A public IVF satellite service will be set up in Epping if Labor is returned to government at the November state election.
The state government has pledged to invest $13.6 million into the state’s Australian-first public IVF service, with satellite services to be set up in Epping, Sunshine, Heidelberg Bendigo, Mildura, Shepparton, Geelong, Ballarat and Warrnambool.
The government said the investment would enable up to 5000 people each year will have access to the services once fully operational,
providing up to 3375 treatment cycles and delivering savings of up to $10,000 to eligible Victorians.
It will also help people who need access to donor or surrogacy services, and those who need fertility preservation due to medical treatment – such as cancer patients who, until now, haven’t been able to freeze their eggs or sperm.
Services will include IVF, fertility preservation, genetic testing, donor and surrogacy services – including Victoria’s first public sperm and egg bank – and a range of other treatments, counselling, information and support.
Premier Daniel Andrews said IVF is often financially out of reach for many people struggling to have a child.
“Our Australian-first public fertility service will remove the cost barrier for thousands of eligible aspiring parents –
and make it easier for start a family of their own,” he said.
