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Donor Embryos

For some couples and individuals, donor embryos may give them a better chance of having a family than using donor sperm or eggs. Our embryo donor program has helped many couples achieve pregnancy – couples who may have had multiple fertility treatment cycles without success.

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Who can be an embryo donor?

If you’ve had IVF treatment but now feel your family is complete, you can choose to donate your remaining embryos to someone else - either directly to someone you know, or anonymously through QFG's donor program. Donating embryos is often preferred to disposing of embryos, however it is a decision that requires thought and consideration, and we’re here to help you choose what’s best for you.

What's involved in donating embryos?

As an embryo donor, you are required to:

  • undergo counselling with one of our experienced Fertility Counsellors
  • complete a series of blood tests to screen for infectious diseases and chromosomal abnormalities
  • complete a comprehensive social, physical and medical profile
  • sign a consent form agreeing to the release of identifiable information when and if a child born from your embryo turns 16 and requests details of your identity

If you choose to donate embryos anonymously, your identity is not revealed to the recipients of any embryos you choose to donate without your consent, however it may be requested by any donor conceived person once they turn16 years old.

Can using a donated embryo help me?

If you have experienced repeated failed IVF cycles, or other fertility treatments have been unsuccessful (or are likely to be unsuccessful due to a number of factors) your Fertility Specialist may suggest using a donated embryo as an option.

What is involved in using donated embryos?

Following your initial enquiry to our donor team, we can put you on our donor embryo waitlist.

When embryos are available, our donor team will contact you for an appointment with one of our counsellors to discuss the social, legal and emotional implications of being a recipient of donor embryos. You are given non-identifying information about the donor, and time to decide whether you wish to proceed. We also ask you to sign a consent form and your Fertility Specialist will organise screening blood tests. If you accept the offer, the embryos will be allocated to you and treatment may commence.

Your treatment will be what is known as a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET), a simple procedure that does not need an anaesthetic. The timing is arranged by your Fertility Specialist as part of a natural cycle, or in a hormone replacement cycle. Many women describe this procedure as similar to a pap smear.

If you know someone willing to donate an embryo to you, you will not need to be placed on the waitlist. Once we have completed the relevant screening and testing process, treatment can begin straight away.

How much does it cost to use a donor embryo?

There is a counselling consult fee and a donor coordination fee payable. Please check with our donor team for an current cost sheet for treatment using donated embryos at Queensland Fertility Group. In addition to the above fees, you will also need to pay for your frozen embryo transfer procedure.

With the introduction of the Assisted Reproductive Technology Act 2024 there are a number of changes relevant to you as a potential recipient of donated embryos.

These changes include the age of when a donor conceived person can access identifying information of their donor as well as the introduction of a donor conception information register (DCIR). You can find more information about these changes by visiting Changes to the law – donor conception information register | Your rights, crime and the law | Queensland Government.

To find out more about whether a donor embryo may be an option for you, talk to your QFG Fertility Specialist, or call us on 1800 111 483 to speak with an experienced Fertility Advisor.