On top of Medicare, New South Wales runs the Affordable IVF Initiative: a A$250 pre-IVF testing rebate, a A$2,000 Fertility Treatment Rebate-2 for income-eligible residents treated at private clinics, and lower-cost IVF at three publicly supported clinics, where the out-of-pocket cost is capped at A$1,000 per IVF cycle after Medicare. This is the picture on NSW Health's pages as of February 2026.
| Part | What you get | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-IVF Fertility Testing Rebate | A$250 towards out-of-pocket costs of an AMH test, pelvic ultrasound, ovulation test or semen analysis | Only the person seeking pregnancy can claim, once |
| Fertility Treatment Rebate-2 | A$2,000 towards out-of-pocket ART costs at a private clinic | NSW residents treated on or after 19 February 2025 by an RTAC-accredited provider, in a household that receives Family Tax Benefit, holds a Health Care Card or earns A$116,000 a year or less; once only |
| Publicly supported lower-cost IVF | Out of pocket after Medicare capped at A$1,000 per IVF cycle and A$765 per frozen embryo transfer cycle | NSW residents eligible for Medicare, referred by a doctor; no means test |
| Fertility preservation | Subsidised sperm, ovarian tissue, egg and embryo freezing | Eligible patients with a medical need, such as a serious or life-threatening condition |
Sources: NSW Health, Affordable IVF and fertility support (February 2026) and Affordable IVF Initiative FAQ (March 2025).
Underneath the state program sits Medicare, which pays benefits for ART services such as IVF, ICSI and IUI when they are clinically relevant to treat infertility. Services Australia's billing guidance sets no limit on the number of cycles (April 2025).
In practice there are two paths. If your household meets the income test and you prefer a private clinic, the A$2,000 rebate helps once. If you want the capped price, ask your GP for a referral to one of the three publicly supported clinics, where there is no means test.
Rebate amounts, income limits and dates are set by NSW Health and can change. Check the current rules with NSW Health, your clinic and Medicare before you plan your budget.
The NSW testing rebate pays for the first checks, and Map to the Positive explains when those checks should not wait. The book lists situations where you should see a specialist right away instead of trying for 6 or 12 months, including:
When to see a specialist is Chapter 29 of Map to the Positive, the opening of Station IV. It gives the age cutoffs for an evaluation and explains which kind of specialist to look for. The same station covers choosing the right doctor, the treatment ladder and IVF step by step.
Take 30 days. If it does not give you more clarity than everything you have read for free so far, ask for a refund and you get every cent back. We cannot promise you a pregnancy. We can promise you will not be guessing.
References: Affordable IVF and fertility support - NSW Health (2026-02-05) · Affordable IVF Initiative - Frequently asked questions - NSW Health (2025-03-10) · Assisted reproductive technology services (MBS billing) - Services Australia (2025-04-15)