Fifty babies have been born through Victoria’s free public fertility service during its first two years.
More than 4300 Victorians have started their treatment journey since the service started in October 2022.
More than 20 percent of people accessing the service speak a language other than English at home and more than 600 come from regional and rural areas.
“Our landmark service has already helped to create 50 new families and save Victorians around $15,000,000 – but we can help more prospective parents and encourage people to talk to their GP or specialist about a referral,” Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said.
This call-out is specifically focused on people who will benefit most from the public service, including those with financial barriers to accessing private services, those living in rural and regional areas, multicultural and multifaith communities, LGBTIQA+ Victorians, and those undergoing medical treatment impacting fertility.
“Welcoming a new baby into the world is an incredible experience, but for some Victorians this journey isn’t always straightforward,” Ms Thomas said.
Patients can access a range of free treatments including in vitro fertilisation, intrauterine insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, and fertility preservation like egg freezing.
Satellite sites have opened in Epping, Clayton, Sunshine, Heidelberg, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton, and Warrnambool, delivered in partnership with the Royal Women’s Hospital, to ensure more people can access fertility care closer to home.
These services are also supported by Australia’s first public egg and sperm bank, which opened at the Royal Women’s Hospital in July 2023.
Victorians are encouraged to make altruistic donations to give someone the chance to start or grow their family.
Visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/services-support/public-fertility-care-services for more information.
