Frequently Asked Questions

Do you treat same sex couples and single people?

Yes, Connect IVF is the most affordable Donor service in Australia. We treat all Australians struggling with their fertility, including same sex couples and single people. Visit our Donor Services page for more information.

Do you have an upper age limit for IVF treatment?

Age can be a touchy subject. We do adhere to a female age upper limit guideline of 44 years of age. This is because all the data over many years has shown us that the chance of taking a baby home from the hospital after 44 years of age is less than 1%. As these cycles are covered by Medicare, we have a responsibility to ensure the taxpayers money is being spent in a responsible way. There may be opportunities for patients at this age or older to engage donor services and have better chance of success, please visit our Donor Services page for more information.

Do you have a weight limit for IVF treatment?

We know that the subject of weight can be a touchy topic, however an especially important one. We do adhere to a BMI guideline of 34 for our female patients. This is not because we do not want to treat you or you are not deserving of our help, it’s because we want to work with you to help you achieve an appropriate weight to undertake the fertility treatment. Fertility treatment can be dangerous or more prone to failure due to increased weight. There is also increased risk obstetrically to a mother and baby when increased weight is a factor. We want you to remain healthy and have a chance of having a healthy child. Therefore, we will be happy to refer you to our inhouse nutritionist to help you get into a healthy weight range prior to starting your IVF journey. Did you know that a loss of 5cm in waist circumference can increase your chances of falling pregnant by 20%? So, we are not being mean, we just want you to be successful and healthy. And some patients fall pregnant naturally after healthy weight loss, and we would be happy to celebrate that with you too.

Do you offer Pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos?

We do not currently offer preimplantation genetic testing of embryos. This is something we are looking to implement in the not-too-distant future. Anyone requiring this type of service will be referred to an appropriate provider. Please keep an eye out on our website and social media.

Do you have donor / surrogacy services available?

Yes, Connect IVF can provide you with donor services. Egg donation, sperm donation and embryo donation can be used in assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments to help individuals or couples who are struggling with infertility. Please visit our Donor Services page to learn more. We do not currently have a surrogacy program on offer through Connect IVF.

Why is Connect IVF so much cheaper than all other IVF Clinics in Australia?

Connect IVF is not a “low cost” IVF option, it is a low profit margin service. We believe that IVF services should be available to any Australian who wants to bring a child into their family. We have made every effort to bulk bill as much of the IVF journey, so that you do not face financial burdens when families need all the help they can get. But this does not mean we compromise on quality of service or fertility options; we just do not charge and arm and a leg to give you the absolute best chance of having a baby. We use the best performing and well proven therapies, protocols, medications and techniques, so our quality of service is second to none.

So, how much will IVF cost us?

We are upfront about all our costs, and you will not be hit with any additional hidden fees. Our costs are explained with you in detail prior to starting any fertility treatment, so you will always be aware of your financial commitment to your IVF journey.

Will an IVF Specialist oversee my IVF cycle?

Your IVF treatment cycle is overseen by your Fertility Specialist. They tailor a treatment protocol to your specific needs based on your history and preliminary investigations. When you are on your treatment cycle, your Fertility Specialist will review your results daily and adjust where necessary and advise of the next steps to be taken. This ensures continuity of care by the doctor that knows the intricacies of your specific case inside and out. Fertility treatment is not a “one size fits all” concept as some providers may have you believe; therefore, our Specialists can choose and adjust any treatment type/protocol or drug regimen to fit the needs of each individual/couple. This aids in giving you the best chance of a baby from your very first treatment cycle with us.

What is the Connect IVF process?

Connect IVF can offer a unique and streamlined referral pathway through to our IVF specialist, no need to see your family doctor first. You can make a direct appointment for you and your partner to come see one of our Fertility GPs, they will undertake all necessary preliminary investigations (such as blood work, semen analysis and scans) and after reviewing these results with you can refer you directly to one of our highly experienced IVF specialists. This means that you do not need multiple visits with your specialist before discussing treatment options, as they have all the information readily available at their fingertips. With other providers you usually require multiple expensive visits to a specialist before arriving at the point of organising treatment. And all our Fertility GP and Specialist appointments are bulk billed, so you have no out of pocket expenses to find out your suitability for IVF or what your treatment options may be. If you already have a referral to see an IVF Specialist, we can certainly use that to get you on your way with Connect IVF.

Do I need to bring anything to my appointments?

If you have an external referral, please bring a copy. If you have any previous fertility related blood work, scans, results or previous IVF histories, please bring them along to your appointments as this helps determine any missing information or aids in getting you through to a specialist sooner.

What is the NSW Government $2000 IVF Support Grant?

The NSW Government provides a ‘Means Tested’ $2,000 rebate to those NSW women needing IVF services and other assisted reproductive technologies through licenced IVF providers like Connect IVF.

The rebate is a $2,000 ‘once-off’ payment to women residing in NSW who’s household income is less than $116,000 and who have received eligible fertility treatment on or after 19 February 2025. It replaces the previous non-Means Tested $2,000 rebate.

To access the rebate go to the Service NSW Website: https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-for-the-fertility-treatment-rebate-2

The NSW Government also provide a $250 rebate as a part of the Improved Affordability and Access to IVF Services Initiative, for out-of-pocket expenses related to pre-IVF fertility testing. If you are a current resident of NSW you are eligible for the rebate once a specialist confirms you have a fertility issue and have incurred out-of-pocket costs related one or more of the following examinations:

- AMH Testing

- Pelvic ultrasound

- Ovulation Testing

- Semen analysis

To access the rebate, go to the Service NSW Website: https://www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/rpa/fertility/news-rebate

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Can I transfer my embryos from another clinic to Connect IVF?

Yes. You can transfer your existing embryos that are stored at other licensed IVF clinic to Connect IVF and use them in future IVF cycles. The only cost involved in transferring them is the cost of the courier.

How do I know it's my own embryo?

Since Connect IVF's commencement in 2021 we sparred no expense in implementing an electronic witnessing system to safeguard and ensure the origins of all reproductive material through our laboratory. The system utilises radio frequency identification (RFID) to detect and monitor all activity involving gametes and embryos, and patient identification from the first entry point with the collection of eggs and sperm, through to the exit point such as embryo transfer. While an electronic witnessing system has become the gold standard for mismatch avoidance, we do not rely solely on this one method and employ multiple human identification processes at the same time to be confident that the chain of custody of reproductive material is intact and verified at each step. There is no process we take more seriously than that of identification confirmation.

What is the evidence on optional extras to support the IVF process?

The evidence on optional extras for IVF varies. It's important to make informed decisions based on reliable information. You can explore the latest evidence for different IVF treatment options and extras here.

What is IVF?

IVF, or in vitro fertilisation, refers to the fertilisation of a female egg with male sperm occurring outside of the body. The female patient has self-administered injections for approximately 2 weeks to encourage the growth of more than one egg where possible. The response to this stimulation is monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds. A minor day surgery procedure will be undertaken to collect the eggs. The eggs are then fertilised with sperm to create an embryo. The embryo is later returned, or transferred, back into the woman's uterus in a procedure called an embryo transfer. A blood test is performed approximately 10 days later to determine if the treatment has been successful.