To: The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Aged Care

TL;DR 
The Problem: 88,000+ Australians doing IVF face cancer-level mental health stress but can’t access proper psychological support through Medicare. Current system is broken - some clinics offer nothing, others just 1 session.

The Cost: Families choose between $15K+ medical treatment OR mental health support. Many drop out, wasting taxpayer money on failed cycles.

The Solution: Create dedicated Medicare items for IVF psychology (15 sessions/year, couples therapy, telehealth, group programs).

Why Now: Minister Butler is already reforming IVF sector after clinic scandals. Perfect timing.

What We Want: Sign to demand proper Medicare funding so no Australian faces fertility treatment without mental health support.

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The Crisis
Over 88,000 Australians undergo IVF annually, experiencing anxiety and depression rates comparable to cancer patients. Yet families face an impossible choice: spend thousands on medical treatment OR access essential psychological support.

Real Stories:
 • Sarah (Perth): Used all 10 Medicare therapy sessions in months, left without support through 3 failed cycles
 • Emma (Geraldton): No IVF specialists nearby, long telehealth waitlists
 • Michael & wife (Fremantle): Marriage nearly collapsed, couldn’t afford couples therapy alongside $15K IVF costs

The Broken System
Medicare technically “includes” psychological support in IVF items, but delivery varies wildly:
 • Some clinics don’t mention it exists
 • Others limit patients to 1 session per cycle
 • Many treat it as optional “education” not mental health care
 • Patients can’t choose their therapist
 • No after-hours support when crises actually happen

The Smart Solution
We’re not asking for new spending - we’re asking to fix how existing money is used. Research shows therapeutic relationships are crucial (studies show people need to try 3+ therapists to find their match). Yet current system forces patients to accept whoever the clinic employs.

Establish dedicated Medicare items for:
✅ Individual IVF psychology (15 sessions/year)

✅ Couples IVF therapy

✅ Telehealth access (regardless of location or format)

✅ Group programs (40% more cost-effective)

✅ Culturally responsive, trauma-informed & neurodiversity-affirming care

Why This Saves Money
Preventive psychological support means:
 • Higher pregnancy success rates (fewer repeat cycles)
 • Lower dropout rates (less wasted investment)
 • Better treatment adherence
 • Fewer crisis interventions later
Every failed cycle costs taxpayers thousands. Every dropout wastes medical investment.

Why Now
Minister Butler is already prioritizing IVF reform after major clinic incidents. The Fertility Society of Australia calls for psychological care as clinical standard. With 1 in 6 couples experiencing infertility, this affects every community.
The economic case is clear. The human case is compelling. The political opportunity is right now.

What We’re Demanding
The Australian Government immediately establish dedicated Medicare item numbers for IVF psychological support, ensuring no Australian faces fertility treatment without essential mental health care.

Building a family shouldn’t cost your mental health.

This petition is initiated by Elizabeth Bancroft, Clinical & Counselling Psychologist and founder of Hope | Affirm | Thrive, an IVF specific psychology practice in Western Australia.

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Ready to collaborate? We welcome partnerships with patient advocates, fertility organisations, and anyone passionate about improving IVF care.

Follow our advocacy:
 • Website: www.hopeaffirmthrive.com.au
 • Email updates: adminIVF@hopeaffirmthrive.com