How to get an abortion in Australia: What you need to know

Surgical abortion of pregnancy is a definitive and safe method for pregnancy termination . If you feel you need emotional support, speak to your abortion provider or GP. After an abortion, most people feel relief – particularly if they had support, and were able to make a free and informed decision. Medication abortion is not suitable and may not work for everyone. If you have any concerns, it is important to discuss them with someone you can trust, such as a partner, friend, family member, teacher, school counsellor or health professional.
A surgical abortion may be chosen if you are more than nine weeks pregnant or prefer not to have a medication abortion. "Hampton Park was the lowest cost of the private abortion providers so private abortion services are now very much out of reach." 1800 My Options is a free and confidential service that can help you find abortion, contraception and women’s health services close to home. Post-abortion check-ups will be organised to ensure fertility control that the termination was successful, monitor your recovery, and address any concerns or complications that may arise. Complications occur in 2-5% of medical abortions, and further treatment may be required.

Although we cover a large range of the providers available, we don't cover every option available. You should always seek qualified independent advice before engaging any services or following any general advice as it is not tailored to your circumstances. We hope that the information and general advice provided will help you make a more informed decision. If you decide to apply for a product or service through our website you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product or service and not with us. This websites contains advertising, sponsored content and commissioned referrals. Typically, it is important to check your chosen clinic’s payment policy before committing to a medical abortion.
The cost can vary depending on how many weeks pregnant you are, and if you are a public or private patient. For most females, this occurs within 3–4 hours of taking the medication.  You’ll experience heavy period like bleeding from the vagina and cramps. Currently, denominational (religious) hospitals and healthcare providers aren’t required to offer abortions.
The good news is that this phase does pass, and many women find it uncomfortable but manageable. It is estimated that around a quarter of all pregnancies in Australia are unplanned. For many people abortion, also known as termination of pregnancy, is the best option in their circumstances. The Women’s does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or use of such information or advice) which is provided on the Website or incorporated into it by reference. The Women’s provide this information on the understanding that all persons accessing it take responsibility for assessing its relevance and accuracy.

"This is extremely prohibitive to young women. The cost is a real issue. Small communities don't have access," she said. For Natalie, the cost and emotional toll of her abortion was heavy, but "a drop in the ocean of what it would cost if I was forced to have a child. Each state and territory has its own law reforms, regulations and models of care, meaning the circumstances under which you can or can't get an abortion really do depend on where you live. The suitability of such general information varies from person to person, depending on individual circumstances.
No longer can a doctor, patient, or their friend or family member, be imprisoned for performing, requesting or being privy to a termination of pregnancy. Every week, Australians seeking a legal form of health care are forced to traverse their home states and territories — sometimes crossing borders — to access an abortion. She is regularly invited to comment on primary care research though mainstream and medical media and contributes articles on various health issues through newsGP and other publications. You can still have an abortion but it may require you to have surgical procedures on two consecutive days. After a surgical abortion, most women are able to return to their normal routine the following day, although strenuous exercise and heavy lifting must be avoided for 1-2 weeks. One of these is a mandatory follow up appointment to check that the medical abortion has been successful.

But restrictions imposed at public hospitals last year have provided some clues. For the purpose of medical insurance medical abortion is considered a similar procedure to the insertion of intrauterine devices and implants. GPs who provide medical abortion are considered ‘non-procedural’ by medical insurers but are advised to confirm this with their insurance providers. The aim of this article is to help Australian GPs better understand the practical and legal considerations of providing medical abortion to patients. Most women feel relieved following an abortion and feel that they made the right decision.
If you are not suitable for tele-abortion, and you live in the Sydney region, we can assist you with an 'in-clinic' appointment for medical or surgical abortion. We are thrilled with the announcement that Australian women and girls will soon find it easier to access medical abortions, closer to where they live. Medical abortion by telehealth is available to Australian women in the comfort and privacy of their own homes and communities, except in South Australia where by law, abortion care must be delivered in hospitals.

Here, you will be respected, understood and supported – exactly as you are. (d)     intentionally recording by any means, without reasonable excuse, another person accessing, attempting to access, or leaving premises at which abortions are provided, without that other person’s consent. Surgical abortions typically involve a suction technique that removes pregnancy tissue from the uterus.
By law, however, these providers must promptly and reasonably refer women seeking abortions to a known service provider. Because medication abortion is only available up to nine weeks. These people are at greater risk of missing out on abortion care.
It’s important to be well-prepared for your medical termination. If you have just found out you are pregnant and haven’t yet had any tests, please make a usual 30 minute appointment to discuss your options and have all necessary tests arranged. We will then arrange a 1 hour appointment for the medical termination of pregnancy once the tests have been performed. It has called on the federal government to expand access to low and no-cost abortion services and long-acting reversible contraceptive options to all people, regardless of visa status. On Wednesday the state’s health minister, Mary-Anne Thomas, will announce that three more hospitals – based in Melbourne’s eastern and western suburbs, and in the Mornington Peninsula – would offer surgical abortions. Surgical abortions may cost around the same as a medical abortion.