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Looking at fertility options in Australia? Here are some of the costs you can expect.

People often talk about how much it costs to raise a child — but for many couples, there’s also some cost involved in falling pregnant.

Australian couples who are struggling to conceive have access to a number of fertility options, so if this is something you’re currently exploring we’ve rounded up some of the costs you can expect to pay.

RELATED: 4 things you should do if you’re worried about your fertility in your 20s.

Of course, it will differ from one place to the next, and is largely dependent on the specifics of the treatment, so these figures are a general guide for you.

1. IVF and ICSI

The total upfront cost of one cycle of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is generally between $8000 and $10,000; of this, the out-of-pocket cost will be upwards of $3000-4000. These prices will be slightly reduced for subsequent cycles; while a cycle of Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) will cost slightly more than IVF.

In order to be eligible for a Medicare rebate, you will need a referral from your doctor or specialist obstetrician/gynaecologist that is valid for 12 months or three months respectively. It will cover things like blood tests, ultrasounds, and standard medications — although you may be prescribed medications that aren’t covered.

RELATED: Sonia Kruger on her IVF experience.

Also, if you don’t have private health insurance, you could end up paying $1000 to $2000 more for private hospital care and an anaesthetist.  Most hospital and day surgery fees — which could include egg collection and/or embryo transfer — are covered by private health insurance.

 

 2. Artificial insemination/IUI

Artificial insemination — where the semen of a male partner or donor is inserted into the uterus — is covered by Medicare.

According to IVF Australia, you can expect an out-of-pocket expense around the $1700 mark. Additional costs apply when accessing donor sperm.

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 3. Egg freezing

Source: iStock.

 

In total, the egg freezing process can cost between $8000 to $12000 upfront (around $10,000 seems most common). This includes the collection of eggs and freezing them, generally through a process known as vitrification. There can also be storage fees.

If you're entitled to the Medicare rebate, which you may be if you have a medical reason for freezing your eggs, you can generally expect an out-of-pocket price similar to that of a regular IVF cycle.

RELATED: "I'm 23, single, and freezing my eggs. This is why..."

However, fertility preservation for so-called 'social' reasons (for instance, young women pre-emptively preserving their fertility for the future) isn't covered by Medicare. (Post continues after gallery.)

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4. Surrogacy

There are a number of processes, and therefore costs, associated with surrogacy. According to IVF Australia, this includes consultations, counselling and legal advice leading up to the arrangement. Then, if the parent is using her own eggs, they are collected through an IVF treatment and fertilised with her partner's sperm. The embryo is then inseminated into the surrogate mother.

Currently, couples undertaking IVF for surrogacy purposes are not eligible for a Medicare rebate, so the cost for one cycle can cost around $10,000 (or more in some cases).

RELATED: Why donor-conceived children need to know their origins.

In Australia, it is illegal to pay a surrogate mother for her services, beyond any medical costs or other out-of-pocket expenses, like travel and maternity clothing, associated with the pregnancy. For this reason, some couples seek arrangements in countries where commercial surrogacy is legal.

5. Adoption

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have adopted three children. (Getty)

 

The legal and administrative costs of adoption can vary from one state to another, and are also different for local and overseas adoptions.

RELATED: Why aren't men being taken to task in the fertility debate?

For instance, local adoption in NSW incurs departmental fees of around $2782 and legal fees of $834 (some of which is waived for permanent care placements); while departmental fees for international adoption are around $9700 for the first adoption. In Western Australia, the administrative and legal fees of local adoption amount to around $2000.

Have you ever undergone a fertility treatment? What was the experience like?