PZ, We started off seeing a GP, who sent DH off for a semen analysis, even though he was DD's father, young fit etc, i think they will still request one. We never had to pay for these (first one came back a bit iffy, 2nd came back with no problems) I think they are all done/paid for through medicare.

Once we went to our FS. (We are in QLD btw) our first visit was $180. He wanted a lap done, which he booked me in for privately for 2 weeks later. His booking fee was $200. His fee for the Lap, D&C and Dye was $572.30, obviously keeping in mind that every specialist will have a difference in pricing. On top of this, we had the anaethetist ($626.40 after the $200 pay early discount) the assistant to our FS ($99.13) and pathology ($146.70) My bed and theatre fees for the 1 day were $1014. I had an ultrasound done when we saw the GP which was around the $200 mark i think. Our FS visits were around the $140 mark, but once we paid for our Initial Admin fee to the IVF group ( $185) we didnt have to pay for our visits to him, until we got the +ve result, then i had 2 visits to him, before we had to change to another OB as he was retiring
Just checked my book i wrote everything in, and he also did an ultrasound before we started our IVF cycle that cost $150. Our wait list for the FS was somewhere around 6-8 weeks i think? But that was only due to us trying to work in around DH's roster and the fact that the FS was going on holidays for a couple of weeks.

Now, after my Lap, I was put on Synarel (a horrible nasty nose spray) which is around $100 per bottle, but due to my being diagnosed with endometriosis, our FS was able to get a number from medicare for us to have it for around $30 per bottle. Initially we were going to go on clomid, but once i had the lap, he said we would need to go to IVF, so I can't help you with any other drugs on that front. I don't think you will get anything back from medicare with medications. We were extremely fortunate that our PHI pays out on prescription meds if they cost you more than $100. It may pay to look at one of the cheap chemist places, like Chemist Warehouse for Clomid etc.. you can definately save some money through them. I got 2 of my 3 medications through them straight after our IVF embie transfer, and it cost me less than our local chemist charged me for just 1 of them when i ran out a couple of weeks later.

Ok, I'm not sure if i have helped with any questions? Being that you are in Melbourne, some girls might know of someone great that you can see?
Could you maybe start with finding someone who has some knowledge with clomid and try a few cycles before moving on to more costly options?
Even if you have to go on a public waiting list, it would be far better to get on there now, then wait another 12 months to start looking. That would be 12 months that you could have been on the waiting list IYKWIM? There's nothing to say that you might just catch that eggie while you are on a list don't forget.
Is it in Melbourne or Sydney that I have heard there is a public list for FS and IVF? I'm sure I have seen some girls mention it on here? Still costs you some money, but i think it may be quite a bit cheaper than going fully private?

If my post seems all over the place, I apologise.. I am in the middle of making a huge mess in the kitchen and other family stuff, but saw you were on line and wanted to post something in reply to you.