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

from Hack · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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 specialistAlisha Burns, founder of The Solo Mum SocietyGet the whole story from hack:Follow us on Instagram and TikTokSubscribe to the hack podcastListen on the triple j app or on your radio live every weeknight at 5:30pm

What this episode covers

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

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

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This episode was published on April 17, 2026.

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