❓ Question on Notice regarding surrogacy reimbursements in WA, seeking data on average costs, expense breakdowns, highest amounts, investigations, monitoring, referrals, and penalties for commercial surrogacy breaches. The answer states this data is not reported to the Department of Health and determination of a commercial arrangement would be for the Family Court of Western Australia to consider.
AnsweredQoN 710Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the definition of "reasonable expenses" under the Surrogacy Act 2008 and reports that reimbursements can effectively constitute commercial payments, and I ask: (a) what is the average total reimbursement paid to surrogates in Western Australia (WA) for each year from 2020-21 to 2024-25; (b) what is the breakdown of "reasonable expenses" typically claimed, including: (i) lost earnings payments; (ii) travel and accommodation costs; (iii) insurance premium increases; (iv) medical expenses not covered by Medicare; and (v) counselling and legal advice costs; (c) what is the highest single reimbursement amount approved for a surrogate in WA; (d) how many surrogacy arrangements have been investigated for potentially breaching commercial surrogacy prohibitions; (e) what monitoring exists to ensure reimbursements do not constitute payment for reward; (f) how many referrals have been made to law enforcement regarding suspected commercial surrogacy arrangements; and (g) what penalties have been imposed for commercial surrogacy breaches?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
18 November 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health
Response time
8 days
(a-g)
The reimbursements paid to surrogates is not reported to the Department of Health and determination of a commercial arrangement would be for the Family Court of Western Australia to consider.
The reimbursements paid to surrogates is not reported to the Department of Health and determination of a commercial arrangement would be for the Family Court of Western Australia to consider.
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