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International patients

City Fertility / Fertility treatment services / International patients

Australia: a preferred destination for fertility treatments

Australia is a world leader in Fertility and IVF Treatments, with more than 13,500 IVF babies born in Australia in 2016/2017: the highest number ever recorded, according to a new report released by the Fertility Society of Australia in 2018.*

Furthermore, Australia has been ranked third among the countries with the highest-quality healthcare systems, according to the latest Human Development Index released by the UN in December 2020.

Therefore, it is not surprising that the number of people visiting Australia for medical treatment appears to be growing at a much faster rate than the total number of tourists. According to a report from the Australian Trade and Investment Commission, Austrade, Australia has an exceptional reputation as a provider of high-quality healthcare that extends beyond to the post-operative and recovery stage.

 

City Fertility benefits

Established in 2003, City Fertility is one of Australia’s leading IVF and fertility service groups with 16 clinics, over 50 consulting rooms and over 60 fertility specialists nationwide.  We provide seamless care across the full fertility spectrum, from the initial consultation all the way to ensuring the best possible outcomes through our precise protocols and science-based treatments.

Some of the benefits at City Fertility are:

You may request a doctor of your preferred gender

We understand that, sometimes, patients’ gender preferences matter when it comes to medical care. At City Fertility we have a wide range of doctors available for you to choose who you feel more comfortable with.

You may request a doctor of your preferred language

We have over 60 specialists available to you who are fluent in many languages including Cantonese, English, Greek, Hakka, Hindi, Hokkien, Kurdish, Indonesian, Italian Malay, Mandarin, Marathi, Punjabi, Russian, Sinhalese, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Urdu.

Consultations via Skype available

If you are overseas when starting your treatment, you may request an initial consultation via Skype or phone with one of our fertility specialists.

We are nation-wide

You can choose from a wide variety of locations in Australia. City Fertility has clinics in:

 

We have over 50 consulting locations across Australia and over 60 dedicated fertility specialists here to help.

 

Fertility treatment process for international patients

Medicare eligibility

In Australia, residents that hold an Australian Medicare card are eligible for funding in the form of a rebate from the Government for IVF treatment.  In order to be eligible for Medicare benefits you need to reside permanently in Australia, have enrolled with Medicare, have been diagnosed with an underlying medical cause of infertility and have a current referral from a Doctor to see a specialist for treatment.

International patients visiting Australia for medical treatment are not eligible for Medicare benefits and as such do not need a Doctor’s referral to access treatment.

For further information about Medicare eligibility, please visit www.humanservices.gov.au

To learn more, visit our Frequently asked questions page or contact us at contactus@cityfertility.com.au

In order to be able to claim the cost of IVF treatment through Medicare (if you are eligible for the Medicare rebates mentioned above) you will need a current referral to your specialist. Referrals from a GP last for 12 months, while a referral from a specialist is current for only three months.

 

Step-by-step process

Step 1. Contact City Fertility.

We will inform you about what requirements you need to meet in order to start your treatment. These include medical screening tests, counselling requirements and legislative obligations. We will also give you a step-by-step guide to undertaking your fertility treatment in Australia.

Step 2. Test to complete prior to your first appointment.

Prior to commencing treatment, it is a requirement for you and your partner (if applicable) to complete some screening blood tests.

Female patients

Female patients will need to complete the following tests:

  • HIV
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Rubella
  • Blood Group
  • Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) testing (not mandatory)

Male patients

Male patients will need to complete the following tests:

  • HIV
  • Hepatitis B
  • Hepatitis C
  • Semen assesment

Step 3. Your first appointment.

Your initial consultation with a City Fertility specialist will allow your Doctor to gather all the relevant information regarding your circumstances, medical condition and previous care to provide the direction for your future treatment.

It may be possible to conduct this appointment via Skype or some other video-based conference call. Both partners are encouraged to attend this appointment.

Your specialist may recommend further tests and investigations to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your individual circumstances.   These tests may be completed prior to you arriving in Australia and may include:

  • Semen assesment
  • Laparoscopic surgery
  • Blood hormone testing
  • Pelvic ultrasound
  • Pathology screenings

If you have had tests done previously, or had treatment elsewhere, please provide the specialist with a copy of any information or results that you have and/or bring them along with you to this appointment. All documents provided to the specialist must be translated into English.

Please also advise the specialist’s rooms at the time of making the appointment if you require an interpreter to be present at this consultation.

Appointments available via Skype

City Fertility offers you the option to have this initial appointment via Skype. To see which City Fertility specialists offer this service, please visit Our Specialists page.

Specialists in more than 15 different languages

We have over 60 fertility specialists available to you who are fluent in Cantonese, English, Greek, Hakka, Hindi, Hokkien, Kurdish, Indonesian, Italian, Malay, Mandarin, Marathi, Punjabi, Russian, Sinhalese, Spanish, Turkish, Ukrainian, and Urdu.

Please be aware that you may need an interpreter or translator to be present at this appointment. If so, please let us know when making the appointment so we can assist you in this matter.

Interpreters

City Fertility recommends that you use a professional interpreter if your spoken English is limited or is not adequate to discuss your medical details with the specialist.  It is extremely important that you understand the treatment process completely, and are able to provide informed consent regarding your treatment.

At the time of booking your appointments please indicate that you require an interpreter to be organised for you and the language that you require.

Step 4. Things to complete before you come to Australia.

Once you have completed your initial appointment with the specialist, the City Fertility clinic will contact you to organise the following:

Completion of patient registration form.

Following your initial consultation with the specialist, you will be required to complete a City Fertility registration form.

Please ensure that this form is completed in English.

Appropriate screening blood and medical tests to complete (if applicable)

Prior to commencing treatment, it is a requirement for you and your partner (if applicable) to complete some screening blood tests (please refer to Step 2). If you wish to get this test done in Australia, the appropriate Pathology form can be obtained from your specialist or through our fertility nurses and the pathology company will invoice you directly for these tests.

Counselling appointment (s) if undertaking treatment with donor gametes

If you are considering using donated sperm/eggs, you will need to attend a minimum of two counselling sessions with a nominated City Fertility counsellor. This is a legal/regulatory requirement. The sessions are an opportunity to receive information and to have any questions answered concerning social and legal issues of using donated sperm/eggs. The clinic will provide you with the details for a counsellor. Please visit our Donor Programs page for more information.

If you reside overseas, either one or both of these sessions can occur via Skype prior to you coming to Australia.

Patient information pack specialised to your treatment plan

To ensure that you are well informed throughout your journey, once your treatment plan has been received by the clinic, you will either be sent an individualised information pack or be contacted by City Fertility to organise a one-on-one appointment with one of our experienced fertility nurses.  All aspects of your fertility treatment, including the cost structure, will be discussed with you at this time.

If you reside overseas this information session can be carried out via Skype prior to you coming to Australia.

Please let us know at the time of making this appointment if you require an interpreter to be present at this consultation.

Treatment and financial consents

As with any medical procedure, there are several treatment consent forms that will need to be completed prior to you commencing your IVF cycle.  These are legal documents and need to be signed by each partner and witnessed by an independent person.

If you have any questions regarding your consent forms please do not hesitate to contact City Fertility or your specialist for clarification.  It is important that you understand all aspects of your care and that you are making an informed decision regarding your treatment.

City Fertility is unable to proceed with treatment without correctly completed and signed consent forms.

Guidelines on the timeframes for treatment

Please click on the image below to view in full and download our infographic.

Things to consider if you are having treatment in the state of Victoria

Due to different States within Australia being governed by different legislation, if you decide to undertake IVF treatment within the state of Victoria you will be required to complete the additional step of undertaking counselling prior to commencing treatment.

We recommend all patients wishing to undertake treatment in Victoria to contact our patient services team at the City Fertility clinic to organise an appointment with one of our City Fertility affiliated counsellors.  Please note that the required counselling must occur prior to any medication being dispensed.

 

Step 5. Travelling and staying in Australia.

At City Fertility you may request a patient care coordinator. To learn more about this service, contact us at contactus@cityfertility.com.au

Please allow at least 26 days in order to complete your City Fertility Treatment Plan.

Step 6. Back home

Once you return to your country of residence, our nurses will contact you to ensure everything is going as expected.

 

 

For more information about the process, you can visit our Frequently asked questions page  or contact us directly:

 

Sources:

Australian Trade and Investment Commission, www.austrade.com.au

Australian Bureau of Statistics <http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/3301.0Main+Features12016?OpenDocument>

The Medical Journal of Australia, Georgina M Chambers, Repon C Paul, Katie Harris, Oisin Fitzgerald, Clare V Boothroyd, Luk Rombauts, Michael G Chapman and Louisa Jorm. Med J Aust 2017; 207 (3): 114-118 <https://www.mja.com.au/journal/2017/207/3/assisted-reproductive-technology-australia-and-new-zealand-cumulative-live-birth>

The Sydney Morning Herald, Australia’s IVF rates revealed: one in every 25 births an IVF baby, by Kate Aubusson <https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/australia-ivf-rates-revealed-one-in-every-25-births-an-ivf-baby-20180908-p502ja.html>0

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