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Abortion

Finding out you are pregnant is different for everyone. Regardless of your situation, this may be a stressful time where you need information and support to feel confident to make a decision that is right for you.

Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) and MSI Australia both offer free respectful, non judgemental and non directive counselling to provide accurate information and support to people experiencing an unplanned pregnancy.

Your General Practitioner (GP) may also be a good source of support. Some GPs have undertaken training to provide non-directive pregnancy counselling.

The ACT Government has provided funding so that all ACT residents (with or without a Medicare card) can access free abortions and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) at the time of abortion.

To access free services, you may need to provide proof of residency (for example, a drivers licence or a recent bill with your name on it showing your ACT address) at the time of an appointment.

To make an appointment, please contact a participating provider. The Womens Health Matters website has information and contact details for GPs and MSI Australia.

Free services include:

  • medical abortions up to nine weeks of pregnancy gestation
  • surgical abortions up to 15 weeks and six days of pregnancy gestation
  • LARCs, such as the hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), can be provided at the time of abortion if you choose
  • any medication, ultrasounds and tests that are needed.

You can also access:

  • medical abortions up to 9 weeks of pregnancy gestation through a trained GP or through telehealth services that is not a participating provider. This is at a cost.
  • surgical abortions for up to 12 weeks pregnancy gestation at Gynaecology Centres Australia in Queanbeyan depending on the surgical risks. This is at a cost.

Canberra Health Services can provide surgical abortions in specific cases including at later gestations. Your doctor or MSI Australia can refer you to Canberra Health Services if appropriate.

For access to surgical abortions that cannot be safely performed in the ACT, patients can request an appointment with an interstate MSI Australia clinic.

ACT residents who need to travel interstate to receive medical treatment may be eligible for the ACT interstate patient travel assistance scheme (IPTAS).

Your doctor, SHFPACT or MSI Australia can assist you with further information.

Medical abortion

Medical abortion means the prescription, supply or administration of an abortifacient (medicines causing an abortion, such as MS-2 Step).

  • This option is available to women and pregnant people up to nine weeks gestation and involves taking prescribed medications Mifepristone and Misoprostol. These medications are sold together as MS-2 Step.
  • Generally, a blood test for the pregnancy hormone level (B-hCG) and an ultrasound to confirm dates and the presence of the pregnancy within the uterus are required prior to proceeding with the abortion.

Surgical abortion

Surgical abortion means a surgical procedure (other than the administration or supply of an abortifacient) that causes a pregnancy to end prematurely.

  • This option is available to women and pregnant people and involves a day surgery procedure.
  • This is available in the ACT up to 15 weeks and 6 days gestation. Within the ACT, this is only available at MSI Australia. Gynaecology Centres Australia has a clinic in Queanbeyan offering surgical termination up to 12 weeks gestation.
  • Canberra Health Services can provide abortions at later gestations if they have a referral from a GP or MSI Australia.

Access to abortion medication

You can ask your GP practice if they prescribe abortion medication. You can also contact Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT for GP or telehealth provider details in your area.

GPs who prescribe medication for a medical abortion generally provide details of which pharmacies are able to dispense the medication.

Access a list of GPs and pharmacies who offer free abortion services.

Access to abortion services in the ACT

Anyone can access abortion services from ACT providers, no matter where they live.  These services are not free for interstate residents. Free abortion or LARC insertion is only available to ACT residents.

Privacy for patients

MSI Australia has a 50metre protected area called an exclusion zone. This keeps protesters away from the facility and allows private access to the facility between 7 am and 6 pm.

More information and support

Training for GPs and pharmacists

Find out more about training to prescribe or dispense abortion medication.

This page is managed by: ACT Health Directorate