There are two stages of public funding:

• a publicly-funded consultation
• and publicly-funded treatment

If you are unsure, the first step is to make sure that you are eligible for publicly-funded healthcare in New Zealand. You can find information about that here.

You need to meet a number of criteria to receive a referral for a publicly-funded consultation with a fertility specialist. Some of these criteria are dependent on your region’s criteria. Please select your region below to see the relevant criteria and referral process for you to access a publicly-funded consultation.

Good to know:

• You can also have a privately-funded consultation to access publicly-funded treatment.

There are two ways of doing this. You can apply for a publicly-funded consultation, or you can book a privately-funded first consultation.

Publicly-funded consultation

You will need to make an appointment to see your GP who will conduct a number of tests and can refer you to the Northern Region Fertility Service (NRFS) – be sure to ask for a publicly-funded referral, (this will ensure your assessment for eligibility is publicly-funded).

The NRFS will then allocate you to an Auckland fertility clinic to see a fertility specialist. The fertility specialist will investigate the possible causes of your infertility, arrange any necessary tests, tell you about treatment options, and, if you meet the access criteria, refer you back to the Northern Region Fertility Service (NRFS) who will enrol you for publicly-funded treatment. You will be referred back to the same clinic for your treatment.

Northland: If you live in Northland your GP may initially refer you to your local secondary service, (hospital), for an initial assessment and for tests to be completed.

Private (self) funded

Make an appointment with a fertility specialist yourself (or ask you GP to give you a private referral) – you will need to pay the cost of consultation with the fertility specialist yourself. The fertility specialist will investigate the possible causes of your infertility, arrange any extra tests, tell you about treatment options, and, if you meet the access criteria, refer you to the Northern Region Fertility Service (NRFS) who will enrol you for publicly funded treatment.

The NRFS will allocate you to one of three publicly funded clinics in Auckland for your treatment. It may not be the clinic where you had your private appointment. You can stay at your chosen clinic and have private (self) funded treatment if you choose to.

Eligibility criteria for a publicly-funded consultation

• Female must be 39 years of younger at the time of referral.
• New Zealand resident(s) or work permit for at least two years (this applies to both couples, not just the woman). Proof of residency/citizenship/work visa must be provided before eligibility for treatment can be confirmed.

And

• not pregnant after one year of trying to get pregnant, OR
• a known male or female factor such as endometriosis, blocked tubes, and anovulation or a very low sperm count, OR
• have a genetic condition that can be treated with preimplantation genetic diagnosis, OR
• requires fertility preservation before undergoing medical treatment that is likely to compromise fertility, (eg before chemotherapy).

Exclusion criteria
The following criteria excludes women from being eligible for a publicly-funded consultation:

• Man or male partner aged 55yrs or older
• Woman BMI >35
• Man or male partner BMI >40

The following criteria excludes women from being eligible for publicly funded treatment

• BMI>32
• Man or male partner BMI >40
• Woman a smoker
• Man or male partner a smoker
• Illicit drug or alcohol abuse in the past 12 months
• Have two or more children to the relationship or two or more children to any relationship living at home at least half of the time.

Good to know:

• At your publicly-funded consultation you will be scored for publicly-funded treatment using the fertility Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria (CPAC) system that gives you a score out of a 100.
• You can have a private consultation to access public treatment. This is useful for those who want to be assessed sooner than the public wait time of 3-4 months.
• You can also access privately-funded treatment while on the waiting list for publicly-funded treatment. You would only lose your place on the waiting list if you achieve a successful pregnancy.

For a publicly-funded consultation, you will need a referral from your GP. You may also have a private consultation and ask to be assessed for publicly-funded treatment.

Eligibility for a publicly funded consultation in the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Lakes and Taranaki region:

• Woman's age 39 years or younger, and
• Not pregnant after 12 months of trying.
• Or a known male or female diagnosed factor (very low sperm count, endometriosis, blocked tubes, anovulation)
• Or have a genetic condition that can be treated with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis,
• Or have an indication for fertility preservation.
• Both partners must be eligible to receive health services in NZ. 

Good to know:

• At your publicly funded consultation you will be scored for publicly funded treatment using the fertility Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria (CPAC) system that gives you a score out of a 100.
• You can have a private consultation to access public treatment. This is useful for those who want to be assessed sooner than the public wait time of 3-4 months.
• You can also access privately funded treatment while on the waiting list for publicly funded treatment. You would only lose your place on the waiting list if you achieve a successful pregnancy.

For a publicly-funded consultation, you will need a referral from your GP. You may also have a private consultation and ask to be assessed for publicly-funded treatment.

To be eligible for a publicly funded consultation in the Tairawhiti, Hawkes Bay, Whanganui, Mid Central, Wairarapa, Wellington, Capital Coast and Hutt region:

• Both partners must have NZ residency, citizenship or a work visa showing at least 2 years.
  

Additionally:

• If you are 35 years or younger, you also need to have been trying to get pregnant for at least 18 months or for women over 35 years you must have been trying for 12 months,
  
• Or have a severe male or female factor, such as no or very poor quality sperm or failure to ovulate,
• Or have a genetic condition that can be treated with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis,
• Or have an indication for fertility preservation.

Good to know:

• At your publicly funded consultation you will be scored for publicly funded treatment using the fertility Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria (CPAC) system that gives you a score out of a 100.
  
• You can have a private consultation to access public treatment. This is useful for those who want to be assessed sooner than the public wait time of 3-4 months.
• You can also access privately funded treatment while on the waiting list for publicly funded treatment. You would only lose your place on the waiting list if you achieve a successful pregnancy.

Your GP will need to refer you directly to Fertility Associates Christchurch or Dunedin and specifically ask for a public consultation, otherwise you can be treated privately.

To be eligible for a publicly funded consultation in the South Island:

• Both partners must have NZ residency, citizenship or a work visa showing at least 2 years.
  
• Be 39 years of age or younger at the time of referral
• Not have two or more children under the age of 12 living at home.
• Have a BMI no greater than 32.

Additionally:

• You and your partner also need to have been trying to get pregnant for at least 12 months,
  
• Or have a severe male or female factor, such as no or very poor quality sperm or failure to ovulate.
• Or have a genetic condition that can be treated with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis,
• Or have an indication for fertility preservation.

Good to know:

• At your publicly-funded consultation you will be scored for publicly-funded treatment using the fertility Clinical Priority Assessment Criteria (CPAC) system that gives you a score out of a 100.
• You can have a private consultation to access public treatment. This is useful for those who want to be assessed sooner than the public wait time of 3-4 months.
• You can also access privately-funded treatment while on the waiting list for publicly funded treatment. You would only lose your place on the waiting list if you achieve a successful pregnancy.