Has the IVF Industry lost its way and what should we do about it

Candid Conversation with Dr Karin Hammarberg

Hosted by Prof Vin Massaro

Since the birth of the first IVF baby in Australia in 1980, IVF has allowed countless people to achieve their dreams of parenthood and demand continues to grow. In 2024, there were more than 20,000 babies born after IVF in Australia, which translates to one in every 16 births. 

In the early days of IVF, Australian researchers were at the forefront of research and their discoveries improved the chance of a baby dramatically. Improved success rates, generous government subsidies for treatment, and social acceptance of non-traditional families has seen increasing demand for IVF and the industry is booming. In 2025, the IVF market was estimated to be worth more than USD $700 million, and it is expected to grow by more than 8% over the next few years. 

IVF treatment is psychologically, physically and financially demanding and despite significant advances, about half of those who start IVF walk away without a baby. While clinics talk up the chance of a baby with IVF and the media focuses on happy ending IVF stories, those who end up with nothing are often forgotten. 

Reports of very serious adverse events in the IVF industry in the last couple of years, including the wrong embryos being transferred to women, prompted the federal government to commission a review of the conditions under which the industry operates. This review concluded that the current model of self-regulation is no longer fit for purpose and that a more arms-length accreditation process is needed to safeguard patients' interests. 

In this conversation Karin will discuss the changing landscape of the assisted reproductive technology (ART) industry, where it started and how the corporatisation of the industry has affected the patient experience. She will also provide an update on the regulatory changes that are likely to be enforced in the next couple of years and how they might improve transparency, accountability, and patient care.

Dr Karin Hammarberg, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Global and Women's Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University.
Karin is a Registered Nurse with 20 years experience as clinical co-ordinator of IVF programs. She completed her PhD in 2006. Her main areas of research interest are the psychosocial aspects of infertility and infertility treatment, including donor conception and surrogacy; health and development of children born as a result of assisted conception; infertility care in resource-constrained settings; fertility and preconception health promotion; the transition to parenthood; the healthcare needs of women diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy; and parenting of children with disabilities.  Karin is a member of Melbourne Forum.

Please join us to hear Karin as she discusses the evolution, corporatisation, and self-regulation of IVF – and if practices and patient care can be improved.