IVF is a complex and costly procedure. The overall expense will vary based on your situation, as the medications needed can differ, however, in Australia, Medicare offers some support for IVF treatments.
How much does IVF cost at Flinders Fertility?
IVF is undoubtedly costly, but as a local independent clinic, Flinders Fertility strives to make our fees as affordable as possible.
At Flinders Fertility, the cost for patients with Medicare coverage ranges from $3,704 for a single IVF cycle to $4,356 if you need ICSI (such as in cases of male infertility)*. Remember that additional services, scans, and a frozen embryo transfer might be necessary after your initial cycle.
At Flinders Fertility, you will receive a customised treatment plan and quote, ensuring you know the costs upfront. Our friendly finance team, Mel and Julie, will discuss the costs with you helping you understand the breakdown and what Medicare covers, along with your final out-of-pocket expenses.
Please click here to view our IVF and ICSI fees and costs for other services available at Flinders Fertility.
Does Medicare cover IVF?
In Australia, Medicare offers some support for IVF treatments. The rebates cover part of the expenses related to consultations and certain tests and procedures associated with IVF. Here’s a summary of what Medicare covers if you are undergoing treatment at Flinders Fertility in Adelaide:
- Initial specialist consultation
- IVF treatment cycle (partially covered under specific MBS items)
- Egg retrieval (partially covered)
- Embryo transfer (partially covered)
Although Medicare reduces the cost, the out-of-pocket expenses remain substantial, so it might be beneficial to register for the Medicare Safety Net. You should also budget for additional costs like follow-up consultations, external blood tests, and external ultrasounds.
In contrast to NSW and VIC, which provide some state health subsidies or a public IVF option, SA does not have an equivalent system.
Why is IVF so expensive?
IVF can be a lengthy process and there are many appointments with our doctors and fertility nurses. In addition, laboratory costs are significant – staff, equipment, monitoring, medical gases and consumables take up a large proportion of the overheads in fertility treatment. Other costs associated with IVF come from:
Initial consultation - bulk billed at Flinders Fertility
Uniquely, Flinders Fertility doesn’t charge a gap fee and bulk-bills initial consults with our doctors here in Adelaide for first-time patients. In an initial consult, you will meet with a fertility doctor to discuss your medical history, the results of any previous tests, treatment options, and whether further tests are required. You’ll also meet with a fertility nurse to discuss all investigations, answer questions and plan your next steps.
Review appointment
At your review appointment, your clinician will discuss your results and together you will put your treatment plan in place. They will explain everything and run through consent. You may wish to speak to one of our finance team to talk through the quote. You will also see a fertility nurse to plan an appointment with them just before your treatment cycle commences.
Ovarian stimulation
You’ll have an appointment with one of our fertility nurses who will show you how to use the medication required for your cycle and explain the processes involved. This medication will stimulate your ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
Monitoring:
Throughout your cycle, you'll visit our nurses for blood tests and ultrasounds to track the ovaries' response to stimulation. You might need to attend up to four nurse appointments.
Egg collection
This is carried out under light anaesthesia by a Flinders Fertility doctor at Glenelg Day Surgery.
Sperm collection
Unless you are using donor sperm, the male partner will provide a sperm sample in a private room adjacent to our lab. Our embryologists will then prepare the sperm for the fertilisation process.
Fertilisation
Our embryologists assess the number of eggs collected and fertilise them either in a dish with a specialised media culture or via ICSI where a single sperm is injected into the egg.
Embryo culture
Our embryologists observe your embryos in our lab for six days and will contact you to update you on their development and identify which are ready for transfer. They will assess each embryo and select the most suitable one for transfer.
Embryo transfer
At our clinic, a Flinders Fertility specialist conducts the embryo transfer, assisted by a nurse and an embryologist.
Embryo freezing and storage
Any viable embryos that are not transferred are frozen in our on-site laboratory.
Pregnancy test
You can have a blood test at Flinders Fertility or choose to do it externally. If the test confirms pregnancy, you'll be scheduled for a scan at approximately 7-8 weeks to track your progress.
Counselling
We offer complimentary access to a qualified fertility counsellor and encourage you to seek support during your journey.
Private health insurance and other assistance
If you have private health insurance, it might cover a portion of your treatment. Flinders Fertility also offers discounted fees for concession card holders and payment plans to spread costs.
* Fees correct as of Jan 1 2025