Canberra fertility clinic to close, patients look for other IVF services

A leading Canberra assisted reproductive technology and fertility clinic which also serves surrounding areas of regional NSW will close before Christmas.

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Patients of the Virtus Health-owned IVFAustralia Canberra clinic in Deakin will need to consider alternative providers to access fertility treatments.

IVF Dr Ben Stephens from IVF Australia in November 2025. Picture by Keegan Carroll

IVFAustralia said the decision had been made to close the Canberra clinic after two specialist doctors decided to partner with another provider. As a result, the clinic would close from December 16.

"Searches for both new fertility specialists and alternative premises proved unsuccessful," the spokesperson said.

"Patients in treatment can have final embryo transfers up until 21 December.

"We understand this news may be upsetting for patients, and our priority is to support them with care and understanding through this transition."

IVFAustralia would continue to store eggs, sperm or embryos for patients at other locations until instructed otherwise.

The clinic is IVFAustralia's main treatment hub for patients in regional areas including Wagga Wagga, Albury, Griffith, Goulburn, the Southern Highlands and the Snowy Mountains.

"Our patient care team is taking the time needed to sensitively guide our patients through these personal and sensitive circumstances,'' the spokesperson said.

ACT Health Minister Marisa Paterson said the impending closure would be a source of "distress and uncertainty" for many Canberrans.

"For individuals and families undergoing fertility treatment, this is an already challenging and deeply personal journey, and this news may add further stress at an already difficult time,'' Dr Paterson said.

"I encourage affected patients to engage with IVF Australia to ensure they receive all relevant medical records, treatment information and support needed to make a smooth transition to a new provider."

Other IVF providers in Canberra include Genea Canberra and Compass Fertility.

Virtus Health operates 20 other clinics in NSW under the IVFAustralia brand name. Its other brands in the Virtus Health network include Queensland Fertility Group and Melbourne IVF.

In 2025, the ACT government amended a 2024 law designed to give children conceived via donor eggs or sperm information about the donor. The law had opened the door to parents accessing identifying information about donors from the child's birth.

Amid claims the law had halted the supply of donor eggs and sperm in the ACT, it was amended give children access to identifying information, like names and addresses, when they are aged 16 to 18. Parents and children have access to non-identifying information, like ethnicity and medical history, from birth.