Australian Family and Fertility Law

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In this episode of the Page Provan podcast, renowned fertility and family law expert Stephen Page explores why Australia’s surrogacy system is no longer fit for purpose — and what must be done to fix it. 

Drawing on insights from his recent article in the Australian Family Lawyer journal, Stephen outlines the serious legal and ethical gaps in Australia’s current patchwork of surrogacy laws. With intended parents forced overseas, surrogates left without clear protections, and children caught in the middle, the need for reform is undeniable. 

As the Australian Law Reform Commission undertakes a major review of surrogacy laws, this conversation is both timely and necessary. With decades of experience and hundreds of surrogacy cases behind him, Stephen brings a unique clarity to one of the most complex areas of modern family law.

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In this episode of the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, renowned surrogacy lawyer Stephen Page of Page Provan Family and Fertility Lawyers unpacks a cautionary case that’s sending shockwaves through the surrogacy community. 

Stephen explores the recent Federal Circuit and Family Court decision in Lloyd & Compton, where a Queensland couple's overseas surrogacy journey in North Cyprus ended not with celebration — but with a referral for criminal prosecution. With over three decades of experience and more than 2,000 surrogacy cases across 40 countries, Stephen breaks down what went wrong, the legal missteps made, and what every hopeful parent needs to know before engaging in surrogacy abroad. 

This episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complex intersection of Australian family law and international fertility arrangements.

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In this episode of the Australian Family & Fertility Law Podcast, leading surrogacy lawyer Stephen Page unpacks the New South Wales Supreme Court case of Re N — a cautionary tale of what happens when surrogacy law is handled by the inexperienced.

A seemingly straightforward surrogacy journey derailed due to a lack of independent counselling and a series of legal missteps, ultimately leading to a rejected report and a stern warning from the bench.

Stephen explores:

• The role of independent assessments in surrogacy cases 🧑‍⚖️
• Why Justice Parker refused to accept a compromised process ⚖️
• How $4,000 in counselling fees went to waste 💸
• What lawyers (and intended parents) must do to get it right the first time

Whether you're considering surrogacy or working in family law, this episode is a must-listen on why expertise matters.

Hosted by Stephen Page, Australia’s most experienced surrogacy lawyer, with over 2,000 journeys advised across 39 countries.

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In this episode of the Australian Family & Fertility Law Podcast, Stephen Page tackles two shocking developments involving Monash IVF:

1️⃣ A heartbreaking embryo mix-up where one couple’s embryo was mistakenly implanted in another woman — only discovered after the child was born. Stephen discusses the legal, ethical, and emotional fallout, and why protecting the child's privacy is paramount.

2️⃣ A sudden halt to treatments using international donor sperm due to new legislation in Queensland — requiring donor contact details that many clinics simply don’t have. Without a transitional clause, many hopeful families have been left in limbo.

Stephen cuts through the confusion, explains the implications of Queensland’s Assisted Reproductive Technology Act, and calls for urgent reform to protect families.

🎙️ A must-listen for anyone navigating IVF, donor conception, or interested in the intersection of law, ethics, and family.

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In this episode of the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, renowned family and fertility lawyer Stephen Page explores one of the most significant events to hit Australia's IVF landscape — the Monash embryo mix-up in Brisbane. For the first time in Australian history, an IVF clinic mistakenly implanted the wrong embryo, leading to widespread concern, heartbreak, and legal questions.

Stephen examines the human impact on the families involved, the importance of safeguarding their privacy, and the emotional weight carried by clinic staff. He also addresses the calls for tighter regulation of fertility clinics, outlining the new Assisted Reproductive Technology Act in Queensland and what it means for future practice.

Drawing on decades of legal experience, Stephen unpacks critical questions around parentage, custody, and the child's best interests — connecting these issues to high-profile international cases like the Baby Gammy surrogacy case.

With empathy, expertise, and sharp legal insight, Stephen brings listeners a thoughtful analysis of how Australian family and fertility law responds when the unimaginable happens.

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Welcome to the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast with your host, Stephen Page from Page Provan Family and Fertility Lawyers. In this episode, Stephen dives into the ongoing exclusion of surrogacy from Medicare coverage in Australia—a restriction that’s been in place since 1991, despite sweeping surrogacy law reforms across the country over the past decade. Stephen breaks down the recent political developments, including Senator Larissa Waters from the Greens pushing to finally remove this outdated exclusion. He sheds light on the real costs behind funding surrogacy under Medicare (hint: it’s nowhere near what the headlines claim), the regulatory hurdles that remain, and why he believes now is the time for major parties to act. If you’re interested in family law, fertility rights, or just want a clear explanation of an often-misunderstood policy, this conversation is one you won’t want to miss.

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In this episode of the Australian Family & Fertility Law Podcast, renowned fertility and family lawyer Stephen Page of Page Provan unpacks a topic many Australians don’t often think about — where our sperm donations actually come from.

With Australia facing an ongoing shortage of local sperm donors, Stephen explains the key reasons behind this dilemma — from legal fears around inheritance to the country's non-payment policy for donors. He also sheds light on the global sperm trade 🌍, revealing why most donations come from the United States 🇺🇸, and the emerging contributions from countries like Denmark 🇩🇰, Malaysia, and beyond.

Whether you're involved in fertility treatment, curious about donor laws, or just love learning something new — this episode offers a fascinating and frank look into the world of donor sperm in Australia. 🧬

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In this episode of the Australian Family & Fertility Law Podcast, Stephen Page breaks down an issue that’s becoming increasingly common but rarely talked about: the importing of donor eggs into Australia. With local egg donation rates critically low — largely due to the absence of compensation and Australia’s strict transparency laws — many hopeful parents are turning to international egg banks to make their dreams of starting a family a reality.

Stephen dives deep into:

• 🌍 Where these donor eggs are coming from — including the U.S., Ukraine, Malaysia, and potentially South Africa, Argentina, and Canada
• 🧬 Who the donors are — including trends in donor backgrounds and diversity
• ⚖️ The legal frameworks and importation rules that govern this process in Australia
• 🤝 The ethical questions that arise when we look beyond borders for such intimate donations
• 🛑 Why Australia’s current system discourages local egg donation, and what needs to change

This episode is essential for anyone considering international donor eggs, working in fertility services, or interested in the evolving landscape of reproductive rights and access in Australia.

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In this episode of the Australian Family & Fertility Law Podcast, leading Australian family and fertility lawyer Stephen Page unpacks one of the most complex areas of fertility law: the import and export of eggs, sperm, and embryos into and out of Australia.

Stephen draws on decades of experience advising clients around the world to break down the legal frameworks that vary significantly across Australian states and territories. From written consent requirements to family limits and shifting regulatory bodies, he offers clear, practical insights for anyone navigating international fertility arrangements.

Listeners will also hear about the critical ethical considerations, counseling obligations, and why Australian law firmly prohibits exporting reproductive materials for commercial surrogacy. Whether you’re an IVF patient, donor, or clinic professional, this episode is essential listening.

Tune in for a concise yet comprehensive guide to staying compliant and making informed decisions when fertility treatments cross borders.

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In this episode, leading family and fertility lawyer Stephen Page from Page Proven Family and Fertility Lawyers takes listeners beyond Australia's borders to explore the complexities of surrogacy law in New Zealand.

With a legal framework rooted in decades-old adoption legislation, the surrogacy process in New Zealand presents unique challenges that differ significantly from Australia's approach. Stephen breaks down the two forms of surrogacy available—gestational and traditional—highlighting the hurdles of committee approvals, parentage transfers, and the surprising requirement for adoption proceedings, even for international arrangements.

As he unpacks a landmark case involving a cross-border surrogacy agreement between Australia and New Zealand, Stephen provides a compelling analysis of the legal grey areas that intended parents must navigate. He also sheds light on the New Zealand Law Commission’s recommendations for reform, the potential for a more streamlined process, and what this could mean for intended parents in the future.

Whether you're considering surrogacy, working in the legal sector, or simply interested in how different jurisdictions regulate family formation, this episode offers a clear, expert perspective on an evolving legal landscape. Stay tuned as Stephen Page demystifies surrogacy law in New Zealand and its broader implications for legal reform.

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