NSW couples would be able to advertise for surrogates, and have legal parentage of any child born from a surrogacy arrangement transferred to them more quickly, under law changes being considered by the Attorney-General.

The Department of Justice is reviewing the NSW Surrogacy Act 2010. Attorney-General Gabrielle Upton is determined to improve the act, and told Fairfax Media the review was particularly considering "potential reform around time limits for applying for a parentage order and the advertising of altruistic surrogacy arrangements".

Surrogate mother Katrina with her daughter Isabelle. Credit:Fiona Hamilton

Under current laws, altruistic surrogacy is the only kind permitted in Australia. Surrogates can't be paid for carrying a baby, and commissioning parents aren't allowed to advertise for a surrogate.

The intended parents of a child born through surrogacy can apply to the NSW Supreme Court for a parentage order 30 days after the child is born. A parentage order grants them full parenting rights and their names go on the child's birth certificate.