If you’re accessing your super for IVF, two different systems can help with the costs — and they’re easy to confuse. The compassionate release of superannuation helps pay for your fertility treatment. Medicare, including the Medicare Safety Net, helps with the psychiatric assessment that supports your application — reducing what you pay out of pocket for that consultation and for other out-of-hospital medical services across the year.
Two different kinds of help — and why people mix them up
These are separate systems with separate rules:
- Compassionate release of super is an Australian Taxation Office (ATO) process that lets you withdraw some of your superannuation early to pay for your IVF treatment.
- Medicare rebates give you money back for eligible medical services, such as the psychiatric assessment you attend as part of your super-access application.
One funds the treatment; the other reduces the cost of the medical consultations along the way.
Medicare rebates for your psychiatric assessment
The psychiatric assessment FertilityPsych provides is a specialist medical consultation delivered by telehealth. With a valid referral from your GP (or a participating nurse practitioner), it attracts a Medicare rebate under the referred psychiatric assessment items — MBS Item 291 for an in-rooms attendance, or its telehealth equivalent MBS Item 92435, which is the one that applies to a video appointment.
The applicable item number will depend on the patient’s individual circumstances, including whether a referred psychiatric assessment item has already been claimed within the previous 12 months.
- A GP referral is required for the Medicare rebate to apply.
- It’s an assessment and report item — the psychiatrist provides a detailed report to your GP — not ongoing psychiatric treatment.
- Because it’s an out-of-hospital service, the out-of-pocket portion counts toward your Medicare Safety Net for the calendar year.
For the current fee and rebate that apply to your appointment, see our Fees page.
What is the Medicare Safety Net?
The Medicare Safety Net gives you higher Medicare benefits once your out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital services reach set thresholds within a calendar year. There are two parts.
Original Medicare Safety Net (OMSN)
Once your gap costs (the difference between the Medicare benefit and the Schedule Fee) reach $594.40 in 2026, Medicare increases your benefit to 100% of the Schedule Fee (up from 85%) for out-of-hospital services for the rest of the year.
Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN)
Once your out-of-pocket costs reach the EMSN threshold — $2,699.10 for general patients, or $861.20 for concession-card holders and families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A in 2026 — Medicare pays 80% of your further out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital services (or the item’s EMSN benefit cap, whichever is lower) for the remainder of the year.
Both thresholds reset on 1 January each year and are indexed to the cost of living (CPI).
How the Safety Net can help during a fertility journey
Fertility journeys often involve multiple out-of-hospital medical services — specialist consultations, pathology, imaging and the psychiatric assessment. The out-of-pocket portions of these accumulate toward your Safety Net thresholds. The Australian Government’s own reviews have found Safety Net benefits are concentrated in assisted reproductive technology and obstetric services.
If you’re part of a couple or family, registering with Services Australia lets you combine your costs so you reach the threshold sooner.
Practical steps to make the most of Medicare
- Ask your GP for a referral before your psychiatric assessment, so the consultation attracts a Medicare rebate.
- Pay your account and then claim, so the payment is “verified” and counts toward your Safety Net.
- If you’re a couple or family, register for the Medicare Safety Net with Services Australia to combine your expenses.
- Track your progress toward the threshold through your Medicare online account (myGov) or the Express Plus Medicare app.
What the Safety Net doesn’t cover
- In-hospital services, and services not listed on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), don’t count toward the thresholds.
- Your IVF treatment funded through the compassionate release of super is not a Medicare service, so it doesn’t attract a Medicare rebate or count toward the Safety Net.
- Bulk-billed services generally don’t create an out-of-pocket cost, so they don’t add to your threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Medicare Safety Net cover IVF treatment?
No. IVF treatment itself isn’t covered by the Medicare Safety Net. The Safety Net reduces your out-of-pocket costs for out-of-hospital medical services — such as specialist consultations, pathology and the psychiatric assessment — not the fertility procedure. Some fertility treatments attract separate Medicare rebates through your fertility specialist, and your IVF treatment can be funded through the compassionate release of super.
Can I get a Medicare rebate for the psychiatric assessment?
Yes, with a valid GP or nurse-practitioner referral. The assessment is a specialist consultation (MBS Item 291, or telehealth equivalent 92435) and attracts a Medicare rebate. The out-of-pocket portion also counts toward your Medicare Safety Net.
What is the Medicare Safety Net threshold in 2026?
In 2026 the Original Medicare Safety Net threshold is $594.40. The Extended Medicare Safety Net threshold is $2,699.10 for general patients, and $861.20 for concession-card holders and families receiving Family Tax Benefit Part A. Thresholds reset each 1 January.
Is the compassionate release of super the same as a Medicare rebate?
No — they’re separate. The compassionate release of super is an ATO process that lets you withdraw super to pay for treatment. A Medicare rebate is money back from Medicare for an eligible medical service, such as your psychiatric assessment.
This information is general in nature and current as at 2026; Medicare Safety Net thresholds are indexed and change each January. It isn’t financial, tax or legal advice and doesn’t replace advice about your individual circumstances. For the latest thresholds and eligibility, see Services Australia and the Australian Taxation Office. FertilityPsych provides psychiatric assessments — we are not financial or tax advisers.
Related: Access super for IVF · How to claim your rebate · Our specialists · FAQs
