- Published:
- Monday 21 October 2024
The Allan Labor Government is celebrating two years of free public fertility care in Victoria – welcoming 50 babies into the world and giving more Victorians the chance to start the family they want.
Since the landmark service began in 2022, more than 4,300 Victorians have commenced their treatment journey, including more than 600 from regional and rural areas.
Victoria’s public fertility service is also improving access for multicultural communities with more than 20 per cent of people accessing the service speaking a language other than English at home.
As it enters its third year, Victorians looking to start their fertility journey should speak with their GP or specialist, as the service has capacity to help more Victorians start their family.
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, rural and regional Victorians, multicultural and multifaith communities and LGBTIQA+ Victorians, and those undergoing medical treatment impacting fertility.
The Labor Government’s $120 million program is making fertility care more equitable and affordable – helping Victorian families save up to $10,000 to start or grow their family.
Patients can access a range of free treatments including in vitro fertilisation, intrauterine insemination or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection, as well as fertility preservation like egg freezing for people undergoing medical treatment for illnesses that may compromise their fertility.
Delivered in partnership with the Royal Women’s Hospital, a number of satellite sites have also opened across the state, including in regional Victoria – ensuring more people can access fertility care closer to home and helping hopeful parents cut down on unnecessary travel time and other indirect expenses.
Satellite clinic locations include Epping, Clayton, Sunshine, Heidelberg, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton, and Warrnambool.
These services are also supported by Australia’s first public egg and sperm bank – opening in July 2023 and located at the Royal Women’s Hospital, it is providing crucial donor services for Public Fertility Care patients.
Featuring state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and staffed with highly qualified fertility experts, altruistic donations are encouraged from Victorians who want to give someone the chance to start or grow their family.
More information visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/services-support/public-fertility-care-services.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
“Welcoming a new baby into the world is an incredible experience, but for some Victorians this journey isn’t always straight forward – that is why we making it fairer and easier for more people to start or grow their families.”
“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.”