Abortion is the termination of a pregnancy, and it is legal throughout Australia with certain state-specific conditions (limits on gestational timing).
Abortion is an essential women’s health care provision, and it is a woman’s choice. One in four pregnant women in Australia will have an abortion, and women of all ages, stages in life, cultural backgrounds, and socio-economic statuses make this choice.
KEY INSIGHTS
- Abortion is legal in Australia, and one in four pregnant women in this country will have an abortion.
- Medical (medication) abortions may be performed up to 9 weeks of gestation. For a medical abortion, consult with your general practitioner, family planning, or a women’s health clinic.
- Surgical abortions are the gold standard of care and, when provided at private abortion clinics like Gynaecology Centres Australia, do not require a GP referral. Medicare cardholders in Australia will have at least part of the cost of a surgical abortion covered by the Medicare rebate.
Abortion Options in Australia
- Medical Abortion – this type of abortion uses medication, taken orally. It is suitable only for women of up to 9 weeks or 63 days of gestation (dated from the first day of the last menstrual period). It can be provided by GPs and specialist doctors (and, in some circumstances and states, by nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives). The medication is prescribed with very specific instructions to follow, and the abortion itself takes place at home.
- Surgical Abortion – this is a day-surgery procedure mostly carried out under sedation. It is available in private abortion care clinics (like Gynaecology Centres Australia in NSW) as well as in some public hospitals. Surgical abortions can be performed at any time during the first trimester, and depending on the state and the provider, sometimes into the second trimester (e.g. up to 23 weeks in WA). Access to these services is much more widely available in capital cities and large regional city centres; women in smaller regional and rural areas may have extremely limited options and be forced to travel for the care they need.
The longer a pregnancy progresses, the more difficult it can be to access an abortion.
Not all doctors and health services provide abortion services. Some do not have the resources, and some decline to do so based on a conscientious objection (whereby abortion conflicts with their personal, cultural, or religious beliefs). By law, however, these providers must promptly and reasonably refer women seeking abortions to a known service provider.
Abortions may be carried out in the public hospital system or through a private provider. While the public system may seem like a good option, it has its limitations due to:
- Potentially long waiting periods
- Not all hospitals offer abortion services
- Variable attitudes of medical staff to abortion
- No guarantee of experience/specific expertise of the providing surgeon
Private abortion clinics like Gynaecology Centres Australia are operated by empathic proceduralists and other staff who have a wealth of experience and insight into performing surgical abortions.
How to Get an Abortion in Your State
For many women, visiting their GP to confirm the pregnancy is the first step.
A lot of GPs will prescribe a medical abortion or recommend a suitable abortion services provider.
New South Wales
Women in NSW can access first-trimester surgical abortions through the public hospital system (with a GP referral) or via a private abortion services provider. Early second-trimester abortions may be available at some private services (under 20 weeks gestation) or in a hospital; after 22 weeks, they are available only in certain special circumstances and must be performed by a specialist gynaecologist doctor after secondary, independent consultation.
Women should note that opting for a surgical abortion through the public health system commonly means longer waiting times for care at a time when it is both physically and psychologically important that procedures are performed as promptly as possible.
ACT
Women who physically reside within the ACT have access to free public hospital abortion services – although long waiting periods associated with the public health system can be a detrimental factor in terms of pregnancy termination, which requires timely care. There are also some private provider options.
Victoria
Surgical abortion services are available in Melbourne and in some regional centres. Women should see their GP or call 1800 My Options (1800 696 784) for information about local service providers. Access is provided in this state up to 24 weeks of gestation and thereafter in special circumstances. The Royal Women’s Hospital also offers information, as does Sexual Health Victoria.
Queensland
Surgical abortions are available up to a maximum of 22 weeks in some public hospitals or through a private clinic like Gynaecology Centres Australia or a specialist doctor in a day surgery centre (private clinics may have lower gestational cut-off times).
To discuss your options, your GP can help, or contact 13HEALTH (13 432 584) or Children by Choice on 1800 177 725 – this resource offers an online map of Queensland abortion providers.
Tasmania
Information and advice for women in Tasmania can be found by visiting Women’s Health Tasmania, Pulse Youth Health Service, The Link Youth Health Service, or your GP.
Surgical abortion in this state is available at the Royal Hobart Hospital, the North West General Hospital, and Launceston General Hospital (GP referral is required for these). Private providers also offer this service as well as early medical abortions.
South Australia
In South Australia, women can access initial abortion advice, support, and information through their GP or by contacting the Pregnancy Advisory Centre on 08 7117 8999 or visiting Children by Choice or SHINE SA.
Western Australia
GPs and, in certain circumstances, nurse practitioners and medically endorsed midwives, can provide medical abortions in this state up to 9 weeks (63 days) of gestation. For surgical abortions up to 23 weeks, only one doctor needs to be involved in this care. After 23 weeks, two independent doctors are legally required to consider and approve the procedure.
Women should first visit their GP for confirmation of the pregnancy. In WA, women can call the statewide abortion care helpline on 1800 CHOICE (1800 424 642) for phone support, information, counselling, options, and details for local abortion service providers. More WA-based information can be found here.
Northern Territory
Abortion is available to women in the Northern Territory – although the remoteness of many communities in this region can make access considerably more difficult than it is in other parts of Australia. Women should see their nearest healthcare provider to confirm the pregnancy.
Comprehensive information about accessing abortion in the NT is available here. Women who live remotely should speak with their healthcare provider about the NT Patient Assistance Travel Scheme, and for audio information about pregnancy options in Aboriginal languages, email here.
Private Abortions in NSW – Gynaecology Centres Australia
Gynaecology Centres Australia offers compassionate, legal first-trimester surgical abortions in NSW. We have been operational since 1998.
We have clinics in Sydney as well as Newcastle, Gosford, and Wollongong.
Unlike public hospitals, we do not have protracted waiting periods; you will get the care you need, and your procedure performed as promptly as possible after consulting with us. Only one appointment is necessary.
While there is an out-of-pocket private fee to be paid, we keep the cost of abortion to our patients as low as possible and bill some of the fee to Medicare for Medicare cardholders.
For the very best of care, contact us online or call during business hours to book a consultation:
Newcastle (02) 4962 4999
Gosford (02) 4324 5176
Sydney (02) 9158 0686
Wollongong (02) 4227 4100