Why women in NSW are rushing to get IVF treatment now

IVF providers say they are seeing a surge in women seeking and finalising fertility treatments before the state government scales back its Australia-first rebate next month.

The Minns government announced late last year it would restrict the IVF subsidy to couples earning less than $116,000, Family Tax Benefit recipients and those with a Health Care Card.

Ashleigh Pearsall, here with husband Damon Baptiste and son Charlie, says the IVF rebate could be the difference between how many rounds of the treatment families can afford. Credit: Kate Geraghty

The announcement has led to a surge in women and families seeking treatments at some providers before they lose the $2000 payment.

One provider, IVF Australia, recorded a 43 per cent increase in inquiries in December 2024 compared with December 2023.

Its medical director, Dr Frank Quinn, said he was concerned the rebate changes were affecting women’s decisions about when to have treatment.

The new means test will apply to treatments commenced after February 19. Applications under the old criteria must be submitted by March 4.

“If their cycles are irregular, they may miss out … Other people will miss out because they have to have some other surgery first, such as for endometriosis,” Quinn said.

Another provider, Connect IVF, is processing triple its usual number of confirmation of treatment documents as patients rush to file claims with Service NSW before the eligibility changes.

Connect IVF chief executive Brendan Ayres said there was “urgency for continued support” as many patients, often paying more than $5000 after Medicare for a single round of IVF, relied on the rebate.

The former Coalition government established the IVF subsidy in 2023, budgeting $24 million – or 12,000 rebates – over four years. NSW Labor has committed $52.2 million over four years for its revised rebate.

Junior doctor Ashleigh Pearsall and her husband Damon, an electrician, had been trying to conceive for 18 months. After several treatments and a miscarriage, they were directed to try IVF.

It took three rounds of IVF and what the 32-year-old estimates was “well over $20,000” in appointments, tests, treatments and other costs before they welcomed their son Charlie, now aged three.

Hoping to give Charlie a sibling, the family started IVF again in November, receiving the rebate.

Pearsall admits $2000 is only a fraction of the out-of-pocket costs, “but it could be the difference between someone doing one round or doing multiple rounds, and most people need to do multiple rounds”.

“People don’t realise how much time IVF takes out of your day. That $2000 could even subsidise someone’s income if they don’t have special leave to go to appointments, do tests.”

Junior doctor Ashleigh Pearsall spent more than $20,000 on IVF before giving birth to her son, Charlie.Credit: Kate Geraghty

Pearsall will soon begin another round of IVF. She said it was disappointing for the rebate to be scaled back amid concerns about Australia’s falling birth rate.

“It sends a message that’s, like, if you can’t do it yourself, too bad. If you need medical assistance to get pregnant, that’s on you.”

Health Minister Ryan Park said his government supported access to affordable fertility treatment through the rebate and funding lower-cost IVF clinics, noting the previous rebate scheme “ran out of money within two years”.

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