At least 30 Newcastle and Hunter-based couples would need donor sperm this year to fulfil their dream of having a baby, Hunter IVF medical director Andrew Hedges said.

But so far only one or two have donated their sperm.

An Australia-wide shortage of sperm donors has prompted Hunter IVF to establish the first newly created and certified sperm donor bank in NSW for many years.

"There is a desperate need for donor sperm in the Hunter," Dr Hedges said.

"Couples require donor sperm for a lot of reasons failure of the testicle or prior injury (meaning no sperm is produced) or to avoid passing on a genetic disorder, or because the man may have re-partnered after a vasectomy.

"Realistically to give people choice you probably need five, six or 10 donors."

Sperm donors need to be aged between 21 and 45, be able to provide a genetic family history, consent to the release of identifying information to offspring once they reach 18, be prepared to undertake blood tests and, ideally, have completed their own family.