Quick answer
An IVF or fertility loan is finance for out-of-pocket costs of assisted reproductive treatment, such as clinic fees, medication, tests, donor or surrogacy-related expenses and several cycles. Medicare helps with some items but gaps remain. Ownright Custom Finance can look at what is available for your situation, Australia-wide, at your pace.
Key points
- Medicare pays benefits for some fertility services, but out-of-pocket costs remain
- Total cost across several cycles is hard to predict, so plan for flexibility
- A staged or top-up approach can suit uncertain treatment paths
- Ask the clinic for a full written fee schedule before borrowing
- Suits
- Individuals and couples planning one or more treatment cycles
- Security
- Unsecured, or secured for larger amounts
- Flexibility
- Structure can allow for extra cycles
- Australia-wide
- Yes
What is an IVF or fertility loan?
An IVF or fertility loan is borrowing used to meet the costs of assisted reproductive treatment. That might be IVF, egg or sperm freezing, intrauterine insemination, donor arrangements, genetic testing or the medication and consultations around them. Medicare pays benefits towards a number of these services, but most people still face significant out-of-pocket costs, and the final total depends on how many cycles are needed.
This is a deeply personal subject. We keep the finance side simple and kind: plain numbers, no pressure and no assumptions about why you are here.
Why is the cost hard to predict?
Treatment rarely follows a straight line. A single cycle has a clinic fee, medication, tests, scans and sometimes add-ons. If it does not succeed, many people choose to try again, and some need procedures such as freezing embryos. That uncertainty is why lenders and borrowers both benefit from a fee schedule from the clinic and a realistic view of how far the budget needs to stretch.
What do people borrow for?
| Cost | Notes |
|---|---|
| Clinic and specialist fees | The largest part for most cycles |
| Medication | Can be significant and time-limited |
| Tests and scans | Blood tests, ultrasounds, genetic testing |
| Procedures | Egg collection, embryo transfer, freezing and storage |
| Donor or surrogacy-related costs | Vary widely and may include legal costs |
| Counselling | Often recommended and sometimes required |
| Travel and time off work | Especially for regional patients |
What other support is worth checking?
Before borrowing, it helps to know what support exists. Medicare pays benefits for some fertility services, and its safety net arrangements may reduce costs once your out-of-pocket spending reaches certain thresholds. Private health cover may contribute towards hospital costs. Some employers offer support through leave or benefits. Clinics frequently have payment plans and can break costs into stages.
Super release on compassionate grounds is tightly limited by law and decided by the ATO, so it is not something to count on. If gaps remain after these, a loan can bridge them.
What do lenders look at?
Purpose and fee schedule. A written estimate from the clinic is the starting point.
Income and expenses. Stable income and a comfortable budget matter most. The serviceability guide shows how lenders think about it.
Credit history. A clear file widens options, though a few blemishes do not necessarily end an application.
Security and amount. Smaller amounts are often unsecured. For larger totals across several cycles, a secured loan might suit, such as the options on our secured personal loans page.
How could the borrowing be structured?
| Approach | Where it fits | Things to weigh |
|---|---|---|
| One loan for the first stage | Uncertain outcome; modest first amount | May need to reapply later |
| Larger loan covering several cycles | Planned multi-cycle treatment | Repayments begin even if you pause treatment |
| Secured loan | Larger totals or weaker credit | An asset is held as security |
| Line of credit | Flexible, drawn as needed | Discipline and credit approval needed; see personal line of credit |
How Ownright approaches fertility finance
This is a topic where kindness matters as much as numbers. Trevor Scott and the team listen first, then work out what is needed and when. We do not need to know the reasons behind your decisions, only the costs, the timeframe and your financial picture.
From there, we look at lenders and structures that suit. Because we are not tied to one bank, we can explore options a branch might not mention, including different term lengths and ways of sizing the loan so you are not borrowing more than necessary on day one. We work Australia-wide, which matters for people who travel to a clinic from regional areas.
An illustration
Illustrative scenario only. A couple plans for up to two cycles. With a fee schedule in hand, a broker might compare a loan covering the first cycle plus medication, against a larger one covering both. The first keeps repayments lighter now but means another application later. The second gives certainty but a bigger commitment. Which suits depends on income, comfort and lender policy.
Mistakes to avoid
- Borrowing without a written fee schedule, then discovering extras
- Forgetting medication, tests, storage and travel
- Taking on a repayment that only works if treatment succeeds quickly
- Making several loan applications close together (see why this can hurt your credit file)
- Assuming early super release is guaranteed
Documents to have ready
- Clinic fee schedule or quote
- Photo ID for each applicant
- Recent payslips or tax returns
- Bank statements
- A list of current debts, such as cards and a mortgage
If you are applying with a partner, combining incomes can help in some cases.
Can I take my time?
Yes. Finance can be explored well before treatment begins, which gives you room to check your credit file, gather documents and compare structures. Our loan ready checklist can help you prepare. When you are ready, we move at your pace.
What should I ask the clinic before I borrow?
A short list of questions can save a lot of uncertainty later. Ask which costs are included in the quoted cycle and which are extra, what medication is likely to cost, how long frozen embryos or eggs can be stored and at what price, and what happens to the fees if a cycle is cancelled. Ask also what the clinic’s payment terms are, because some require payment at each stage. With those answers, the broker can help you size the borrowing to the stages ahead rather than a single large figure.
Can a partner or family member help with the application?
Applying jointly can lift borrowing capacity, since both incomes are considered. Some families also use a guarantor, which can broaden lender choice but carries real responsibility for the person who guarantees the loan. If you are exploring that route, the guide on guarantors explains what is involved. Whatever the structure, we encourage open conversations about repayments, particularly if income may change during or after treatment.
Ready to talk about fertility finance?
Sounds like you’re looking for IVF or fertility finance. We’re the lending experts in treatment loans that leave room for the unexpected, so click the button below and see if you qualify when the time feels right.
How it works, step by step
- 1
Step 1
Get a written fee schedule from your clinic, including medication and extras.
- 2
Step 2
We talk through your budget, how many cycles you may plan for and any assets that could help.
- 3
Step 3
We look at lenders suited to the amount, your income and your credit history.
- 4
Step 4
Funds are paid as agreed once documents are complete, with timing depending on the lender.
Frequently asked questions
Does Medicare cover IVF?
Medicare pays benefits for a range of assisted reproductive services, but fees charged by clinics commonly exceed those benefits, so out-of-pocket costs remain. There are Medicare Safety Net arrangements that can help once expenses add up. Your clinic and Services Australia can explain what applies to your treatment and what you will pay.
How much should I borrow for IVF?
Costs differ widely by clinic, treatment and number of cycles, so the safest answer is the clinic's own written fee schedule. Because outcomes are uncertain, many people plan for more than one cycle. A broker can talk through a structure that allows for that without borrowing more than you need today.
Can I borrow for fertility treatment with bad credit?
Sometimes. Lenders look at the whole picture, and a past default does not automatically end the conversation. Smaller amounts, secured loans and guarantors may help. We listen to your story with no judgement, explain what is realistic and match you with lenders who are open to your profile.
Can I use super for IVF?
Generally no. Early release of super on compassionate grounds covers specific expenses set by law, and eligibility is decided by the ATO. Check the ATO's published list of eligible expenses before relying on it, and do not book anything based on a hoped-for approval.
Can the loan include medication, tests and travel?
Often, yes. Lenders generally accept a purpose described as fertility treatment costs, which can include clinic fees, medication, tests, counselling and travel to a clinic. A written fee schedule and a list of estimated extras help. We can talk through what to include and what to keep as a buffer.
What if I need another cycle later?
It is common to plan for this. Options may include a loan sized for the first stage with the ability to apply for more later, a facility with some headroom, or a secured structure for larger totals. Each has trade-offs, and we explain them so you can decide what feels right.