The Women’s is partnering with 10 health services across Victoria and bringing the possibility of parenthood to all with Public Fertility Care.
Inclusions and exclusions
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Services included: |
Services not included: |
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Options for these procedures are available from private providers. |
Eligibility criteria
Public Fertility Care is available to people of all genders whose situation or health may prevent or impair fertility or safe conception and/or who have been trying to conceive naturally but have been unsuccessful.
Checklist for patient eligibility
- Victorian resident with a Medicare card
- Referral from a GP or specialist which includes all necessary test and investigation results
- Meets age criteria:
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aged 42 years or younger using their own eggs
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aged less than 51 years and seeking to use donor eggs (the egg being used must be 42 years or younger at time of collection).
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If the patient is part of a heterosexual couple who has been trying to conceive, the following applies:
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If aged under 35 years: |
If aged between 35-42 years (inclusive): |
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The patient needs to have been trying to conceive for more than a year. |
The patient needs to have been trying to conceive for at least six months. |
| The patient needs to be using an egg (their own or from a donor) that is 42 years or younger at time of treatment. | |
Where to refer your patient
All referrals, regardless of where a patient is located, should be sent to the Women’s where they will be triaged.
- Use the Reproductive Services Referral Form (Word).
- Include copies of all mandatory test results.
- Fax referral to the Women's at (03) 8345 3036.
The Women’s catchment areas include: City of Maribyrnong, City of Melbourne, City of Moonee Valley, City of Yarra.
Patients outside the Women’s catchment areas will attend their appointments at their local health service and then come to the Women's only for their procedure/s.
A GP or specialist referral must be made to the Women’s regardless of where your patient lives. We will let you know your patient's referral has been accepted and advise if your patient will be seen at one of our partner services. The respective partner service will contact your patient to arrange their first appointment.
The partnering services are:
| Health service |
Local Government Area |
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| Northern Health, Epping |
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| Mildura Base Public Hospital |
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| Bendigo Health |
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| Southwest Healthcare, Warrnambool |
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| Mercy Health, Heidelberg |
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| Monash Health |
Gippsland
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Goulburn Valley Health, Shepparton |
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| Barwon Health, Geelong |
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| Western Health, Sunshine Hospital |
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| Grampians Health, Ballarat |
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Tests and investigations needed with the referral
Please ensure tests and investigations are undertaken and results are faxed with the referral to the Women's at (03) 8345 3036. All referrals will be valid for 12 months.
A pathology form is available for download with the list of tests required. Results will be copied directly to Public Fertility Care:
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Egg provider |
Partner tests, if accessing service with a partner |
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Investigations - must be provided
Pathology - must be provided
Provide if available
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People accessing the service with a partner, regardless of gender, must also have tests sent with the referral. This helps to determine health risks which may need to be managed. Information that must be provided
Provide if available
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Urgent referrals contact
For urgent referrals, such as before cancer treatment or surgery that may cause infertility, please call Reproductive Services at (03) 8345 3200 to speak with the registrar. If a consultant has requested direct contact, reach out to them accordingly.
To meet the needs of all Victorian residents, we cannot prioritise based on age.
For urgent hyperstimulation concerns, GPs and specialists can call (03) 8345 3200 during business hours or (03) 8345 2000 after hours to reach the Reproductive Services Fellow. If a consultant has asked for direct contact, use the provided number.
Frequently asked questions
While Public Fertility Care is free, there may be some costs incurred outside of the service for medications, tests, and investigations conducted by a pathology and/or diagnostic service.
Yes. Public Fertility Care accepts:
- people aged 42 years or younger using their own eggs (has not yet turned 43)
- people aged less than 51 years with donor eggs – the egg being used must be 42 years or younger at time of collection (eggs can be collected within the patients 42nd year, before turning 43).
To ensure Public Fertility Care continues to meet the needs of all Victorian residents, we are unable to fast-track an individual.
Depending on your patient’s specific fertility needs and that of the partner or donor, IVF may or may not be needed. Under the Public Fertility Care model, there is a maximum of two treatment cycles (IVF or ICSI) per person (per lifetime) including subsequent transfer of all embryos collected during those cycles. The care team can provide further information.
The current waitlist timeframe (from referral received to patient's first appointment) is approximately 8 to 12 weeks (updated February 2025).
Each person’s treatment journey is different. The timing and type of treatment will depend on your patient's specific fertility needs. There are lots of different options for treating infertility and the different pathways will affect the timelines for each person.
Public Fertility Care does not provide adjuvant therapies. Adjuvant therapies are considered optional and are not publicly funded. Patients are welcome to discuss any questions during their Public Fertility Care appointment. For reliable, evidence-based information about adjuvant therapies, visit the University of Melbourne’s IVF Extras website.
Yes, if your patient is receiving fertility care at another service and your patient meets the eligibility criteria, you can refer them to Public Fertility Care.
You will need to send a new GP or specialist referral to the Women’s.
Additional tests and investigations may need to be undertaken which can be obtained with a GP or specialist referral to a private testing service. This may incur some out-of-pocket expenses to the patient.
Yes, while some tests and investigations have been undertaken in the private sector, there may be additional tests required for your patient and their partner (if relevant) in the public sector.
A list of tests and investigations are listed on this page. Jump to: Tests and investigations needed with the referral.
We are currently accepting egg and sperm donations from the Victorian community. As we continue building a bank, the wait time for a patient requiring eggs, sperm, or both is approximately 24-36 months.
To find out more about the bank, visit the egg and sperm bank webpage.
Yes. The service is available to any couple or single person, including people with a known egg/sperm donor. However, the donor will need to obtain a referral from their GP or specialist to the Women’s (even if they are already enrolled with another fertility service) and include all the relevant investigations and tests.
During the treatment journey, the donor will be required to attend an appointment at the hospital, either with the patient or on their own.
Yes. The service is available to people who have frozen embryos, eggs or sperm. However, a referral from a GP or specialist to the Women’s is required even if the patient is enrolled with another fertility service.
The Women’s will liaise with the service where the embryos, eggs or sperm are being stored to organise a transfer. The cost of transporting the patient’s frozen embryos, eggs or sperm must be covered by the patient.
Yes, altruistic surrogacy is available with Public Fertility Care.
Please find below some background information about surrogacy arrangements in Victoria.
Intended parent/s can be eligible to undertake a surrogacy arrangement in Victoria if:
- they are infertile or unable to carry a baby or give birth
- there is a likely medical risk to the mother or baby if the intended mother attempted to become pregnant herself.
There are several reasons why people may consider surrogacy including:
- A women is unable to become pregnant or carry a baby for medical reasons.
- A same-sex couple (male or female) or individual may want to have a child conceived using their own sperm or eggs and donor sperm or eggs.
- A couple who are involved in an IVF treatment program may have embryos in storage and, in the event that the woman dies, the male partner may wish to commission a surrogate to carry and give birth to a child.
To find out more about surrogacy in Victoria, visit the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority.
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Drawing on expertise from clinicians leading Victoria’s Public Fertility Care, this webinar provides GPs and Practice Nurses with practical knowledge about:
You can watch this webinar on YouTube. |
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Donor egg and sperm program
Australia’s first public egg and sperm donor program has opened at the Women’s. The program is an extension of Victoria’s Public Fertility Care and is currently accepting egg, and sperm donations from the Victorian community.
The bank aims to increase access to eggs and sperm for Victorians who are receiving public fertility care and require donor services.
Find more information about the Donor egg and sperm program.
Related information
Downloads and Related Topics
Date reviewed: 14 May 2025
Date reviewed: 14 May 2025