A Catholic women's group has used a photoshopped image of battery hens in an effort to liken commercial surrogacy to factory farming, as part of its submission to a federal government inquiry.

The Catholic Women's League of Victoria and Wagga Wagga argues that both commercial and altruistic surrogacy arrangements are a form of violence against women and quotes research linking the practice to prostitution.

Commercial surrogacy is illegal in Australia. Credit:Getty Images

In its submission to the parliamentary inquiry into surrogacy, the religious group also said legalising surrogacy in Australia would result in another "stolen generation".

"Governments do not owe children to people and people do not have the right to demand this of any government," it said.