澳大利亚的代孕制度存在多重法律缺陷。[1]澳大利亚法律改革委员会正对现行代孕法律进行审查，原定7月29日的截止日期已延期至9月11日，提交的建议可能包括允许代孕者获得补偿、建立国家监管机构和简化法律程序等改革方案。[1]
代孕在澳大利亚呈上升趋势，但跨境代孕风险突出。[1]2020年约有75名儿童通过国内代孕出生，占总数的20%，而275名儿童通过海外代孕出生，占80%。[1]到2023-24年，通过海外代孕出生的儿童估计已增至361名。[1]根据2025年发表的数据，每年约有150例澳大利亚代孕案例。[1]
关于代孕补偿标准，研究人员建议代孕者补偿应约为"每周500澳元，假设大多数代孕者至少在怀孕期间的一部分时间保有工作，约为26,000澳元"。[1]与此同时，代孕问题在国际层面引发争议。[1]2024年意大利通过立法将代孕定为"普遍犯罪"。[1]教宗方济各在同年称代孕为"令人厌恶"和"对妇女和儿童尊严的严重侵犯"，呼吁全球禁止。[1]联合国特别报告员2025年报告指出，全球代孕市场预计到2033年将达到997.5亿美元。[1]
Australia's surrogacy system faces significant structural deficiencies that leave families navigating legal ambiguity, cross-border complications, and exploitation concerns.[1] The Australian Law Reform Commission is currently reviewing the nation's surrogacy legislation, with recommendations due by September 11,[1] potentially including measures to compensate surrogates, establish national regulatory oversight, and streamline legal procedures.[1]
The scale of surrogacy in Australia reflects growing reliance on international arrangements. In 2020, approximately 75 Australian children were born through domestic surrogacy, representing 20 percent of surrogacy births, while 275 were born through overseas surrogacy, accounting for 80 percent.[1] By 2023-24, the number of children born via international surrogacy had risen to an estimated 361.[1] Legal scholar Sarah Jefford noted in a 2025 article in the Law Society Journal that Australia sees roughly 150 surrogacy arrangements annually.[1] Jefford has proposed surrogate compensation of approximately "AUD 500 per week, assuming most surrogates retain employment for at least part of the pregnancy period, totaling around AUD 26,000."[1]
The debate over surrogacy extends beyond Australia's borders. A 2025 United Nations special rapporteur report projected the global surrogacy market could reach USD 99.75 billion by 2033.[1] Italy criminalized surrogacy in 2024, classifying it as a "universal crime,"[1] while Pope Francis denounced the practice in 2024 as "abhorrent" and "a serious violation of the dignity of women and children," calling for a global ban.[1]