More than 150 little bundles of joy have been welcomed into the world thanks to the Allan Labor Government's Australian-first, free public fertility program - giving more Victorians the chance to start the family they want.
Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas today visited the Royal Women's Hospital to mark the milestone and thank the service's dedicated fertility care specialists who are making the dreams of parents-to-be come true.
The landmark service 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 fertilization and insemination, as well as fertility preservation like egg freezing for people undergoing medical treatments that may compromise their fertility.
Since beginning in 2022, almost 5,000 Victorians have commenced their treatment journey, including more than 780 from regional and rural areas, and more than 1,100 via the program's satellite sites.
Delivered in partnership with the Royal Women's Hospital, the satellite sites are ensuring more people can access fertility care closer to home, helping hopeful parents cut down on 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 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.
The 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.
Victorians looking to start their fertility journey should speak with their GP or specialist, as the service has capacity to help even more people start their family.
This includes 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.
More information visit betterhealth.vic.gov.au/services-support/public-fertility-care-services.
As stated by Minister for Health Mary-Anne Thomas
"There is no feeling like holding your newborn for the first time and to know that our public fertility service has given the parents of more than 150 babies that experience is just incredible."
"We're making it cheaper, fairer and easier for more people to start or grow their families, because we know that for some Victorians this journey isn't always an easy one."
