20,000 babies a year, but are the records right? IVF system under fire in Australia

Time of India

6 days ago

An Australian
sperm donor
has received incorrect 'family lists' that falsely identified him as the father of children born via IVF. The clinic told him he had fathered seven children across four families, yet a DNA test confirmed that none were genetically his.
This revelation has sent shockwaves through Australian donors, families, and regulators, where one in every 18 babies is conceived through IVF.
Approximately 20,000 babies are born each year from
IVF treatment
in Australia, according to the Australian and New Zealand Assisted Reproduction Database.
The donor, known as Mark, received several misleading family updates from his clinic, in some cases, listing children with the wrong sex or birthdate. In one case, a child he believed he had fathered did not match the provided details. He told ABC News, 'I've been told these children were mine. … I was devastated'.
These 'family lists' are kept to inform donors about the children conceived using their sperm. For donor-conceived individuals, these lists help connect siblings and maintain medical histories.
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The error has left donors unsure of their biological ties. Clinicians at Melbourne IVF,
IVF Australia
, and another leading clinic, all come under Virtus Health, which has faced the accusation of flawed recordkeeping.
The misstep adds to a growing list of
IVF scandals
in Australia and calls for federal IVF regulation and DNA testing. Recent errors, such as IVF embryo mix‑ups at Monash IVF, have led to pregnancies with the wrong embryo.
After this incident came to light, Monash IVF's share dropped, and their chief executive, Michael Knapp, quit the company.
FAQs
How much does IVF cost in Australia?
The cost of an IVF cycle ranges approximately from $11,336 with out-of-pocket expenses around $5,799 for the initial cycle, and about $5,126 for subsequent cycles after Medicare rebates. Some clinics offer lower costs, around $3,869 to $4,119 after rebates, depending on services included.
Is IVF going to be free in Australia?
IVF is not free but is subsidized by Medicare, which covers a significant portion of fertility treatment costs, including IVF, ICSI, and frozen embryo transfer. Additional rebates apply once the Medicare Safety Net threshold is reached. Some states, like NSW, offer a one-off $2,000 rebate to reduce costs.
Who is eligible for IVF in Australia?
Eligibility depends on medical assessment; generally, women unlikely to conceive or carry a pregnancy without treatment or at risk of passing genetic conditions qualify. Eligibility criteria vary by state but require a doctor's satisfaction of these conditions.
What is the waiting period for IVF in Australia?
Waiting times vary by clinic and state. Public system waits can be longer, often several months to over a year, while private clinics may have shorter waits, depending on demand and resources. Specific waiting periods are not uniformly fixed and depend on individual circumstances and location.