Summary
Abortion is legal in Victoria. Most Victorian abortion service providers are located in Melbourne but there are clinics in rural Victoria. Costs vary between clinics. Medicare covers a portion of the cost. Some clinics provide discounted fees to students, health care card holders and others.
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Abortion is legal in Victoria. Abortion services are located in both Melbourne and rural Victoria, although the majority of service providers are in Melbourne.
Costs vary between clinics but all procedures are covered, in part, by Medicare. Discounts are available for concession card holders. Even if you are not covered by Medicare, fees may be reimbursed by private health insurance providers. Costs also depend on how long you have been pregnant and whether you will be having a surgical or medical abortion.
Abortion services in rural areas
Abortion services tend to be concentrated in metropolitan Melbourne. There are services in some rural areas and options should be discussed with your doctor or you can contact your local community or women’s health service (see the Where to get help section of this fact sheet for details about how to access the Directory of Local Community or Women’s Health Services). Most Melbourne service providers cater for rural women and offer a ‘same day service’.
How to find an abortion service
Most abortion service providers in Victoria are listed in this fact sheet, but you can also find information through your doctor or other health services.
Abortion services are provided by some of the large public hospitals in Melbourne and some rural hospitals. Private services are listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Pregnancy Termination Services’. Your doctor (GP), community health service or women’s health service may also have information about local providers.
There are also some abortion services available in rural areas that are not listed below. Your doctor can provide you with details of these services.
How to choose an abortion service
There are a number of issues to consider when you choose an abortion service:
- Cost – some public hospitals provide a small number of abortions at no cost. If you have a Medicare card, out-of-pocket expenses vary with private providers and range from around $200 to $500. If you do not have a Medicare card, out-of-pocket costs can be higher. It may be possible to have your health fund billed if you have private insurance. Fees vary based on how long you have been pregnant and whether you are having a medical or surgical abortion.
- Discounts and waiving fees – there is often a discount for students or health care card holders. Some providers may reduce or waive the fee if you are experiencing financial difficulty.
- Privacy – some services are known to attract anti-abortion picketers and so may have an alternative entrance to maintain your privacy. Ask over the phone beforehand if you are concerned.
- Same day service – some services may require two visits, although many will just require one visit.
- Contraceptive services – some services may be able to insert Implanon or an IUD (intrauterine device) while you are under anaesthetic.
- Type of anaesthetic – these vary from a local anaesthetic (for which you are awake) to a general anaesthetic (for which you are asleep). Twilight anaesthetic is somewhere in between. The type of anaesthetic used will vary according to your provider and your individual circumstances.
- Length of pregnancy – most providers will perform an abortion up to 12 weeks after the last normal period. Some providers will perform terminations for later pregnancies.
- Medical or surgical abortion – most providers use a surgical procedure to perform abortions. however, an increasing number of services offer a medical procedure. The type of abortion you have will depend on the length of your pregnancy and the procedures available from your provider. Information about the differences between medical and surgical abortions is provided in the Better Health Channel fact sheet on Abortion.
Public hospital abortion services A–Z
| NAME | TELEPHONE | ADDRESS | FEES | DURATION OF PREGNANCY | TYPE OF ANAESTHETIC | TYPE OF PROCEDURE AVAILABLE | DAYS OF SERVICE | COUNTRY WOMEN SAME DAY SERVICE |
| Contraceptive and Counselling Clinic – Monash Medical Centre | (03) 9594 2952 | 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton | Medicare card: No cost Limited places – priority is given to teenagers and victims of sexual assault Phone for further information | Less than 12 weeks on the date of the termination | General | Surgical | Phone Monday 3.00–4.30pm for a first appointment Procedures on Fridays only | No |
| Pregnancy Advisory Service – The Royal Women’s Hospital Unplanned Pregnancy Guide | (03) 8345 3063 Because of the high volume of calls, callers may not get through immediately | Cnr Grattan St & Flemington Rd, Parkville | Public patient: No cost Limited places Private patient: Contact the Pregnancy Advisory Service for fees | 6–12 weeks Limited appointments available up to 16 weeks | Usually general anaesthetic | Usually surgical abortion Medical abortions may also be available, depending on individual circumstances | Monday to Friday | Yes Some same day services are available Phone to discuss. |
Private abortion services A–Z
| NAME | TELEPHONE | ADDRESS | FEES | DURATION OF PREGNANCY | TYPE OF ANAESTHETIC AVAILABLE | TYPE OF PROCEDURE AVAILABLE | DAYS OF SERVICE | COUNTRY WOMEN SAME DAY SERVICE |
| Fertility Control Clinic | (03) 9419 2922 | 116–118 Wellington Pde, East Melbourne | Medicare card: Weekdays: $320 Saturday: $350 Concession: Weekdays $230 (no concession on Saturdays) Fees are higher after 12 weeks | Up to 16 weeks | Local, general and twilight anaesthetic | Surgical | Monday to Friday Saturday morning | Yes |
| The Hampton Park Women's Health Care Centre | (03) 9799 2817 | 2–4 Warana Dve, Hampton Park | Under 12 weeks pregnant: Medicare card: $330 Concession: $285 Private (Not covered by Medicare): $725 Fees are higher after 12 weeks | Up to 13 weeks | Local and twilight anaesthetic | Surgical Also provides medical procedure tablet | Monday to Friday | Yes |
| Dr Marie | Freecall: 1800 003 707 | East St Kilda | Phone for information regarding fees Prices vary for concession and Medicare card holders, and for people who are not covered by Medicare | Up to 12 weeks | Twilight anaesthetic | Medical and surgical | Days of operation vary from week to week Phone for information and appointments | No |
| East Melbourne | Phone for information regarding fees Prices vary for concession and Medicare card holders, and for people who are not covered by Medicare | Minimum 5 weeks –up to 8 weeks and 6 days | Not applicable for medical abortions | Medical | Usually Monday and Wednesday Phone for information and appointments | Yes if available appointment Medical procedures require two appointments approximately two weeks apart | ||
| Maroondah | Phone for information regarding fees Prices vary for concession and Medicare card holders, and people who are not covered by Medicare | Up to 24 weeks | Twilight anaesthetic | Medical and surgical | Usually Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday Phone for information and appointments | Depends on type of procedure Early surgical procedures require one procedure only Medical procedures require two appointments approximately two weeks apart Surgical procedures in later pregnancy require two appointments on two consecutive days | ||
| Monash Family Planning | (03) 9544 9902 | 252 Clayton Rd, Clayton | Medicare card: $350 Not covered by Medicare: $800 | 6–12 weeks | General anaesthetic | Surgical | Open every day for information Appointment days vary each week Phone for further information and appointments | Yes |
| The Women’s Clinic in Dandenong | (03) 9792 4622 | 129 Cleeland St, Dandenong | 6–12 weeks Medicare card without private health insurance: $300 Phone for further information regarding fees Prices vary depending on whether you have a Medicare card, private health insurance and for pregnancies greater than 12 weeks. | Up to 13 weeks | General and local anaesthetic | Surgical | Phone for further information and appointments | Yes |
Where to get help
- Your doctor
- Women’s health services
- Community health centre
- Pregnancy Advisory Service Tel. (03) 8345 3063
- Pregnancy Birth and Baby Helpline Tel. 1800 88 24 36
- Family Planning Victoria
- Directory of local community or women’s health services
- Yellow Pages under ‘Pregnancy Termination Services’
Things to remember
- Abortion is legal in Victoria.
- Most abortion service providers are located in Melbourne but some provide ‘same day’ services for women from country areas.
- Abortion services are also available in some rural areas. Your doctor can provide you with details of these services.
- Costs vary between clinics but all procedures are covered, in part, by Medicare. Discounts are available for concession card holders. Even if you are not covered by Medicare, fees may be reimbursed by private health insurance providers.
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- PDF text & pictures for sharing & saving
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- Abortion.
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- Abortion procedures.
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Womens Health Victoria
Last reviewed: December 2011
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
Abortion is legal in Victoria. Most Victorian abortion service providers are located in Melbourne but there are clinics in rural Victoria. Costs vary between clinics. Medicare covers a portion of the cost. Some clinics provide discounted fees to students, health care card holders and others.
Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your qualified health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residence and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.
For the latest updates and more information, visit www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
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