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Laws allowing altruistic surrogacy in the Northern Territory have come into force, bringing it into line with other Australian states and territories.
The legislation establishes a statutory framework to regulate surrogacy in the Northern Territory for the first time and explicitly outlaws commercial arrangements.
It provides a pathway for the transfer of parentage of a child under statutory safeguards.
Altruistic surrogacy involves a woman agreeing to have a child for another person for no financial benefit or reward.
However, under the NT laws, surrogates can be reimbursed for reasonable expenses associated with the pregnancy and giving birth, including any medical bills.
"We know not all families can follow the same path towards parenthood but from this week they will have another option through surrogacy," Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said.
"This legislation, for the very first time, provides legal clarity for Territorians entering into a surrogacy arrangement and ensures that a child born of such an arrangement has the same legal status and rights as any other child."
Ms Fyles said the new laws also meant people would no longer need to leave the Territory to access surrogacy in other Australian jurisdictions or overseas.
