MRFF funds new IVF success estimator website

Digital & Innovation: The Morrison Government is strengthening support and the availability of independent information for couples trying to become pregnant through the launch of the YourIVFSuccess website.

In Vitro Fertilisation – IVF – and other assisted reproductive technologies have helped hundreds of thousands of Australians experience the joy of becoming parents. Until now, there has not been an easy way for consumers to find and compare fertility clinics or to estimate their individual chance of success.

The launch of this website coincides with research from Aussie and New Zealand scientists that assessed the IVF (in vitro fertilisation) ‘add-ons’ offered by 40 Australian and New Zealand clinics online, and say 31 were offering add-ons. They identified a total of 21 different add-ons, the most common being preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies (offered by around two-in-three clinics), time-lapse systems (offered by around one-in-three), and assisted hatching (offered by just over one-in-four). In most cases, clinics claimed the add-ons provided benefits, but none are supported by high-quality evidence, the experts say. And some of the add-ons were expensive, costing up to $3,700. While some clinics did state that evidence for benefits of offered add-ons is lacking, the experts say all clinics should clearly state that there is no evidence that these add-ons are beneficial.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said that one in six Australian couples face difficulty trying to start a family.

Minister Hunt said “The YourIVFSuccess website will help people estimate their chances of success through this treatment so that they can make the decisions which are right for them.”

“It allows people to access information based on real world statistical information collected from patients who have undergone IVF treatment.

“The website also includes an IVF Success Estimator so those thinking about starting or continuing IVF can make informed decisions.

“In addition, the new website will provide independent and impartial information about all fertility clinics in Australia, including the clinic’s success rates.”

Senator for South Australia, Stirling Griff, whose advocacy prompted the website’s development, said the new website fills a gap in the information people need if they choose to start a family through IVF or continue with assisted reproductive treatment.

“This important project will help people navigate the difficult and often complex world of IVF,” Senator Griff said.

“The website means infertile Australians will no longer be flying blind when they choose a clinic; they can use it to research and view the performance of each fertility clinic, to understand their own prospects of success, and to make an informed choice.  

“I want to thank the expert working party, UNSW Sydney, Access Australia, and the IVF Directors group representing the IVF clinics for their considerable efforts to make this online tool a reality.”

The YourIVFSuccess website is part of a $4.6 million Medical Research Future Fund grant to UNSW over four years from 2019-20.

The website can be viewed at www.yourivfsuccess.com.au.