Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson has welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of an Australian-first rebate for IVF or other assisted reproductive technology.

The $80 million expansion of the NSW Affordable IVF Initiative, announced as part of the 2022/23 Budget, will extend rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing and introduce a new $2,000 rebate for fertility treatment.

Mr Anderson said the cost of IVF treatment can compound the stress of trying to have a baby for those who have spent months or even years trying.

“There’s no bigger decision in life than the decision to have a baby and start a family,” Mr Anderson said.

“The stress and anxiety of trying for months without falling pregnant can be compounded for families when they’re met with the cost of accessing fertility testing and treatment.

“That’s why the NSW Government is stepping in to expand the NSW Affordable IVF Initiative, making IVF treatment more affordable for more families.”

The Affordable IVF Initiative will also increase the number of IVF treatment places in publicly supported clinics and increase fertility preservation services for patients with a medical need.

Nationals Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said 16 per cent of all couples will face fertility issues and the NSW Government is committed to easing the financial burden families face as they embark on their journey to start or grow a family.

“Costs associated with fertility treatments can often be prohibitively expensive and this rebate is going to make a big difference to that,” Mrs Taylor said.

“I am incredibly proud of our continued commitment to making the road to parenthood smoother for anyone in NSW struggling with infertility.”

The extension and expansion to the NSW Affordable IVF initiative also includes:

• extending rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing
• expanding state-wide access to lower cost IVF treatment through publicly-supported clinics
• boosting fertility preservation services for patients with cancer and other medical needs
• providing up to five days’ paid fertility treatment leave for teachers, nurses and other public servants across NSW.

To be eligible for the $2,000 rebate you must:

• be a resident of NSW
• have incurred an out-of-pocket cost from a registered private provider
• have accessed the treatment from 1 October 2022.

More information on how to submit an application form for the rebate is available here: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-the-fertility-treatment-rebate