Professor Michael Chapman, head of women's and children's health at the University of NSW, says it is now "almost manly not to have a child", Fairfax newspapers reported.
A new national survey found that only 2 percent of people believe male infertility is the problem when couples are childless - but more than a third of IVF treatments are for men over the age of 40.
Professor Chapman believes one solution would be to persuade men to have children before their early 30s by providing strong role models to boost the status of fatherhood.
Treasurer Peter Cosetello in 2004 brought in incentives to address Australia’s falling birth rate, including a A$4000 “baby bonus” grant and child-care rebates.
Urging Australians to have more children Mr Costello at the time suggested families should have “one for mum, one for dad and one for the country”.