The Andrews Labor Government is giving more Victorians the chance to start the family they dream of – with access to donor sperm and eggs through Australia’s first ever public egg and sperm bank.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Acting Minister for Health Gabrielle Williams today visited the bank at the Royal Women’s Hospital, which opened this week and is now accepting egg and sperm donations from the Victorian community.

Featuring state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and staffed with highly qualified fertility experts, the egg and sperm bank is the first of its kind in Australia.

The service is currently focused on recruiting donors to grow the bank’s stocks. Eligible Victorians seeking to access Victoria’s public fertility care service – including the use of donated eggs or sperm – will need to be referred by their GP or specialist.

The bank will accept altruistic donations from Victorians who meet certain criteria and want to give someone the chance at starting a family.

It forms part of the Labor Government’s landmark initiative to establish a public fertility service – making it fairer, easier and more accessible for hopeful parents to start a family of their own.

The initiative is making the joy of starting a family a reality for single parents, couples with fertility challenges and LGBTIQ+ families – as well as supporting Victorians currently undergoing treatment for medical conditions that compromise fertility, like cancer, to freeze their eggs or sperm.

In addition to the egg and sperm bank, the delivery of Victoria’s public fertility services is being co-led by the Royal Women’s Hospital and Monash Health, offering a range of services including IVF treatments, fertility consultations, diagnostic tests and procedures, ultrasounds, counselling, information and support.

A number of satellite fertility services are also being established across the state to help people access fertility care closer to home.

Once fully operational, this almost $120 million program will help up to 5,000 Victorians every year to start a family – helping them save up to $10,000 and since launching in October last year, more than 550 Victorians have commenced their IVF journey.

People interested in helping Victorians start their family can visit thewomens.org.au/egg-and-sperm-donate