Does Medicare Cover IVF in Australia? Full 2026 Guide
Yes, Medicare covers a significant portion of IVF treatment in Australia. Typical rebates total $3,000–$5,000 per cycle for egg collection, embryo transfer, specialist consultations, monitoring, and blood tests. There is no limit on the number of funded cycles. The Medicare Safety Net provides further reductions after $2,544.30 in annual out-of-pocket costs, making second and third cycles substantially cheaper.
What Medicare covers
Medicare provides rebates for medical services performed during an IVF cycle. The rebate is calculated as a percentage of the MBS (Medicare Benefits Schedule) fee, typically 85% for out-of-hospital services and 75% for in-hospital services. The “gap” is the difference between what your doctor charges and the Medicare rebate.
IVF-related Medicare services
| Service | MBS item | Schedule fee | Medicare rebate | Typical fee | Typical gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fertility specialist consultation | 104 | $90.65 | $77.05 | $250–$500 | $173–$423 |
| IVF cycle (with Medicare) | 13200 | Varies | Varies | $7,000–$15,000 | $3,000–$9,000 |
| Full blood count (FBC) | 65070 | $18.55 | $18.55 | Bulk-billed–$50 | $0–$31 |
| Thyroid function test | 66716 | $22.40 | $22.40 | Bulk-billed–$60 | $0–$38 |
| Hormone panel (female) | 66695 | $28.75 | $28.75 | Bulk-billed–$120 | $0–$91 |
Gap = out-of-pocket cost after Medicare rebate. Actual fees and gaps vary by clinic and specialist. Schedule fees and rebates from MBS Online (April 2026).
Key point: Medicare rebates are automatic. Your fertility clinic submits claims on your behalf in most cases. There is no limit on the number of IVF cycles eligible for Medicare rebates. Each cycle attracts the same rebates regardless of how many cycles you have done.
What Medicare does NOT cover
Separately funded
- ●Medications — IVF drugs are subsidised through the PBS, not Medicare. General copay $31.6/script, concession $7.7/script.
- ●Hospital fees — If your procedure is done as a day patient in a private hospital, the hospital charges separately. Private health insurance can cover this.
Not covered at all
- ●Counselling — fertility counselling is not MBS-rebatable in most cases
- ●Embryo/egg storage — annual fees ($300–$600/year) are fully out-of-pocket
- ●PGT-A genetic testing — typically $600–$800 per cycle, no Medicare rebate
- ●Donor costs — donor eggs, donor sperm, and donor embryo fees
- ●Elective egg freezing — no Medicare rebate when there is no medical indication
- ●Travel/accommodation — not covered even if you travel interstate for treatment
Medicare Safety Net
The Medicare Safety Net is the most important cost-reduction mechanism for IVF patients doing multiple cycles. Once your annual out-of-pocket costs (the gap between what your doctors charge and the MBS schedule fee) exceed the threshold, Medicare pays a higher percentage of your remaining gap costs.
How the Safety Net works
Original Medicare Safety Net
Threshold: $2,544.30 per calendar year (2026). Once your family's cumulative gap fees exceed this amount, Medicare pays 80% of the remaining out-of-pocket for all MBS services above the schedule fee for the rest of the calendar year.
Concessional Safety Net
For concession card holders and families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A, the threshold is lower at $806.00. After this, the same 80% additional rebate applies.
Multi-cycle cost example (before vs after Safety Net)
| Cycle | Clinic fee | Medicare rebate | Safety Net benefit | Your out-of-pocket |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | $10,000 | −$3,100 | $0 (below threshold) | $6,900 |
| Cycle 2 | $10,000 | −$3,100 | −$3,485* | $3,415 |
| Cycle 3 | $10,000 | −$3,100 | −$5,520* | $1,380 |
* Safety Net kicks in after $2,544.30 cumulative gap. Example assumes $10,000 clinic fee and $3,100 base Medicare rebate per cycle. Actual Safety Net benefits depend on cumulative gap fees and specific MBS items. This is a simplified illustration — consult Medicare for precise calculations.
How to claim Medicare for IVF
Your clinic submits the claim
Most IVF clinics process Medicare claims on your behalf electronically. After each service (consultation, egg collection, embryo transfer), the clinic submits the claim with the relevant MBS item number.
Auto-rebate to your bank account
If you have registered your bank account with Medicare, rebates are deposited automatically within 1–2 business days. Some clinics can also do “in-clinic claiming” where the rebate is applied on the spot, reducing your upfront payment.
Check your rebates on MyGov
Log into your myGov account linked to Medicare to view all claims, rebates paid, and your Safety Net progress. You can also download Medicare statements for tax or insurance purposes. The Medicare app also shows your claims history and Safety Net balance.
Register your family for the Safety Net
Register your family group with Medicare (online, by phone, or at a Service Australia office) so that all family members' gap fees count towards the Safety Net threshold. This is essential for reaching the $2,544.30 threshold faster.
Private health insurance + Medicare
Private health insurance does not replace Medicare for IVF — the two work together. Medicare provides rebates for the medical services (specialist fees, procedures). Hospital-level private cover reduces the hospital component (bed, theatre, nursing, anaesthetist gap).
What private cover helps with
- Hospital accommodation (day procedure fees)
- Theatre fees
- Anaesthetist gap reduction
- Potential saving: $1,000–$3,000 per cycle
Important caveats
- 12-month waiting period for pregnancy/IVF claims
- Must have hospital cover (not just extras)
- Does NOT cover the specialist's gap fee
- Does NOT cover medications, storage, or PGT-A
Tip: If you are planning IVF in the next 12+ months, taking out hospital cover now could save $1,000–$3,000 per cycle. Compare policies that specifically include “assisted reproduction” or “IVF” in their hospital cover. Not all hospital policies cover IVF — check the product information statement carefully.
Public IVF (free but limited)
A small number of public hospitals in Australia offer fully funded IVF, where you pay nothing (or only a small medication gap). This is the cheapest option but comes with significant trade-offs:
Wait times
6–24 months depending on state and hospital
Limited states
Best access in NSW and VIC. Limited in QLD/SA. None in TAS, ACT, or NT.
Eligibility
Medicare card, medical indication, age limits (typically under 42), BMI requirements
Public IVF is a viable option if you can wait, live in a state with access, and meet the eligibility criteria. However, most Australian IVF patients use private clinics with Medicare rebates due to shorter wait times and greater choice of specialist and clinic. See our cheapest IVF guide for the lowest-cost private options.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover IVF in Australia?
Yes. Medicare provides rebates for most IVF procedures including fertility specialist consultations, ultrasound monitoring, egg collection, embryo transfer, anaesthesia, and blood tests. Typical rebates total $3,000–$5,000 per cycle, depending on the specific services. There is no limit on the number of Medicare-funded IVF cycles.
How much does Medicare pay back for IVF?
Medicare rebates vary by service. A standard IVF cycle attracts $2,800–$3,200 in rebates for the procedure itself, plus additional rebates for consultations, ultrasounds, and blood tests. The total varies by clinic pricing and services used. After reaching the Medicare Safety Net threshold ($2,544.30 in 2026), rebates increase to 80% of the gap above the schedule fee.
What is the Medicare Safety Net for IVF?
The Original Medicare Safety Net provides additional rebates once your out-of-pocket costs exceed $2,544.30 in a calendar year. After this threshold, Medicare pays 80% of the remaining gap (the difference between the fee charged and the MBS schedule fee). For IVF patients doing multiple cycles, this significantly reduces the cost of the 2nd and 3rd cycles. Concessional Safety Net threshold is $806.00.
Do I need private health insurance for IVF?
No, private health insurance is not required for IVF. Medicare covers the medical rebates regardless of whether you have private cover. However, hospital-level private health insurance can reduce the hospital component costs (bed, theatre, anaesthetist gap) by $1,000–$3,000 per cycle. Most policies require a 12-month waiting period for pregnancy/IVF-related claims.
What IVF costs does Medicare NOT cover?
Medicare does not cover: IVF medications (these are separately subsidised through the PBS), counselling fees, embryo/egg storage fees, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A), donor egg or sperm costs, surrogacy-related expenses, accommodation or travel costs, and elective egg freezing (no medical indication). Some of these have separate PBS or private cover options.
Related guides
Sources & further reading
- Medicare Benefits Schedule Online — MBS item numbers, schedule fees, and rebate amounts for IVF services
- Medicare Safety Net — Services Australia — Safety Net thresholds and how additional rebates are calculated
- PBS Schedule — Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme — PBS-subsidised IVF medication copayment rates
- RTAC Code of Practice — Accreditation requirements for Australian IVF clinics
Prescription treatments require a valid Australian prescription from an AHPRA-registered practitioner. This site does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any treatment.