Key Points
- ✓You need a valid referral to see a fertility specialist and claim Medicare rebates
- ✓A GP referral lasts 12 months — a specialist referral lasts 3 months
- ✓Each partner needs their own referral to claim Medicare rebates individually
- ✓You can get a referral online in under 15 minutes through HeyDoc
What Is an IVF Referral?
An IVF referral is a formal letter from a registered doctor that allows you to see a fertility specialist for IVF or other fertility treatments. In Australia, this referral is required to:
- •Book an appointment with a fertility specialist (reproductive endocrinologist)
- •Claim Medicare rebates on specialist consultations and fertility treatments
- •Access subsidised IVF, ICSI, IUI, egg freezing, and other assisted reproductive treatments
Important: Without a valid referral, you won't be eligible for any Medicare rebates — meaning you'll pay the full out-of-pocket cost for every consultation and treatment.
Who Can Write an IVF Referral?
Any registered medical practitioner in Australia can write a fertility specialist referral. The type of doctor affects how long the referral is valid:
GP Referral
12 months
Valid for 12 months from the date of issue. This is the most common type and gives you the longest window to start and continue treatment.
Specialist Referral
3 months
A referral from a gynaecologist, endocrinologist, or other specialist is valid for 3 months. Shorter validity, but useful if you already have a specialist relationship.
Tip: A GP referral is almost always the better option. 12 months gives you enough time to complete initial consultations, testing, and your first treatment cycle without needing a renewal.
What Your Referral Should Include
A good referral letter helps your specialist understand your situation before you walk in. It should include:
| Detail | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Your full name and details | Each person needs their own referral to claim Medicare rebates |
| Named specialist or clinic | The referral must be addressed to a specific specialist or clinic |
| Relevant medical history | Saves time — your specialist has context from day one |
| How long you've been trying | Helps determine urgency and treatment approach |
| Test results | Blood work, ultrasound, and semen analysis results if available |
How to Get Your Referral — Step by Step
Getting a fertility referral is straightforward. Here's what to expect:
Book an appointment with your GP
Tell your GP you'd like a referral to a fertility specialist. You don't need to justify it — asking is enough. If you can't get a GP appointment quickly, online telehealth services like HeyDoc can provide the same referral without the wait.
Complete initial fertility tests
Your doctor will likely order some baseline tests before referring you. These aren't a delay tactic — fertility clinics require them before your first appointment anyway.
- •Blood tests: Hormone levels (FSH, LH, oestradiol), AMH (ovarian reserve), thyroid function
- •Pelvic ultrasound: Checks ovarian health and uterine structure
- •Semen analysis: Assesses sperm count, motility, and morphology
Choose your fertility clinic
You can ask your doctor for a recommendation or choose your own. Your referral needs to name a specific specialist or clinic. Consider location, wait times, treatment costs, and success rates.
Browse fertility clinics in our directory →Receive your referral
Your doctor writes the referral letter and sends it to your chosen clinic. It will include your medical history and test results. If you have a partner, they'll need their own separate referral to claim their own Medicare rebates. Keep a copy for your records.
Book your specialist appointment
Contact your chosen clinic to schedule your first consultation. Bring your referral letter, Medicare card, test results, and any relevant medical records.
When Should You Get a Referral?
The general guidelines for seeking fertility help are:
Under 35
After 12 months of regular, unprotected intercourse without conceiving.
35 and over
After 6 months of trying. Fertility declines with age, and earlier intervention improves outcomes.
You should seek a referral immediately if you have:
- •Irregular or absent periods
- •Known conditions like PCOS, endometriosis, or fibroids
- •A history of recurrent miscarriage
- •Known male factor issues (low sperm count, previous vasectomy reversal)
- •Plans for fertility preservation (egg or sperm freezing)
Medicare and Your Referral
Your referral is the key to accessing Medicare rebates for fertility treatment. With a valid referral and Medicare card, you can claim rebates on:
- •Fertility specialist consultations (~$84 rebate per visit)
- •IVF treatment cycles (~$3,720 rebate for an initial cycle)
- •Related blood tests, ultrasounds, and procedures
Once your out-of-pocket costs exceed the Medicare Safety Net threshold, you'll receive even higher rebates for the rest of the calendar year.
Read our full Medicare rebates guidePublic vs Private Fertility Clinics
Both public and private fertility clinics require a valid referral. Here's how they compare:
| Public Clinic | Private Clinic | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower out-of-pocket | Higher out-of-pocket |
| Wait times | Longer (weeks to months) | Shorter (days to weeks) |
| Eligibility | May have criteria | Open to all with referral |
| Referral type | May need specific form | Standard GP referral |
Tip: Some public hospital fertility services (like The Royal Women's Hospital in Melbourne) require a specific referral form faxed or emailed directly. Check with the clinic before your GP writes the referral.
Can't Get a GP Appointment?
GP wait times in Australia can stretch to weeks — and when time matters in fertility, that delay adds up. HeyDoc lets you see an AHPRA-registered doctor online and get your referral the same day.
- •$49 for a fertility-focused consultation
- •Doctors who specialise in fertility referrals
- •Referral sent to you and your chosen clinic
- •Valid for Medicare rebates — accepted by all fertility clinics in Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about IVF referrals in Australia
Yes. In Australia, you need a valid referral from a GP or another specialist to see a fertility specialist and claim Medicare rebates. Without a referral, you'll pay the full out-of-pocket cost for your consultation and won't be eligible for any Medicare rebates on treatment.
A referral from a GP is valid for 12 months from the date it's written. A referral from another specialist (like a gynaecologist or endocrinologist) is valid for 3 months. After your referral expires, you'll need a new one to continue claiming Medicare rebates.
Yes. HeyDoc provides fertility specialist referrals online from AHPRA-registered Australian doctors. Your consultation takes about 15 minutes, costs $49, and your referral is sent directly to you and your chosen clinic.
Yes. Each person needs their own referral to claim Medicare rebates for their fertility consultations and treatments. If you're going through treatment as a couple, both of you should get a referral to your chosen clinic.
Yes. You can request a referral to any fertility clinic or specialist in Australia. If you're not sure which clinic to choose, your referring doctor can make a recommendation, or you can browse clinics in our fertility clinic directory.
Your doctor will typically order blood tests (hormone levels, AMH, thyroid function), a pelvic ultrasound for women, and a semen analysis for men. Having these results ready for your first specialist appointment means treatment can start sooner.
Public fertility clinics are generally lower cost but have longer wait times and may have eligibility criteria. Private clinics offer shorter wait times and more flexibility in scheduling, but higher out-of-pocket costs. Both require a valid referral.
An initial fertility specialist consultation typically costs $250–$500. With a valid referral and Medicare card, you'll receive a rebate of approximately $84.15 (MBS item 104). Some clinics bulk-bill the initial consultation.
Ready to get started?
Get a fertility specialist referral from an AHPRA-registered doctor — online, in under 15 minutes.
Book Consultation - $49Helpful Resources
Medicare rebates guide
MBS items, Safety Net thresholds, NSW rebate
Find a fertility clinic
Browse clinics across Australia
Find a fertility specialist
Search specialists by location and clinic
Medicare overview
General Medicare information
Last updated: February 2026. Referral validity periods and Medicare rebate amounts may change — always verify with Services Australia or your healthcare provider.