Greater access to no-cost abortions will assist women and people who can become pregnant to be in control of and make informed decisions about their health care.
08 April 2024
The ACT’s accessible abortions scheme has expanded to include no-cost medical abortions at selected general practices in the ACT.
The ACT Government is committed to removing the financial barrier to Canberrans in need of abortion services.
Providing no-cost abortions at more locations will assist women and people who can become pregnant to be in control of, and make informed decisions about, their health care based on what is best for them and their circumstances.
No-cost medical and surgical abortions have been available since April 2023 at MSI Australia in Civic. This is part of an investment to provide all ACT residents, including those without a Medicare card, access to free abortion services.
The ACT Government has now partnered with Women’s Health Matters to support two general practices that offer no-cost medical abortions.
Other providers may participate in the future, providing more options for Canberrans.
People who access these general practice services will also be able to access pathology, imaging and pharmacy services at no cost from participating providers.
This will ensure the entire abortion process can be provided at no cost to the client.
“Providing additional no-cost medical abortion options, in different regions of Canberra and through different providers, gives women and gender-diverse people more choices over their reproductive health care,” Women’s Health Matters CEO Lauren Anthes said.
“We have heard that it can be difficult to know where to go when you need a medical abortion in Canberra. Having a publicly available list of no-cost, non-judgmental and pro-choice providers will make it easier for women and gender-diverse people to find the care that they need.”
Access to safe, timely and free abortion services allows Canberrans to obtain appropriate, safe and timely care, and avoid potential detrimental impacts to their mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Medical abortions are available up to nine weeks gestation. MSI Australia will also continue to provide no-cost medical abortions up to nine weeks, and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks gestation.
Free long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) will also be offered for free at the time of abortion at both MSI Australia and participating GPs.
For more information on participating providers, visit www.womenshealthmatters.org.au/resources/no-cost-abortion-services.
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