Thousands more Victorians trying to start or grow their families would be able to access public fertility care under a re-elected Andrews Labor Government.
A re-elected Labor Government will invest an additional $13.6 million into our Australian-first public IVF service, to help further expand access for women and families, including more availability for Victorians living in regional areas.
The investment means up to 5,000 people each year will have access to the services once fully operational, providing up to 3,375 treatment cycles and delivering savings of up to $10,000 to eligible Victorians – easing some of the financial pressure during what is already a challenging experience for many.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the Royal Women’s Hospital, one of two lead service providers – along with Monash Health – which will partner with health services across Victoria to provide state-wide coverage for Victorians trying to start a family, beginning next week.
“IVF can be a game changer for people who might be struggling to have a child, but too often and for too many, it’s financially out of reach.”
Premier Daniel Andrews
The first two locations will provide both face-to-face and telehealth consultations to a small number of patients initially, before gradually expanding the service to support more Victorians over the next two years.
Satellite sites, which will offer important services such as initial consulations and pathology, are also being established in Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton, Geelong, Ballarat, Warrnambool, Epping, Sunshine and Heidelberg – with additional regional satellites to be announced in coming months.
The services will particularly help Victorians on a budget and people in regional areas to realise their dreams of starting or growing their family.
It will also help people who need access to donor or surrogacy services, and those who need fertility preservation due to medical treatment – such as cancer patients who, until now, haven’t been able to freeze their eggs or sperm.
Services will include IVF, fertility preservation, genetic testing, donor and surrogacy services – including Victoria’s first public sperm and egg bank – and a range of other treatments, counselling, information and support.
“Our Australian-first public fertility service will remove the cost barrier for thousands of eligible aspiring parents – and make it easier for them to start a family of their own.”
Premier Daniel Andrews
The phased rollout will ensure high-quality care for patients, guide how the program is implemented in future and allow sufficient time to build up the required workforce and infrastructure.
The additional investment is on top of the $70 million the Labor Government has already invested, including $20 million to improve public hospital facilities to deliver the service.
It comes on top of the Labor Government’s significant reforms to Victoria’s assisted reproductive treatment laws, increasing access across the system – so all Victorians have the opportunity to start a family.
