Because the University of Sydney owns Westmead Fertility Centre, financial profit for the satisfaction of and distribution to shareholders is not our focus. We are passionate about our philosophy of keeping our pricing affordable to make high quality, effective fertility treatment accessible for as many people as possible. Instead of being focused on profits, we direct our operating surplus to where it makes the biggest impact on your chance of success – investing in our laboratory equipment, research, and to attract and retain the best staff and fertility specialists. Our offices may not look extravagant, but our laboratories are state of the art.

When comparing success rates between clinics, you should ask if their success rates are compliant with Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC) guidelines. For further information on success rates, refer to the Fertility Society of Australia’s Interpreting pregnancy rates: a consumer guide.

Read our success stories here.

Our experienced embryologists maintain the highest standards to ensure optimal results in the safest setting possible. We have highly advanced equipment and our fertility specialists are leading experts in proven techniques. As well as being informed about emerging technologies, we play a pivotal role in contributing to their development through our research and new approaches.

We take our responsibility of supporting your developing gametes (sperm and eggs) and embryos extremely seriously and our onsite laboratory meets stringent guidelines and best practice in the industry.

No, there is no wait list to start treatment at Westmead Fertility Centre. However, because our fertility specialists are so popular, there may be a wait for your initial consultation to see them.

Once you have chosen the fertility specialist you would like to support your treatment, we recommend contacting their consultation rooms as soon as possible to schedule an appointment. Once they have completed your fertility investigations, treatment at Westmead Fertility Centre can begin straight away, guided by the timing of your monthly cycle.

Decide on a fertility specialist and schedule an appointment for the initial consultation.

Our team of specialist fertility nurses play an integral role in your fertility journey and are your first point of contact during your treatment. They coordinate your fertility specialist’s treatment plan, take blood and perform ultrasound scans, provide information and emotional support. Whenever possible, our nurses provide treatment in a manner that is compatible with and sensitive to your culture and religion.

Find out more information on culturally sensitive fertility treatment here.

As a general rule, you should talk to a fertility specialist if you are younger than 35 years of age and have been trying to conceive for 12 months or more, or if you are 35 years of age or older and have been trying to conceive for six months more. Experience tells us that the longer a couple waits to seek help, the more it can adversely affect their chance of conceiving. Also remember, you can seek the advice of a fertility specialist at any time if you become worried.

Westmead Fertility Centre offers bulk billing to patients undergoing fertility preservation in advance of treatment that will affect their future fertility (eg prior to chemotherapy). All other patients will be eligible for our affordable treatment fees. In a recent survey, 91 percent of our patients found our fees affordable and confirmed that our fee structure made treatment accessible to them.

The fee quoted by Westmead Fertility Centre includes all cycle fees, day surgery fees, embryo freezing and 3 months of complimentary embryo storage. We are upfront and open about all the fees that you may need to pay and ensure you are well informed before starting the process.

Other clinics that claim to bulk bill generally do not offer one upfront fee, and can only bulk bill a portion of your eventual out-of-pocket costs. Bulk billing clinics will likely apply additional charges related to day surgery, the anaesthetist, embryo freezing, embryo storage, counselling and other additional standard services. So, when reviewing prices between clinics, it is very important to compare the costs of the entire fertility process from start to finish.

Here are some questions you should ask if you are comparing pricing between clinics:

• Do you charge any additional fees for day surgery?
• Do you charge an additional fee for the anaesthetist or pain relief?
• Is there an additional fee for freezing embryos?
• Is there an additional fee for the ongoing storage of the embryos?
• Do you charge an additional fee for providing emotional support from a counsellor?
• Do your additional fees reduce if further treatment is required?

It is important to note that, depending on your own circumstances, as you accrue out-of-pocket expenses (from any type of medical treatment) the Medicare Safety Net will likely reduce your expenses for fertility treatment in that calendar year. Also, with Westmead Fertility Centre, you don’t need to pay for additional health insurance, as it is not required to access our services.