‘Cruel and distressing’: Thousands impacted by IVF rebate cut

An Australian-first scheme to help boost fertility rates and support couples who wish to start a family will be scaled back in a matter of months, putting the chance of parenthood at risk for thousands of NSW residents. The Fertility Treatment Rebate, the first of its kind, was introduced by the Coalition in January 2023, providing more than 14,000 women in NSW with a one-off $2000 cash payment for IVF treatment. In June, the NSW government announced it would be making changes to the rebate scheme, doubling its funding for fertility support for low and middle-income earners from $24m to $56.6m and scaling back eligibility for the one-off rebate. Applicants will now only be eligible if they have Family Tax Benefit or hold a Health Care Card or collectively earn less than $116,000 per year. “That’s the equivalent of $58,000 per person – about $25,000 less than the starting salary of a teacher,” Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said. The move has been slammed by the opposition, which argued cutting eligibility would harm families who are struggling with fertility amid a cost-of-living crisis. “This is a cruel, distressing blow for the thousands of women and their partners who were relying on this subsidy to support their dreams of having a family,” Mr Speakman said. In NSW, one in seven couples face fertility issues, with one in 16 children conceived and born through IVF A single round of IVF can cost up anywhere from $6000 to $12,000, depending on the treatment required and the individual’s type of insurance coverage. Opposition health spokeswoman Kellie Sloane blasted 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 to have a baby,” she said. National fertility clinic Adora Fertility said the changes add “just another hurdle for those trying to make their dreams of becoming parents a reality”. “Our goal is to give every Australian the option to access affordable fertility treatments,” chief executive Vanessa Ferguson said. “With the minimum wage in Australia just under $50k a year, eligibility for the rebate will be restricted to low and middle-income earners and as we know infertility can affect anyone.” In addition to the changes in eligibility, the NSW government announced it would more than double the funding for the Fertility Treatment Rebate. According to NSW Health Minister John Park, the initial $24m in funding for the fertility treatment was increased after the “previous government … ran out of funds after being oversubscribed within less than the planned four years”. “This is already an incredibly challenging and costly experience for these families, so the rebate will help to take some of the financial burden away from eligible recipients,” Mr Park said. “The NSW government’s $52.2m investment in fertility support is part of the NSW government’s $130.9m Family Start Package which aims to help families across NSW with cost-of-living pressures. “The NSW government is committed to easing cost-of-living pressures by helping low-to-middle income people who are trying to start or grow their families. “This is already an incredibly challenging and costly experience for these families, so the rebate will help to take some of the financial burden away from eligible recipients. “By introducing an income eligibility test, it ensures the rebate can continue and goes to those families who are most in need of financial support.” Mr Park confirmed the NSW government would continue monitoring the rebate’s uptake.