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Abortion

Information about abortion services that are available in the ACT and how to access them.

It is legal to get an abortion in the ACT. You can use abortion services in the ACT no matter where you live.

Getting an abortion in the ACT

People who live in the ACT can access abortion services for free.

Free services include:

  • medical abortions up to 9 weeks of pregnancy
  • surgical abortions up to 16 weeks of pregnancy
  • long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)
  • medicines, ultrasounds and tests
  • counselling.

You may need to show that you live in the ACT to access free services. You can show a driver licence or a recent bill with your name and address on it. You do not need a Medicare card.

You can also see a trained GP, nurse practitioner, endorsed midwife or telehealth service not on this list. They may charge a fee.

If you don’t live in the ACT you will need to pay for abortion services.

No cost abortion service providers

Find out more about no cost abortion service providers in the ACT, including a list of no cost abortion service providers in the ACT.

Medical abortion

Medical abortion involves taking medicines that cause a pregnancy to end.

This option is available up to 9 weeks gestation. It involves taking a medicine called MS-2 Step.

Learn more about medical abortion on HealthDirect.

Getting abortion medicine

You need a prescription to get abortion medicine. People who can prescribe abortion medicine in the ACT are:

  • trained doctors
  • nurse practitioners
  • endorsed midwives.

When you have a prescription you can take it to a pharmacy to get the medicine.

Women’s Health Matters has a list of GPs and pharmacies in the ACT who provide abortion medicine for free.

You can also:

Surgical abortion

Surgical abortion is a surgical procedure that causes a pregnancy to end.

This involves a day procedure in a clinic or hospital.

Learn more about surgical abortion on HealthDirect.

Access to surgical abortion

In the ACT you can get a surgical abortion up to 16 weeks gestation at MSI Australia. Protesters cannot go within 50 metres of the MSI Australia clinic in Canberra.

Canberra Health Services will consider abortions at later gestations if they have a referral. A referral needs to come from a GP or MSI Australia.

If you are over 16 weeks gestation talk to either:

  • your doctor
  • SHFPACT
  • MSI Australia.

Conscientious objection

Some health practitioners choose not to provide abortion services. A health practitioner who does not want to provide abortion services must say they have a conscientious objection. They must then either:

  • give you information on how to find a service that can provide an abortion
  • transfer your care to a service that can provide an abortion.

Training for health practitioners

Find out about training to prescribe or dispense abortion medication.