Katherine Dawson, 35, a donor-conceived individual, is seeking biological half-siblings whose identities were previously not disclosed. An estimated 60,000 Australians are donor-conceived.
Ms. Dawson reported experiencing barriers to accessing information regarding her biological father and siblings. She stated that identifying biological family members assists in understanding personal genetic heritage. Her research has involved visiting clinics and utilizing ancestry DNA tests. So far, she has confirmed 53 half-siblings located in South Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and internationally. She estimates the total number of half-siblings could reach 700, including some who may be unaware of their donor conception.
Ms. Dawson is attempting to contact these individuals to relay information about an elevated family cancer risk.
South Australia's Donor Conception Register
Ms. Dawson is among 428 individuals listed on South Australia's Donor Conception Register, which commenced operation in February of last year. This register is Australia's first publicly accessible electronic system of its kind, operating in real-time with retrospective application.
The online platform enables adults conceived through donated sperm, egg, or embryo in South Australia, as well as parents of a donor-conceived person, to access information about their donor and siblings, including names, dates of birth, and gender. The register includes treatments conducted from the 1970s onward and donations made anonymously before September 2004.
As of December 2025, the register contained 428 profiles: 53 donors, 115 donor-conceived individuals, 153 donor-recipient parents, and 107 profiles for minors with protected personal information.
Robyn Lindsay, SA Health deputy chief executive for clinical system support and improvement, stated that the register facilitates the sharing of personal information, such as contact details or medical history. She clarified that SA Health does not oversee individuals' subsequent interactions.
Prior to 1988, medical professionals and clinics were not legally obligated to maintain records of donor conception treatments. Ms. Lindsay noted challenges in retrieving historical records due to clinic closures, record deterioration, and deliberate separation of donor and recipient information. SA Health is engaged in a process to verify records with the Births, Deaths and Marriages registry, a procedure that can take several months to ensure data integrity.
Family Medical Information
Ms. Dawson met her biological father in 2023 and ascertained that he had been a prolific donor across multiple Victorian clinics over at least six years during the 1980s, using various names. She intends to use the register to connect with more siblings in South Australia and inform them of the family's cancer risk, noting that some siblings could be in their 40s and should initiate cancer screenings from their mid-20s.
Calls for a National Register
Ms. Dawson advocates for the establishment of a national register to streamline access to genetic information for donor-conceived individuals, eliminating the need to navigate varied state and territory legislation.
Bec Kilday, 36, also donor-conceived, has conducted a multi-state search for her donor's identity. She was genetically linked to a Victorian donor whose sperm was sent interstate. Ms. Kilday reported an initial lack of response from the fertility clinic her parents utilized. She has identified 27 half-siblings and believes more exist. Ms. Kilday joined the SA register to gather more information for herself, her donor, and her Victorian-based siblings whose IVF procedures were not performed in South Australia.
Ms. Kilday stated that a national register would alleviate difficulties encountered when seeking information across state lines by consolidating data and reducing redundant processes.
Dr. Peter Subramaniam, president of the Australian Medical Association SA, supported a national framework, citing the mobility of the Australian population. He emphasized the benefits of comprehensive medical history for preventative treatments and screenings, while highlighting the necessity of data integrity and appropriate support and counseling for retrospective donors.
In September, a federal review of the assisted reproductive technology and IVF sector identified the absence of a national donor register and the risks associated with unregulated donations. The report noted that existing state and territory registers are independently managed and not interconnected, thereby compromising the ability of donor-conceived individuals to identify donors, siblings, or medical information.
The federal health department indicated that ministers have agreed to refer the matter to the Australian Law Reform Commission to explore options for harmonizing and modernizing relevant national legislation. The department stated that future opportunities to create more consistency in laws and regulations across jurisdictions regarding donations should be considered.