Why getting pregnant has just become harder for thousands of Australian women thanks to the NSW government

Parenthood will become more difficult for thousands of NSW residents as Australia’s first plan to help boost fertility rates is set to be scaled back within months.

The Fertility Treatment Rebate was introduced by the Coalition in January 2023 and has provided more than 14,000 women in NSW with a one-off cash payment of $2000 for IVF treatment.

The NSW Labor Government has now announced it will be widely restricting who is eligible for the rebate because it was costing them too much.

‘The previous government established the program in January 2023, just before the election campaign. The real tragedy is that they haven’t put any money into it,” said NSW Premier Chris Minns.

‘We looked at the scheme, we thought it was really worth it… but the number of people signing up for the scheme was far greater than what the government could afford.’

It will now be means tested and applicants will now only be eligible if they have a family tax benefit or healthcare card or collectively earn less than $116,000 per year.

“That’s the equivalent of $58,000 per person – about $25,000 less than a teacher’s starting salary,” said Opposition Leader Mark Speakman.

“This is a cruel, disturbing blow to the thousands of women and their partners who depended on this grant to realize their dreams of having a family,” Speakman said.

A single round of IVF can cost between $6,000 and $12,000, depending on the treatment required and the individual’s type of insurance coverage.

The treatment program had already provided more than 14,000 women with cash payments intended for IVF treatment

Opposition health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane slammed the amendment, saying it could have “potentially life-changing consequences for thousands of hopeful parents.”

“Chris Minns is now asking many women to make an impossible choice: pay the household bills or pursue their dream of having a baby,” she said.

National fertility clinic Adora Fertility said the changes are “just another hurdle for those trying to fulfill their dreams of becoming parents.”

“Our goal is to give every Australian the opportunity to access affordable fertility treatments,” said CEO Vanessa Ferguson. ‘With the minimum wage in Australia at just under $50,000 per year, eligibility for the rebate will be limited to those on low and middle incomes, and as we know, infertility can affect anyone.

In NSW, one in seven couples experience fertility problems, with one in sixteen children conceived and born through IVF

In addition to the eligibility changes, the NSW Government has announced it will more than double funding for the Fertility Treatment Rebate.

According to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, the initial $24 million funding for fertility treatment was increased after the “previous government… ran out of money after being oversubscribed in less than the planned four years”.

“This is already an incredibly challenging and costly experience for these families, so the rebate will help take some of the financial burden off eligible recipients,” Mr Park said.

‘The NSW Government’s $52.2 million investment in fertility support is part of the NSW Government’s $130.9 million Family Start Package, which aims to help families across NSW who are under pressure on the cost of living.

In June, the NSW government announced it would double its funding for fertility support for low and middle income earners and scale back eligibility for the one-off rebate.

‘The NSW Government is committed to relieving pressure on the cost of living by helping low to middle income people trying to start or grow a family.

“This is already an incredibly challenging and costly experience for these families, so the rebate will help take some of the financial burden off eligible recipients.”

“By introducing an income eligibility test, it ensures that the reduction can continue and that it goes to the families who need the financial support most.”

Mr Park confirmed the NSW Government would continue to monitor the application of the rebate.