No cost abortions now available in the ACT


Released 20/04/2023 - Joint media release

From today, Canberrans can access free medical abortions up to nine weeks and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks at MSI Australia’s Canberra clinic.

The ACT Government is investing more than $4.6 million over four years to provide all ACT residents, including those without a Medicare card, access to free abortion services.

Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women Yvette Berry said making abortions free was a key commitment in the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-26.

“The ACT Government is committed to ensuring that women and people who can become pregnant can be in control of and make informed decisions about their health care based on what is best for them and their circumstances,” said Minister Berry.

Minister for Health Rachel Stephen-Smith said free long-acting reversible contraception will also be made available, if wanted, at the time of abortion.

“This is about providing women and people who need an abortion with access to the right supports and services without stigmatisation or financial burden.

“Abortion is a health service and not being able to access appropriate care in a timely way can have a detrimental impact on a person’s mental and physical health as well as socioeconomic consequences.

“The ACT Government will continue to invest in appropriate, accessible and equitable healthcare to ensure all Canberrans can access the right care, at the right time,” said Minister Stephen

Medical abortions up to nine weeks gestation are available through a trained GP, telehealth service or MSI Australia (formally known as Marie Stopes Australia). MSI Australia also offers surgical abortions up to 16 weeks gestation.

Today’s announcement means that no-cost surgical abortions and long-acting reversible contraceptives at the time of surgical abortion will be available at MSI Australia over a four-year funding period.

As a first step in providing wider access to free abortion services, no-cost medical abortions and free long-acting reversible contraceptives will also be available from MSI Australia from this week while negotiations continue to expand the scheme to other providers.

“The ACT Government will continue to engage with service providers, including general practices and our non-government community partners, as we work to expand services across the ACT,” said Minister Stephen-Smith.

Quote attributable to MSI Canberra Clinic Nurse Unit Manager Melissa Ryan:

“Abortion care is basic healthcare and it is wonderful that the ACT has stepped up and become the first jurisdiction in Australia to fund free access to abortion care.

“We regularly see people who are struggling to pay for the cost of abortion care, and this will make such a huge difference to the lives of countless people.

“It means women and pregnant people in the ACT can make an informed decision without having to worry about the financial burden it will have.”

Quote attributable to Sexual Health & Family Planning Executive Director Tim Bavinton:

“Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) welcomes these next steps to deliver on the ACT Government’s budget commitment to improve abortion access in the Canberra community, and we look forward to working with government, NGOs and other primary health care providers and services to ensure timely and equitable access to abortion and long-acting reversible contraception options.”

Quote attributable to Women’s Centre for Health Matters chief executive officer Lauren Anthes:

“We’re pleased to see this first step toward making abortion free for all people in the ACT. It will start to remove one of the biggest barriers to reproductive choice faced by women and people with uteruses in the ACT.

“We know that choice, not just the choice to have an abortion, but also in the type of abortion and where its accessed are critical, as are timeliness and accessibility. For this reason, we look forward to seeing the scheme expand to include other providers and practitioners who have been providing these critical services to our community.

“It’s important that their expertise, and the experiences of people who have accessed abortion, are considered in the scheme’s design and promotion.”

- Statement ends -

Yvette Berry, MLA | Rachel Stephen-Smith, MLA | Media Releases


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