Becoming a Sperm Donor – Step-by-Step Guide

1. Contact Sperm Donors Australia
   You can register your interest or request an initial appointment by emailing info@spermdonorsaustralia.com.au. Alternatively, you can phone us on 1800 985 838 to either arrange an initial appointment or request further information.
2. Registration 
   To become a sperm donor, you must complete our registration form. This form allows us to check that you meet the initial criteria to become a donor with Sperm Donors Australia.
3. Self-assessment and Medical History Form
   You will be asked to fill in a Self-assessment and medical history form. This form helps us understand your health background and is an important part of ensuring there’s minimal risk of passing on any genetic conditions. It only takes a few minutes, and a team member will review it with you over Teams to ensure it is accurate.
4. Semen Assessment
   You will be asked to produce a semen sample. The scientist will analyse your sample and send the results to the City Fertility fertility specialist. You should ideally have two to five days of abstinence before producing your sample.
5. Screening Tests
   You (and your partner) will be given a request form for your tests. These tests are required as part of the routine screening process necessary to donate sperm. You (and your partner) will need to get the tests completed so the results are available at your medical check-up. You are also required to provide urine samples throughout the donation process. Any results from your medical check-up and blood tests will be given to you by your fertility specialist or fertility coordinator. 
   The required tests are:
   • Donor: 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), thrombophilia and full blood count (FBC).
   • Urine testing: chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
   • Semen tests: M/C/S.
   • Donor partner: HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis, HTLV 1+2 and CMV. 
6. Medical Consultation with Fertility Specialist 
   To ensure that you are medically suitable to become a sperm donor, you will require a consultation with one of our fertility specialists. The specialist will review your test results and your medical and family history. Any results from your medical check-up and blood tests will be discussed with you, and there is no charge for this service.
7. Counselling
   It is mandatory for men who are considering donating sperm to attend two sessions (with their partners) with a nominated City Fertility counsellor. The sessions are an opportunity to receive information and have any questions about the social and legal issues surrounding sperm donation answered. The clinic will provide you with a counsellor’s contact details. This is a legal requirement, and SDA will pay for all counselling sessions.
8. Donation 
   Once all of the steps above have been completed, you can start donating. Ideally, we would like a donor to provide up to five donations. The time frame can be flexible: once or twice a week. Semen donations must be collected at the clinic to allow the scientists to confirm the donor’s identity and process the sample within the optimal time frame. The clinic has a private collection room on-site where you can collect your sample. We have reading and DVD material available to assist you in producing your sample. Samples must be produced without lubricants and collected in the sterile containers provided. A urine test is collected each time to test for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. On the date of the last donation, you are required to have a blood test again for CMV.
9. Quarantine Period  
   Sperm donations are quarantined for three months from the date of the final donation. After this period, donors are recalled for final screening, which is required before the sperm can be approved for use.
10. Sperm is Released for Use – Sperm Allocation 
    Once the donated sperm has completed its mandatory quarantine and testing period, it can be allocated to a recipient. Recipients receive a profile of their potential donor that includes non-identifying information, such as physical characteristics, cultural background, interests, education and career details. In accordance with NHMRC ethical guidelines, recipients are also entitled to information about the donor’s medical and family history, any genetic test results relevant to the health of the child, and the number and sex of children already conceived from that donor. This ensures recipients have access to all appropriate health and background information before proceeding with treatment.

Our friendly staff are available to discuss any questions you may have about our donor program, so please feel free to contact us. We are here to help you.