How Much Does IVF Cost in Australia: Your Complete Guide
The first baby conceived via IVF was born almost 50 years ago, in 1978. Since then, in vitro fertilisation has skyrocketed in popularity, bringing the joy of parenthood to thousands of couples who might otherwise have been unable to conceive.
In 2024 alone, over 20,000 births resulted from IVF in Australia.
While IVF has been a boon to those struggling with infertility, cost is a significant factor for most, and while the cumulative success rate of IVF means that multiple rounds lend a higher chance of pregnancy, the reality is that each of those rounds comes with a price tag.
For that reason, it’s worth knowing—how costly is IVF?
As a leading Sydney IVF clinic, Minerva Fertility is proud to create new families every day. With a higher-than-industry-standard success rate, our leading embryologists aim to be transparent about the costs for IVF treatment so you can make a plan that works for you.
In this article, we’ll talk about the cost of IVF in Australia—where this price comes from, what factors impact the bill, and what your financing options are.
What is IVF and why is it so expensive?
IVF is a medical intervention whereby an egg is fertilised by sperm outside the body, often in a test tube.
The embryo is cultured for several days and then transferred into the uterus in order to establish pregnancy.
While this method doesn’t guarantee pregnancy, and there are host of medical issues that may still interfere with a successful birth, IVF has been a hugely effective solution for the estimated 48 million couples worldwide who struggle with infertility.
The relatively high cost of IVF is related to the need for a team of fertility specialists, including fertility doctors, nurses, and embryologists, and the use of state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment.
Additionally, the Australian IVF industry is dominated by the private sector, which can incur higher fees.
It’s also a mistake to think that IVF refers solely to the incubation of an embryo in a test tube—there is a significant amount of work that is done either side of this step to increase the chances of successful egg collection, fertilisation, and implantation.
There are a number of tests, medications, and monitoring that are undergone throughout IVF, and all of these aspects contribute to the overall cost of IVF.
Average cost of IVF in Australia in 2025
| IVF Component | Average Cost (AUD) | Notes / Medicare Rebate |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Consultation & Fertility Assessment | $200 – $500 | Rebates may apply for GP referral or specialist consultations |
| Standard IVF Cycle (includes egg retrieval, fertilisation, embryo transfer) | $9,000 – $12,000 | Costs vary by clinic; excludes medications |
| Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) | $3,000 – $5,000 | Usually lower than a full IVF cycle |
| Medication / Hormonal Therapy | $2,500 – $5,000 | Cost depends on protocols, almost fully covered by Medicare except if treatments are for non-medical reasons |
| ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) | $1,500 – $3,000 | Often used if male factor infertility is present |
| PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing) | $4,000 – $6,000 | Optional; Medicare does not cover this |
| Donor Egg IVF Cost | $10,000 – $15,000+ | Varies depending on donor costs and legal requirements |
| Total Cost per Cycle (with meds, standard IVF) | $11,500 – $17,000 | Can be lower with partial Medicare rebates |
What’s included in IVF costs in Australia
The average IVF cost in Sydney covers :
Consultations and assessments with fertility specialists, as well as tests, and blood work to assess your fertility and develop a treatment plan.
Ovarian stimulation to produce multiple eggs, along with the monitoring required, which might mean blood tests and ultrasounds.
Egg retrieval, performed under light sedation.
Embryo culture and fertilisation—this is the process of fertilising the eggs with sperm and growing the embryos in a lab for a few days before transfer.
Embryo transfer into the uterus.
Follow-up care, including monitoring and pregnancy tests to confirm the success of the procedure.
Factors that affect IVF cost
Several factors contribute to IVF treatment costs.
The cost is impacted by your location, as clinics in larger cities or with higher success rates might charge more.
Premium clinics may also offer additional services like higher-quality lab facilities or more personalised care, which can increase costs, but might be necessary in some cases.
If additional procedures such as ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection), PGT (Preimplantation Genetic Testing), or egg/sperm freezing are required, then this will also impact your final bill.
IVF with donor sperm costs more in Australia, which should be taken into account if you know this is a service you will need.
Finally, each additional cycle of IVF will increase the cost.
The cumulative costs of multiple cycles should be considered when budgeting for IVF, as no one can guarantee pregnancy on the first cycle.
Insurance coverage and financing options to cover IVF cost Australia
In Australia, Medicare covers a portion of IVF costs, including consultations, medication, egg retrieval, and embryo transfer, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses.
Additionally, many private health insurance plans offer coverage for hospital stays.
If you find that insurance doesn’t cover IVF costs, there are still other ways to finance your treatment.
Many IVF clinics offer payment plans, allowing you to spread out the costs over time. Some clinics even offer zero-interest payment plans or financing partnerships with third-party lenders to help cover upfront expenses.
Additionally, there are options like personal loans or medical credit cards, which provide access to funds that can be repaid over time with low or no interest.
Ways to save money on IVF
There are several ways you can reduce costs without compromising on quality of care.
You might consider choosing bulk-billing, low-cost IVF clinics or clinics that offer affordable payment plans.
Additionally, many fertility clinics now offer flexible payment options to ease the financial burden of IVF treatments.
You might also want to explore options like embryo freezing for future use.
Freezing extra embryos after a successful cycle can save you money on IVF treatments down the line, as it allows you to use your frozen embryos for future attempts without the need for a full IVF cycle.
Finally, make sure to compare different IVF clinics in your area.
IVF costs can vary from clinic to clinic, and some may offer special deals or packages.
Be sure to inquire about all costs upfront, including any additional fees to avoid unexpected expenses.
How Minerva Fertility can help
Minerva Fertility is a world-class fertility clinic featuring a state-of-the-art IVF laboratory located in Bond Day Hospital, Bella Vista.
Led by Dr Antony Lighten, who has over 30 years of experience in treating patients with a broad range of complex fertility problems, Minerva Fertility is dedicated to providing the highest quality of care.
Dr Lighten has navigated his own fertility journey and welcomed his child in 2019.
This deeply personal experience reshaped his perspective and inspired him to create a comprehensive fertility care ecosystem at Minerva Fertility.
Dr. Greg Jenkins is highly experienced, serving as both a Fertility Specialist and an Obstetrician. He manages patients throughout their journey, all the way to the delivery of their baby
For more information and to learn how we can help you, please email the Minerva Fertility IVF Nurses at nurse@minervafertility.com.au
