpected expenses arise
Financial circumstances can change
Length of surrogacy journey varies significantly

Make an Appointment

Detailed Cost Breakdown

Stage 1: Medical Screening — $2,000 to $5,000

Surrogate’s medical screening:

GP consultation and health assessment: $150-300
Gynecological examination: $200-400
Blood tests (infectious diseases, hormones, blood typing): $300-800
Ultrasound: $150-300
General health screening: $200-500
Surrogate screening total: $1,000-2,300

Intended parents’ screening:

Fertility assessment: $200-400
Semen analysis: $100-200
Egg reserve testing (if applicable): $200-400
Genetic screening (if recommended): $400-1,500
Blood tests: $300-600
Intended parents total: $1,200-3,100

If using donor eggs or sperm:

Donor screening additional: $500-1,000

Medicare rebates:

Many consultations are partly covered
Some tests are not covered
Out-of-pocket total is typically $2,000-5,000

Stage 2: Counselling — $1,500 to $3,000

Required for:

Intended parent(s) (individual and couple sessions)
Surrogate
Surrogate’s partner

Costs:

Per session: $200-400
Sessions per person: 2-4
Total sessions needed: 6-12

Example breakdown:

Intended parents (couple): $800-1,600 (4 sessions)
Surrogate: $400-800 (2-4 sessions)
Surrogate’s partner: $300-600 (2-3 sessions)

Who pays: Intended parents pay for everyone’s counselling.

Medicare rebates: Surrogacy is not covered by Medicare, so there are no rebates available.

Total: $1,500-3,000

Stage 3: Legal Fees — $5,000 to $12,000

Separate lawyers are required for:

Intended parents
Surrogate
Surrogate’s partner

Intended parents’ lawyer costs:

Initial consultation: $300-600
Surrogacy agreement drafting: $2,000-4,500
Advice throughout the process: $500-1,500
Total: $2,800-6,600

Surrogate’s lawyer costs:

Agreement review and advice: $1,200-3,000
Ongoing advice: $300-500
Total: $1,500-3,500

Surrogate’s partner’s lawyer:

Review and advice: $800-2,000

Additional legal costs:

Complex situations: +$1,000-3,000
Interstate arrangements: +$1,000-2,000
Corrections or amendments: +$500-1,500

Who pays: Intended parents pay everyone’s legal costs.

Total legal costs: $5,000-12,000

Learn more about our surrogacy lawyer services

Stage 4: State Approvals — $500 to $2,000

Surrogacy in Victoria — Patient Review Panel:

Application fee: $400-800
Additional documentation costs: $100-300
Total: $500-1,100

Surrogacy in Western Australia — Reproductive Technology Council:

Application fee: $600-1,200
Additional requirements: $200-500
Total: $800-1,700

Surrogacy in NSW, QLD and other states: Minimal or no approval fees.

Stage 5: IVF Treatment — $20,000 to $60,000+

This is the biggest variable cost.

One IVF cycle costs:

Egg collection and fertilisation:

IVF cycle (egg collection, lab work, embryo culture): $8,000-12,000
Medications (stimulation drugs): $3,000-5,000
Anaesthetist for egg collection: $400-800
Specialist consultations (2-4 appointments): $600-1,200
Ultrasounds and monitoring: $300-800
Sperm preparation: $300-600
One cycle total: $12,600-20,400

Medicare rebates:

Surrogacy is not covered by Medicare, so there are no rebates available.
Out-of-pocket per cycle: $10,000-15,000

Embryo transfer cycle:

Frozen embryo transfer (FET): $3,000-5,000
Medications for transfer: $500-1,500
Monitoring and consultations: $400-800
FET cycle: $3,900-7,300

Medicare rebates on FET:

Surrogacy is not covered by Medicare, so there are no rebates available.

How Many Cycles Will You Need?

Success rates (per embryo transfer):

Using eggs from a woman under 35: 40-50%
Using eggs from a woman aged 35-37: 35-40%
Using eggs from a woman aged 38-40: 25-30%
Using eggs from a woman over 40: 15-20%

Realistic budgeting:

Budget for at least 2-3 full IVF cycles
Some families need 4-6+ cycles
Each fresh cycle: $10,000-15,000
Each frozen transfer: $2,500-5,000

Example total IVF costs:

Scenario 1: Success on the second transfer

1 egg collection cycle: $12,000
1 frozen transfer: $3,500
Total: $15,500

Scenario 2: Typical journey (3 cycles)

2 egg collection cycles: $24,000
2 frozen transfers: $7,000
Total: $31,000

Scenario 3: Extended journey (5+ cycles)

3 egg collection cycles: $36,000
3 frozen transfers: $10,500
Total: $46,500+

IVF costs range: $20,000 – $60,000+ (the most common variable)

Stage 6: Pregnancy Expenses — $5,000 to $15,000

What can be reimbursed:

Medical costs:

Specialist obstetrician (if private): $3,000-6,000
Additional ultrasounds not covered by Medicare: $500-1,500
Tests and procedures: $500-2,000
Hospital costs (if private): $2,000-5,000
Medical total: $6,000-14,500

Maternity clothing:

Professional work clothes: $300-800
Casual maternity wear: $200-500
Clothing total: $500-1,300

Travel and appointments:

Travel to appointments over 40+ weeks: $500-2,000
Parking: $200-500
Meals during long appointments: $300-800
Travel total: $1,000-3,300

Lost income:

Time off work for appointments: $500-2,000
Pregnancy complications requiring leave: $2,000-10,000+
Postnatal recovery time: $1,000-5,000
Lost income total: $3,500-17,000 (highly variable)

Other pregnancy expenses:

Extra childcare for surrogate’s children: $500-2,000
Pregnancy support items (pillows, support belt): $100-300
Pregnancy vitamins: $200-400
Other total: $800-2,700

Total pregnancy expenses: $5,000-15,000 (More if there is significant lost income or private medical care)

Stage 7: Post-Birth Counselling — $1,000 to $2,000

Required in: ACT, and recommended in other states.

Costs:

Counselling for all parties post-birth: $1,000-2,000
A different counsellor from pre-conception is required

Stage 8: Parentage Order — $4,000 to $10,000

Legal costs:

Lawyer preparing parentage order application: $3,000-7,000
Complex cases: $5,000-10,000
Interstate matters: $6,000-12,000

Court fees:

Filing fees: $500-1,500 (varies by state)
Some states waive fees for parentage orders

Birth certificate:

New birth certificate: $50-200

Total parentage order costs: $4,000-10,000

Additional Costs to Consider

Interstate Surrogacy — Add $5,000 to $20,000

If the surrogate lives in a different state:

Travel costs:

Flights for appointments: $2,000-8,000
Accommodation: $2,000-6,000
Rental car: $1,000-3,000
Travel total: $5,000-17,000

Additional legal complexity:

Two jurisdictions: +$2,000-5,000

IVF clinic travel:

Frequent travel for monitoring: +$3,000-8,000

Donor Eggs or Sperm — Add $1,000 to $15,000

Using donor eggs:

Egg donor screening: $1,000-2,000
Egg donation cycle: $5,000-10,000 (often included in IVF cost)
Donor agency fees (if applicable): $2,000-5,000
Total additional: $8,000-17,000

Using donor sperm:

Donor sperm purchase: $1,000-2,500
Screening: $500-1,000
Total additional: $1,500-3,500

Our role is to support stability and reduce stress during what can be an emotionally demanding time.

Complications or Special Circumstances — Variable

Multiple pregnancy:

Increased medical monitoring: +$2,000-5,000
Additional specialist care: +$1,000-3,000
More lost income: +$2,000-10,000

Pregnancy complications:

Hospitalisation: +$5,000-20,000
Extended leave: +$5,000-15,000
Additional medical care: +$2,000-10,000

Premature birth:

NICU costs: Covered by Medicare in most cases
Extended hospital stay: +$2,000-10,000
Additional expenses: +$3,000-8,000

What Is Not a Reasonable Expense

Only genuine pregnancy-related expenses can be reimbursed. The following are not permitted:

Payment or fee to the surrogate
Gifts to the surrogate that constitute payment
Rent or mortgage payments
Bills unrelated to pregnancy
General lifestyle expenses
The surrogate’s pre-existing debts
Holidays or treats
Excessive amounts in any category

If in doubt, ask your lawyer before reimbursing any expense.

Do surrogates get paid in Australia?

No. A surrogate in Australia can’t be paid a fee for carrying a baby. She can only be reimbursed for reasonable costs linked to the surrogacy, such as medical bills, insurance, legal fees and some lost income. Paying more than can be a criminal offence and it can stop the court making a parentage order.

So when people ask how much a surrogate earns in Australia, the answer is nothing beyond her costs. The aim is that she’s never out of pocket, not that she makes money. The Australian Law Reform Commission is reviewing whether surrogates should be compensated. Katie has written about what the review could mean, but for now the law hasn’t changed.

Can a Surrogate claim lost income?

Yes. But there are limits. For example, in New South Wales, reimbursement for loss of earnings associated with the birth is limited to a period of two months. The legislation does not require that the entire two-month period be taken either before or after the birth. It may be divided between the two, depending on the Surrogate’s individual circumstances.

For example, a Surrogate may need to finish work at 38 weeks’ gestation because of the physical demands of late pregnancy or on medical advice. Her two-month period may therefore commence before the birth, with the balance available to cover her recovery period after the baby is born.

Alternatively, a Surrogate who is able to continue working until close to the birth may use most or all of the two-month period following delivery. This may be particularly important where she has undergone a caesarean section, experienced complications during the birth, or simply requires an appropriate period of time to physically recover before returning to work.

The important point is that the two-month period provides some flexibility to respond to the Surrogate’s actual circumstances. It should be discussed before the arrangement is entered into, including how any anticipated loss of income will be calculated and reimbursed, while recognising that the precise timing may need to change depending on the pregnancy, birth and recovery.

Can I give my surrogate a gift?

A small, genuine gift is unlikely to be a problem. Anything of real value, such as cash, a car, a holiday or paying off a debt, could be treated as payment. Check with your lawyer before giving anything significant.

Budget Planning: How to Prepare Financially

Minimum vs Realistic Budget

Absolute minimum (if circumstances are very favourable): $25,000

1 IVF cycle succeeds
Public medical care throughout
No complications
Same state as surrogate
All legal and professional work is straightforward

Realistic budget for most families: $50,000-75,000

2-3 IVF cycles
Mix of public and private care
Professional support throughout
Some interstate costs
Contingency buffer included

Budget for a complex journey: $75,000-100,000+

Multiple IVF attempts
Complications
Interstate arrangements
Donor eggs or sperm
Legal complexities

Creating Your Surrogacy Budget

Step 1: Start with fixed costs

Medical screening: $3,000
Counselling: $2,000
Legal fees: $8,000
State approvals (if applicable): $1,000
Parentage order: $6,000
Fixed costs total: $20,000

Step 2: Estimate IVF cycles needed

Consider egg age and quality
Budget for 3 cycles: $35,000
Add to fixed costs: $55,000

Step 3: Estimate pregnancy expenses

Private or public care?
Interstate travel required?
Likely lost income?
Budget estimate: $8,000
Add to budget: $63,000

Step 4: Add a contingency buffer

Unexpected costs always arise
A 15-20% buffer is recommended
Add $10,000-12,000
Total budget: $73,000-75,000

Saving and Funding Strategies

How families fund surrogacy:

Personal savings

Start saving early (2-3 years before)
Automate savings contributions
Reduce discretionary spending

Selling assets

Investment properties
Shares or other investments
Vehicles or possessions

Family loans or gifts

Parents or relatives contributing
Structure as a loan or gift
Document all arrangements

Personal loans

Unsecured personal loans: 8-15% interest
Secured loans (against property): 5-8% interest
Compare rates carefully

Redrawing on mortgage

If you have available equity
Lower interest than personal loans
Extends the mortgage term

Superannuation early release

Financial hardship grounds (very limited)
Medical grounds (very limited)
Consult a financial advisor before pursuing this option

What not to do:

High-interest credit cards
Payday loans
Borrowing more than you can afford to repay

Tax Deductibility

Are surrogacy costs tax deductible?

No. Surrogacy expenses are not tax deductible in Australia. The medical expenses tax offset was removed in 2019, so even medical costs are not deductible.

Cost Comparison: Australian vs Overseas Surrogacy

Why Some Consider Overseas Surrogacy

Overseas surrogacy involves:

Legal complexities when returning to Australia
Commercial surrogacy being illegal for some Australian residents
No automatic Australian parentage
Immigration challenges
Ethical concerns
Distance and significant travel costs
Risk of changes in foreign law

For most Australian families, domestic surrogacy is legally safer and ultimately similar in cost when all factors are considered.

Cost comparison:

Australia: $50,000-100,000 (mostly IVF and professional fees)
USA commercial surrogacy: $150,000-250,000 USD ($230,000-380,000 AUD)
Other countries (where legal): $50,000-100,000

Learn more about international surrogacy →

Keeping Track of Expenses

Why Record-Keeping Matters

You will need detailed records for:

The parentage order application (the court reviews expenses)
Your own budget tracking
Tax records (though costs are not deductible, keep records anyway)
Transparency with your surrogate

Is the promise to reimburse enforceable?

Surrogacy agreements are enforceable except for the sections that deal with the reimbursement of the Surrogate’s reasonable medical expenses. Those sections of the surrogacy agreement can be enforced in a court.

This protects surrogates if intended parents stop paying. It’s one reason every surrogate should get her own legal advice before signing.

Do reimbursement rules differ between states?

Every state and territory allows reasonable costs and bans anything beyond them. The details vary:

Queensland: medical, insurance, counselling, legal costs and lost earnings within limits (Surrogacy Act 2010, section 11)
New South Wales: medical, travel, accommodation, insurance, counselling, legal fees and a limited period of lost income
Victoria: reasonable costs linked to the pregnancy, birth and arrangement
Western Australia: costs only, and expenses are the one enforceable part of the agreement
South Australia: pregnancy and medical costs, counselling, legal fees and lost income including up to two months of leave, set out in the prescribed agreement form
Tasmania: a narrower list of medical costs, legal fees and lost income from pregnancy-related leave
ACT and Northern Territory: reasonable medical, legal and related expenses

For the wider legal picture in each state, see is surrogacy legal in Australia.

How to Track Expenses

Create an expense spreadsheet

Categories: Medical, Legal, Counselling, Travel, Pregnancy, etc.
Record the date, description, amount, and receipt reference
Maintain a running total

Keep all receipts

Digital copies are recommended
Organise by category
Store somewhere easily accessible

Process payments promptly

Reimburse the surrogate regularly (weekly or monthly)
Don’t allow reimbursements to accumulate
Maintain clear communication about what is covered

Consider a separate bank account

Dedicated surrogacy funds
Makes tracking easier
Provides clear separation from household finances

Frequently Asked Questions About Surrogacy Costs

Is there any financial assistance for surrogacy in Australia?

Not directly. There are no government grants, rebates, or assistance programs specifically for surrogacy costs. Surrogacy is not covered by Medicare, so there are no rebates available. However, many private health insurance providers will permit claims for rebates during surrogacy.

Can we fundraise for surrogacy costs?

This is a legally grey area. Public fundraising could be seen as commercialising surrogacy. Safer approaches include private family loans or gifts, personal savings, and standard financing options. Consult your lawyer before launching any public fundraising campaign.

What if we can’t afford multiple IVF cycles?

This is a genuine concern for many families. Options include saving for several years before starting, beginning with 1-2 cycles and saving for more if needed, using frozen embryos from previous cycles (which is cheaper than fresh cycles), spreading costs over time, and discussing payment plans with your fertility clinic.

Who pays if the pregnancy has complications?

Intended parents cover reasonable additional costs, including medical care (mostly covered by Medicare), additional appointments, lost income if the surrogate cannot work, and additional support required. These should be covered as pregnancy-related expenses.

What if we separate during the surrogacy?

Costs already incurred still need to be paid. Ongoing costs can become complex – legal advice is essential. The surrogacy agreement should address this contingency from the outset.

Can the surrogate ask for more money later?

If genuine unexpected pregnancy expenses arise, yes – these should be covered. However, the surrogate cannot ask for payment or fees beyond reasonable expenses. All expense reimbursement should be documented throughout.

Is surrogacy cheaper than adoption in Australia?

Costs are broadly similar. Adoption typically costs $30,000-100,000+ (depending on type and country of origin), while surrogacy costs $50,000-100,000. Both require significant financial commitment, and cost should not be the only consideration.

How much do surrogates get paid in Australia?

Surrogates in Australia can’t be paid a fee. They’re reimbursed for reasonable costs linked to the surrogacy, such as medical bills, insurance, legal fees and lost earnings.

Do intended parents pay the surrogate’s legal fees?

Usually, yes. The surrogate’s reasonable legal costs are a reimbursable expense, and intended parents generally cover them.

Financial Planning Timeline

2-3 Years Before Starting

Research and understand the full costs involved
Create a savings plan
Build an emergency fund separately
Review your insurance coverage
Consider financing options

6-12 Months Before Starting

Finalise your budget
Secure funding (savings or loan)
Set up an expense tracking system
Discuss costs openly with your surrogate
Plan for contingencies

During the Process

Track all expenses
Process reimbursements regularly
Review your budget monthly
Adjust as needed
Communicate openly with your surrogate

Get Financial Guidance for Your Surrogacy Journey

Understanding surrogacy costs is essential for planning your journey. The Family Village can help with realistic cost expectations, advice on what expenses are reasonable, legal requirements around finances, expense provisions in the surrogacy agreement, and expense documentation for the parentage order.

Book a consultation to discuss your specific situation, state requirements, budget planning, expense documentation, and legal compliance.