DEEP DIVE: Searching for sperm in a donor 'drought'

DEEP DIVE: Searching for sperm in a donor 'drought'

From Hack by triplej

April 17, 2026 · 15 min

About this episode

The episode explores Australia's sperm donor shortage and the risks of finding donors online.

Australia's 'sperm drought' is prompting people to look online to find a donor. Rather than spend years on a fertility clinic's waiting list, people are increasingly turning to social media and dating-style apps to find a match. But what are the risks of finding a donor online? How can you be sure of their health history (and how many times they're donating)? And, as more single women chose to solo-parent, does something need to change to make legitimate pathways more accessible? In this week's deep dive, we hear from the people donating and looking for sperm online, and find out what's driving Australia's donor shortage. Guests: Dr Lynn Burmeister, fertility specialist Alisha Burns, founder of The Solo Mum Society Get the whole story from hack: Follow us on Instagram and TikTok Subscribe to the hack podcast Listen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

People in this episode

Guests: Dr Lynn Burmeister, Alisha Burns

Topics covered

  • sperm donation
  • fertility
  • social media
  • donor shortage
  • solo parenting

Keywords

  • sperm drought
  • fertility clinic
  • health history
  • donor online
  • single women

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Solo Mum Society

Places: Australia

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