IVF cash rebate eligibility criteria revealed as scheme opens Oct 1
NSW women looking at IVF and other assistive reproductive treatments can now access a rebate of up to $2000 from today — regardless of their income or age.
NSW
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Women seeking IVF or other assisted reproductive treatments will be able to obtain a cash rebate of up to $2000 for procedures accessed from today, regardless of income or age.
However, only women who reside in NSW and use a private clinic will be able to make a claim, with the rebate not available to those using publicly-supported lower cost IVF treatments.
The rebate will also not be available for women simply wanting to preserve their fertility be freezing their eggs.
While the NSW government has not set an age limit, individual fertility clinics will still have the discretion as to who will be able to access treatment.
As revealed by The Sunday Telegraph in May, the government is giving women undergoing IVF and accessing other assisted reproductive treatments (ART) a cash rebate to reduce costs in response to the growing demand for treatments.
The latest figures show around one in 20 births in Australia involve some form of assisted reproductive treatment and one in six couples experience fertility issues.
About 12,000 women using private fertility clinics are expected to benefit from the rebate, with another 6180 to be given access to publicly supported IVF treatment.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the rebate was part of an $80m package designed to ease the cost impost on women wanting to start or expand their families.
“This funding will mean more women won’t have to choose between looking after their household budget and starting a family,” he said.
While the rebate scheme only opens on January 1 next year, women will be able to make a claim on treatments accessed from today.
Women will be able to make multiple claims for treatments up to a total value of $2000 per person.
Monash IVF, a leading fertility research and treatment centre with clinics in NSW, Victoria and Queensland, has recorded a surge in demand for IVF which has risen 23.5 per cent from 2019 to 2021.
Monash IVF Sydney CBD Medical Director Katrina Rowan, who specialises in complex cases, said: “With the cost of living increasing, this extra financial support from the government will be welcome news for those who need that assistance to start or expand their family.”
The Ponds resident Steph Dimos, 34, a patient of the Monash IVF Parramatta clinic, said any financial relief would be welcomed.
Ms Dimos and her partner George, 35, are trying for their third child via IVF after successfully conceiving a boy and girl after two full cycles for each child.
With each cycle costing $9000 before Medicare, and another $2000 for each embryo transfer, the couple cut down on “luxuries” such as travel or going to the movies to pay for the treatments.
However, Ms Dimos – a Commonwealth Bank executive – said she had friends and acquaintances whose financial circumstances prevented them from being able to afford a complete cycle.
“Medicare helps as much as it can but it is still very expensive,” she said.
“We had two full cycles for each child.
“My husband and I are in a financial position where we can afford it, but I know friends who have had to stop.”
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