IVF: How It Works, Success Rates and Costs
IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) is one of the most effective fertility treatments for couples struggling to conceive. If you’re considering IVF in Brisbane, understanding the process, success rates, and costs can help you make informed decisions. Dr. Ajita Basu offers expert fertility care, guiding you through every step of your IVF journey.
What Is IVF and How Does It Work?
IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that helps individuals and couples conceive when natural conception is not possible. The process involves stimulating the ovaries, retrieving eggs, fertilising them in a lab, and transferring an embryo back into the uterus.
Step-by-Step IVF Process
- Ovarian Stimulation – Fertility medications stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
- Egg Retrieval – A minor procedure is performed to collect mature eggs. This can be performed under general or local anaesthetic.
- Sperm Collection & Preparation – A semen sample is processed to select the healthiest sperm.
- Fertilisation in the Lab – Eggs and sperm are combined for fertilisation, or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) may be used.
- Embryo Culture & Monitoring – The fertilised egg develops into an embryo over several days.
- Embryo Transfer – The best-quality embryo is transferred into the uterus.
- Pregnancy Test – A blood test two weeks later confirms if implantation was successful.
IVF Success Rates
Success rates for IVF in Brisbane vary based on age, egg quality, and underlying fertility conditions. The average live birth rate per IVF cycle is:
- Under 35 years – ~40% success rate
- 35-39 years – ~25-30% success rate
- Over 40 years – ~10-15% success rate
While IVF offers hope to many, success depends on individual factors. Dr. Ajita Basu provides personalised fertility plans to optimise your chances.
How Much Does IVF Cost in Brisbane?
IVF costs in Brisbane vary widely depending on the clinic, medications, and treatment complexity. Dr. Basu is part of the Life Fertility team in Bowen Hills.
Life Fertility Clinic is committed to providing affordable IVF treatment options without compromising on quality or service. In comparison to other Full Service clinics in Brisbane and across Queensland, our costs are approximately $2,000-$3,000 more affordable.
The tables below outlines the approximate costs for a typical Freeze-All IVF Cycle (where all embryos are frozen). However, every cycle is tailored to your individual circumstances and treatment may vary. Once your treatment plan has been finalised, we will provide you with a quote specific to your needs.
| Treatment – First IVF Cycle in a calendar year with all embryos frozen | Medicare Item Code (if applicable) | Approx. Cost (after Medicare Rebates and Safety net refund) |
| IVF treatment cycle, doctor consultations, nurse appointments, scans, embryology | 13200 | $2,681 |
| IVF Cycle management, egg collection | 13209, 13212 | $523 (assumes pick-up is under a local anaesthetic) |
| Egg collection treatment room fee | – | $615 |
| Medication | – | $200-$300 Or: $50-$100 for Healthcare Card holders |
| Embryo freezing and 12 months storage | – | Included |
| TOTAL | $3,869 – $4,119 approx |
As part of your IVF Freeze All Cycle any suitable embryos will be frozen. You will then typically have a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle. Your first FET will cost approximately $980 out-of-pocket. Your subsequent embryo transfer cycles will cost approximately $2,090. You will receive a detailed estimate prior to your procedures. The item codes associated with an Embryo Transfer are 13209 and 13215.
- Additional Costs – ICSI, the use of donor gametes, and genetic testing have extra fees.
Private health insurance may cover some costs. Dr. Basu can guide you through financial options and rebates available for you.
For full pricing information with Dr. Basu, see Life Fertility’s pricing page.
Who Should Consider IVF?
IVF may be recommended for:
- Couples with unexplained infertility
- Women with blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis
- Men with low sperm count or motility issues
- Couples with recurrent pregnancy loss
- Individuals using donor eggs, sperm, or surrogacy
If you’ve been trying to conceive without success, IVF may be the next step.
Take the Next Step in Your IVF Journey
If you’re exploring IVF in Brisbane, Dr. Basu offers compassionate, expert fertility care tailored to your needs. Book a consultation today to discuss your options and create a personalised fertility plan.
Schedule Your IVF Consultation with Dr. Basu today.
Learn more from our Fertility knowledge base
Additional Resources
- Life Fertility Clinic – IVF
Disclaimer: This information is for general knowledge and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions regarding your health.