NSW is planning to offer rebates to people undergoing fertility treatment at private clinics. 

The state will pay a $2,000 rebate to up to 12,000 women going through IVF as part of new measures in its upcoming budget. 

It is also offering publicly-funded IVF treatment as part of an $80 million package announced by NSW Treasurer Matt Kean over the weekend. 

The package includes rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing, as well as five days of paid fertility treatment leave for teachers, nurses and other public servants across NSW. 

More funding will go to fertility preservation services for patients with cancer and other medical needs too. 

About one in 20 births currently involve some form of assisted reproductive treatment, with one in six couples experiencing fertility issues.

The Treasurer says the financial assistance will make NSW one of the most affordable places in the world to receive fertility treatment.

The rebate scheme should open on January 1, but the government says women who have had an eligible procedure from October will be allowed to apply.

Payments will be made to 12,000 women initially, after which the NSW government will review whether private fees have stayed “low and competitive”, before potentially extending the program.