Becoming Donor Ready

At Eeve Donor Bank, we understand that selecting an egg donor is a meaningful step in your fertility journey. Whether you’re just starting to explore your options or you’re ready to take the next step, we’re here to make the process as seamless and supportive as possible.

This guide outlines what it means to be ‘Donor Ready’, which means you’re ready to submit your donor reservation to our Donor Team. This will cover what you’ll need to do and how to reserve your selected donor through our platform.

What You Need to Know Before Reserving

State-Specific Donor Access

Due to differing state legislation, donor eggs cannot be transported interstate from the location listed on their profile. Please ensure that you reserve a donor located within your state of treatment.

Genetic Testing Requirements

If you select a donor who is a known carrier of a genetic condition, you’ll need to complete Extended Carrier Screening before making a reservation. Alternatively, you can discuss the risks with your fertility specialists and sign a waiver confirming you understand the risks of proceeding without genetic testing. Please speak with your fertility specialist to arrange this test or explore the option of the waiver.

Cycle Type Eligibility

Donors are available for fresh or frozen cycles. Please ensure your donor selection aligns with your treatment requirements noted by your fertility specialist in your treatment plan.

timeframes FOR RESERVING DONOR EGGS

Before you can reserve a donor through Eeve, your fertility specialist and nursing team will support you through the required Donor Ready steps outlined below. On average, becoming donor ready takes approximately 4 to 6 weeks, though this can vary depending on individual circumstances.

Once you have identified a donor, several additional steps may be required before your reservation can be confirmed. For international donor eggs, the overall timeframe from donor selection to eggs arriving at your clinic is typically 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases may extend to 6 to 8 weeks or longer. This is due to multiple coordination and compliance steps. For local donor eggs, timelines are generally shorter and coordinated directly through the City Fertility laboratory and transport teams. We typically recommend allowing approximately 3 weeks from reservation approval to eggs arriving at your clinic. For more information, read our FAQs below.

SELECTING DIRECTLY FROM INTERNATIONAL DONOR BANKS

The process of receiving donor eggs will take longer if you are selecting a donor directly from an international donor bank rather than through Eeve. This is due to the additional compliance and regulatory checks that must be completed before donor eggs can be approved for import into Australia. Donors available through Eeve have already completed these compliance requirements, which can help reduce delays and support a smoother coordination process.

Steps to Becoming Donor Ready

Before you are ready to reserve a donor through Eeve, your fertility specialist and nursing team must support you through the following ‘Donor Ready’ workup steps:

Attend Your Fertility Specialist Consultation: Book an appointment with a fertility specialist at City Fertility or Rainbow Fertility and attend your initial consultation.
Obtain a Current Treatment Plan: Your specialist will provide a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific medical and fertility needs.
Attend Two Counselling Sessions: This will allow you to explore the implications of using donor eggs, including future considerations for you and your family.
Complete Your Pathology Screenings: You’ll need to undergo standard pathology tests to ensure it’s safe to proceed with treatment.
Undertake Extended Carrier Screening (ECS):If required, complete this genetic testing and ensure your results are uploaded to your patient file. Alternatively, if you elect not to complete ECS, please confirm you have signed the required waiver with your fertility specialist and it has been uploaded to your patient file.
Complete Your Semen Assessment (if partnered): If your partner is providing sperm, they will need to complete a semen analysis to assess quality and determine suitability for treatment.
Confirm Superannuation Release (if applicable): If using superannuation for payment, ensure approval has been finalised before reserving your donor.

Once the above steps have been completed, confirm you are ‘Donor Ready’ with your nursing team prior to reserving your donor eggs.

Download Our PDF Checklist

Reserving Your Donor Once You’re Donor Ready

Once you are declared ‘Donor Ready’ by your clinic team, you can now complete the following steps to officially preference and reserve your ideal donor:

Create an account on Eeve using the same email you registered with City Fertility or Rainbow Fertility
Add at least one donor to your matches by swiping right or left, or by clicking the star icon on the donor’s profile.
Go to your Matches tab and submit a reservation request for your shortlisted donor.
Accept the reservation terms and conditions, then enter the verification code sent to your email (please check your spam folder).

Once your request has been submitted, the Central Donor Team will email you within 5 business days with your outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to reserve donor eggs?

The process of reserving donor eggs can take some time due to the clinical, legal, and counselling requirements involved. These steps are in place to ensure your treatment is safe, well-coordinated, and aligned with your individual circumstances.

Donor Ready Requirements

Attend Your Fertility Specialist Consultation: Book an appointment with a fertility specialist at City Fertility, Fertility Specialists of WA, or Rainbow Fertility and attend your initial consultation.
Obtain a Current Treatment Plan: Your specialist will provide a personalised treatment plan tailored to your specific medical and fertility needs.
Attend Two Counselling Sessions: Counselling is required for treatment and must be specific to the use of unknown donor eggs.
Complete Your Pathology Screenings: You’ll need to undergo standard pathology tests to ensure it’s safe to proceed with treatment.
Undertake Extended Carrier Screening (ECS): If you select a donor with positive carrier screening, you must complete ECS and ensure your results are uploaded to your patient file before you submit your donor request. Alternatively, if you elect not to complete ECS, please confirm you have signed the required waiver with your fertility specialist, and it has been uploaded to your patient file.
Complete Your Semen Assessment (if partnered): If your partner is providing sperm, they will need to complete a semen analysis to assess quality and determine suitability for treatment.
Confirm Superannuation Release (if applicable): If using superannuation for payment, please ensure your approval has been finalised before reserving your donor.

What Happens After You Select A Donor?

Once you have identified a donor, several additional steps may be required before your reservation can be confirmed.

For international donor eggs, the overall timeframe from donor selection to eggs arriving at your clinic is typically 4 to 6 weeks, but in some cases may extend to 6 to 8 weeks or longer. This is due to multiple coordination and compliance steps, including:

Confirmation of donor availability with the international egg bank
Completion of patient consents and payment
Referral to genetic services
Genetic counselling appointments, if required
Additional information requests from the donor bank, if required
Monthly shipping cut-off dates set by international donor banks
Travel time to Australia once shipped

In some cases, genetic counselling outcomes or timing constraints may lead patients to consider an alternative donor, which can restart parts of this process.

For local donor eggs, timelines are generally shorter and coordinated directly through City Fertility laboratory and transport teams. We typically recommend allowing approximately 3 weeks from the date of reservation approval to the arrival of the eggs at your clinic.

Important note on international donor selection

Please note that this process may take longer if you are selecting a donor directly from an international donor bank rather than through Eeve. This is due to the additional compliance and regulatory checks that must be completed before donor eggs can be approved for import into Australia.

Donors available through Eeve have already completed these compliance requirements, which can help reduce delays and support a smoother coordination process.

How many eggs/donors can I reserve?

You can reserve one group of eggs (called a “cohort”) from a single donor at a time. The number of eggs in each group can vary depending on the donor.

When will my donor eggs arrive at my clinic?

Once your donor reservation has been submitted and approved, the timeframe for your donor eggs to arrive at your clinic will depend on whether your donor is local or international.

International donor eggs
Shipping timelines are set by the international donor bank you have chosen. We recommend allowing up to 4 weeks for your eggs to arrive at your clinic.
Local donor eggs
Shipping is coordinated by City Fertility Laboratory and Transport teams. We recommend allowing approximately 3 weeks for your cohort to arrive at your clinic.

What's the difference between overseas and local donors?

Overseas donor cohorts are available to import to QLD, NSW, WA, and VIC. These gametes are from our partner international donor banks. International donor cohorts are subject to the International Donor Bank’s Terms and Conditions.

Local donors are offered through our Egg Donors Australia recruitment program. These donors are available to reserve only through Eeve and are managed in-house by our EEVE team.

Got questions?

Our team will be with you every step of the way, simply get in touch by emailing us at contact@eevedonorbank.com.au.

Becoming ‘Donor Ready’ to Reserve Your Donor