Why has donor sperm become so expensive in NSW?

A new interpretation of NSW law limits donors to five women globally, drastically reducing supply and causing prices for imported sperm to increase significantly, reaching tens of thousands of dollars.

What are the consequences of the new NSW donor sperm rules?

The new rules have led to a dramatic reduction in available donor sperm, causing long delays, higher costs for women seeking fertility treatment, and concerns about a push towards unregulated online sources.

How does the NSW donor sperm law affect women in other states?

The stricter interpretation of the NSW law is exacerbating an existing 'sperm drought' in other states like Victoria, as women who previously sought treatment in NSW may now face even longer waits or be unable to access donors.

Home / Health / NSW Sperm Donor Rules Spark Crisis

NSW Sperm Donor Rules Spark Crisis

29 Jan

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Summary

New NSW law drastically reduces donor sperm availability.
Women face tens of thousands of dollars for imported sperm.
Government's new interpretation created chaos for fertility treatments.

Australian women seeking donor sperm face a severely restricted supply and exorbitant price increases due to a recent NSW government decision. A new interpretation of state law now limits each sperm donor to inseminating a maximum of five women worldwide, a significant shift from the previous understanding of five women per donor within NSW.

This policy change, implemented without notice in September 2025, has led to critical shortages of donor sperm in NSW clinics. Consequently, the cost of imported sperm has surged from approximately $1000-$2000 to between $35,000 and $65,000 per treatment. Fertility specialists express concern that this will force women to remain childless, endure lengthy waiting lists, or resort to unregulated online platforms offering no genetic or STI testing.

The impact extends beyond NSW, exacerbating the existing sperm drought in Victoria. Women previously traveled to NSW for more timely treatment, but this option is now significantly curtailed. This situation highlights a growing need for national, unified laws regarding donor limits in fertility treatment.