Barwon Health provides fertility assessment and treatment, including IVF in conjunction with the Royal Women’s Hospital. Public Fertility Care is free, but there may be some out-of-pocket costs outside of the service for medicines and tests.

Conditions seen

Barwon Health offers a public fertility care service for individuals and couples of all genders, where they meet the following criteria:

  • aged under 35 years, and have been trying to conceive for more than 12 months,
  • aged between 35 and 42 years, and have been trying to conceive for more than 6 months,
  • your situation or health may prevent or impair fertility or safe conception, or
  • same sex couples who are seeking to use donor sperm or eggs.

Conditions not seen

Barwon Health does not accept referrals for the following conditions:

  • Women over 43 who are wishing to use their own eggs
  • Women over 51 who are seeking to use donor eggs

How do I access this service?

To be seen in the Public Fertility Care Clinic, you need to be referred to The Women’s by your GP, another specialist doctor, or your Barwon Health doctor. We are unable to see you in our clinics without a referral.

Please review the The Women’s website for further information.

Appointment timeframe

The estimated waiting time varies depending on the demand for our services, and appointments are offered as they become available.

The estimated waiting time for routine first appointments is listed below as a general guide. This waiting time is reviewed and updated regularly.

Speciality
Estimated timeframe

Public Fertility Care Clinic

1 - 3 months

For Health Professionals

State-referral criteria may apply for conditions under this specialty requiring further assessment and management. Referring clinicians are encouraged to utilise Western Victoria Community HealthPathways for referral guidelines and requirements for all conditions.

Eligibility criteria are provided on The Women’s website. 

For urgent referral advice, please contact the specialty The Women’s.

Complete the Reproductive Services Referral Form available on The Women’s website, include tests and investigations, and send via Fax to The Women’s (03 8345 3036). Referrals will be valid for 12 months.

GPs or referring doctors wishing to discuss the triage of their patient’s referral, or who require additional information, please contact The Women’s.

Page last updated: May 20, 2026