Victoria's free public fertility care service has helped welcome 250 babies into the world - giving more Victorians the chance to start a family, thanks to the Allan Labor Government.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the Royal Women's Hospital to celebrate the milestone with staff and meet proud parents Sumitra and Rakesh, whose daughter Yashvia was born with the help of the program.
Since the landmark service began in 2022, more than 6,000 Victorians - including over 1,000 from regional and rural areas - have commenced their treatment journey through the $120 million program, which is making fertility care more equitable and affordable and helping families save up to $10,000 to start or grow their family.
Victoria's public fertility service is supporting those who often face the biggest barriers to accessing private services - including lower-income earners, multicultural and multifaith communities, LGBTIQA+ Victorians, single people, and those undergoing medical treatment that impacts fertility.
Patients can access a range of free treatments such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), 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 and 10 satellite sites across Victoria - including Epping, Clayton, Sunshine, Heidelberg, Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Mildura, Shepparton and Warrnambool - the program means Victorians can access fertility care closer to home while cutting down on unnecessary travel and expenses.
The service is also backed by Australia's first public egg and sperm bank, opened in 2023 at the Royal Women's Hospital - providing crucial donor services and encouraging donations from Victorians who want to give someone the chance to start or grow their family.
To help new parents get the best start, all first-time parents and carers - including those who have a baby through Public Fertility Care - receive a free baby bundle packed with locally sourced nursery essentials and health information.
Victorians can access the program via a referral from their GP or specialist, and eligible individuals are supported through their nearest partner site.
More information on the services offered through Public Fertility Care, as well as eligibility and access criteria, is available at: betterhealth.vic.gov.au/public-fertility-care-services.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"Every baby born through this program is a celebration of what equitable healthcare can achieve - giving more Victorians the chance to start or grow their family without the burden of financial barriers."
"Our landmark service has already helped create more than 250 new families and saved Victorians millions of dollars - and we're encouraging people to talk to their GP or specialist about a referral."
