Expert Speakers
Dr. Clifford Librach
Create Fertility Centre, Canada
Fertility Specialist &
Reproductive Endocrinologist
Guest Speakers
After a meaningful visit in July, we’re returning to Melbourne next March. Many people told us how helpful it was to finally get clear, reliable guidance on pathways that can feel overwhelming. This next event builds on that momentum and gives new and returning attendees a chance to explore their options with confidence.
Spend a full day learning from specialists in surrogacy, egg donation and cross border family building. You’ll hear from experts across Australia, the USA, Colombia and Mexico, along with first hand experiences from parents and surrogates who’ve already walked the path.
Event Details
Date & Time:
Sun, 15 Mar
Venue:
Rendezvous Hotel Melbourne
Address:
328 Flinders St, Melbourne VIC
Ticket Price:
$35 Early bird
–
until Jan 31
Why Attend
This event helps you cut through uncertainty. You’ll gain clarity on legal frameworks, donor programs, surrogate matching, clinic selection, risks, logistics and practical next steps. It’s an opportunity to meet respected providers, ask questions freely and connect with a community navigating similar decisions.
Direct Access to
Experts in the field
Hear directly from leading fertility specialists, lawyers, and agency representatives who have helped thousands of families.
Real Stories from Parents & Surrogates
Hear directly from people who’ve been through the exact journey you’re trying to start. Learn from their experience and improve yours.
Local & International
Options
Get clarity on whether an Australian or overseas program is best suited for you and understand the legalities of each.
Avoid Common (and Costly) Mistakes
Learn what works—and what doesn’t—so you can make informed decisions, avoid unnecessary setbacks, and ensure your journey is as cost-effective as possible.
Networking with
the Right People
Connect with professionals, surrogates, and like-minded intended parents who are on the same path—people who truly understand your challenges.
Personalised
Guidance
Get your most pressing questions answered in dedicated Q&A sessions and face-to-face discussions with experts.
Your Ticket Includes:
Morning and afternoon tea, lunch, and drinks throughout the day.
Private one-on-one consultations with select experts to discuss your specific situation.
Access to all speaker sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
Conference Commitee Members
This event is headed by trusted members of the surrogacy community, including:
- Elisa Ricordi
- Amy White
- Felicity Chew
- Adam Zuchetti
- Trudy Urquhart
- David Novella-Reilly
- Sheila Vijeyarasa
Surrogacy & Donor COnception Conference Agenda
09:35 AM –
09:50 AM
Overview Of Pathways to Parenthood
Outlines the differences between domestic and international donor and surrogacy, hybrid options; mindsets required; donor & surrogate availability, friends and family, meeting online vs. via agencies; information sources, timelines
Sam Everingham, Board member, Rainbow Families
09:50 AM –
10:20 AM
Key Preparatory Steps in Domestic Surrogac
Summarises the preparation required from matching, surro-dating, key topics to discuss as a team, legal & counselling requirements, timeframes, costs & budgeting; what you can and can’t cover with respect to re-imbursements, health and life insurance
10:20 AM –
10:45 AM
Coming To Terms with Donor IVF
What are the success rates of using your own eggs at a specific age? When is it time to consider a donor? A mum who struggled with the shame of failure, concerns about infant bonding, family attitudes and disclosure discuss available options, and an altruistic donor explains her expectations
The Basics of IVF & Egg Donor Processes
A leading reproductive endocrinologist walks you through the medical aspects of Donor IVF, surrogate screening, the IVF cycle process, embryo creation and selecting the best embryos for transfer.
10:45 AM –
11:05 AM
Getting the Most from IVF
Why does the US have the world’s best success rates for Donor IVF cycles? Discusses how to get the most from IVF cycles, genetic carrier screening, PGT-A testing, cycle monitoring, how money back programs work, and the advantages of working with independent clinics
Dr Minoos Hosseinzadeh (Fertility Institute of San Diego)
11:05 AM –
11:35 AM
MORNING TEA
11:35 AM –
12:00 PM
International Surrogacy – Selecting Where to Engage
What alternatives are available when local surrogacy or egg donation doesn’t work for you? Which countries are closed or inadvisable & why? What about donor anonymity? Which are available for unmarried couples or gay couples? What are the differences in timelines? How do surrogate match times differ? How do costs compare? Are there fixed-cost programs available? What about insurance? Discusses US, Canada, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Colombia & Mexico
Sam Everingham (Growing Families)
12:00 PM –
12:20 PM
Legal Issues for Surrogacy
What is the purpose of agreements, are they legally binding? What should be included in these. Timelines, costs, processes what issues do intended parents need to think about? How does the process differ for domestic vs international surrogacy. What will New Zealand’s new surrogacy rules look like? When will they come in?
12:20 PM –
01:00 PM
Australian Parent Panel
Parents who recently engaged in donor IVF or surrogacy in Australia or overseas share their journeys, egg donor options, embryo creation logistics, the ups and downs, what to expect and recommendations for those that follow.
01:00 PM –
01:20 PM
Hybrid Surrogacy Programs
Increasingly, for reasons of cost, convenience or availability, intended parents make embryos in one country (eg Canada or Australia) while their surrogate might live elsewhere (eg Colombia or Mexico). Experts in hybrid programs explain the process, the pros and cons.
Nir Keren, Babies Come True
01:20 PM –
02:00 PM
LUNCH & NETWORKING
02:00 PM –
02:30 PM
Interactive Q&A Breakout Sessions
02:30 PM –
03:10 PM
Domestic Surrogate Panel
Local surrogates discuss the importance of advocating for their needs, what they look for in intended parents, dos and donts in engaging with surrogates online, the ‘surro-dating’ process, the impact on their own families, expense re-imbursements, expected support during the process and ongoing relationship expectations. Covers traditional and gestational surrogacy journey types
03:10 PM –
03:30 PM
Looking After Your Surrogate, Your Donor & Yourself
What does the counselling process look like? How long does it take? Mental health, coming to terms with failed transfers and miscarriages; Preparing for post-partum issues with your surrogate.
03:30 PM –
03:45 PM
Support for Intended Parents
What support does Surrogacy Australia offer for those engaging in domestic donor IVF or surrogacy; What support does Growing Families offer for international journeys? Where to from here? Moderated online support groups, face-to-face and virtual peer support.
03:45 PM –
04:05 PM
The Impact on Families
Children of surrogates and kids born via surrogacy discuss the impact on their lives of surrogacy, relationships with half-siblings and surro-siblings.
04:05 PM
DRINKS & NETWORKING
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