If you want us to have more babies, give a rebate for egg freezing

Eleven days before Treasurer Jim Chalmers encouraged Australians to have more babies to boost the dwindling birth rate, I received an email from my fertility provider asking for patients to donate their frozen eggs.

Australia is experiencing one of the lowest fertility rates in history. 

The number of children an Australian woman is expected to have in her lifetime is now 1.6, significantly lower than the international average of 2.3.

Just imagine how much more this is going to go down if federal and state governments don’t do more to support those struggling to fall pregnant and those not ready to start a family.

We’re having children later in life because many of us are prioritising careers.

But unfortunately, some women are missing their fertility windows altogether.

What about a rebate for egg freezing so women have options?

This may be freezing them when they’re younger so they have a better success rate if

they go to use them or donating their eggs when they’ve finished having their families.

I’ve been advocating for governments to do an egg freezing incentive for at least the past three years but in my many chats with politicians and staffers, I’m told “taxpayers aren’t going to want to fund that”.

On one hand, we’re being asked to have more babies because it’s good for the

economy and on the other, there’s a shortage of egg donors.

If no one is willing to help, expect Australia’s birth rate to decline even further in the

future. 

- Originally published in The West Australian on July 8, 2024.