Medical Abortions Melbourne: A Guide to the Procedure

"Why is there not just a simple national website that lists the providers, what they can offer, what they can't, if they're free or if they charge and then their number?" she says. In the lead-up, she was required to undergo counselling with one of the hospital's social workers, and make arrangements for a birth and death certificate, given the foetus was more than 20 weeks. Her doctor had called Orange Health Service but was told their abortion service had been "suspended". Distraught, Kate went back to the GP and then had to wait several days for an ultrasound, which confirmed she was still pregnant — now 20 weeks along. Kate was meant to have a blood test 10 days later to confirm the pregnancy had passed. Most people with a story of obstructed access to abortion prefer to conceal their identities.
These risks are relatively fertility control clinic low when the procedure is performed under medical supervision. Following the prescribed steps and attending follow-up appointments ensures the abortion is complete and addresses potential issues. Statistics on the rate of abortions in Australia are not publicly available. However, extrapolating figures from West Australia and South Australia — the only states to make figures available — suggests that about 65,000 women terminate their pregnancies each year. Of those, only about 1 per cent are late surgical abortions after 20 weeks. Before an abortion, the doctor or nurse will confirm the pregnancy with a urine test and organise blood tests and an ultrasound to check the stage (length) of pregnancy.

Labour was induced on the Friday and she delivered the foetus the following night, four days shy of the legal deadline. But none would take her because of how far into the pregnancy she was. In September 2024, Kate sat in her doctor's office with tears streaming down her face, feeling terrified she would miss the 22-week deadline for an abortion.
As part of Northern Health’s commitment to delivering comprehensive healthcare, the service offers both early medication and surgical abortion in a pro-choice, safe, and supportive environment. Several public hospitals also offer surgical abortions, and the state government has recently expanded the number of hospitals offering the procedure. The cost of a medical termination can vary, particularly for patients who do not have Medicare coverage.
Facing a decision about ending a pregnancy can be deeply emotional and personal. Every woman’s situation is unique, our  caring team are here to provide confidential, supportive, and compassionate care. Carolyn Mogharbel, the manager of 1800 My Options, a service of Women's Health Victoria, said demand for affordable abortions — both medical and surgical — in Victoria already outstripped available services.

The Butterfly Clinic can recommend relevant services to support your wellbeing and holistic recovery. Within a few hours  of taking misoprostol, you can expect to experience cramping and bleeding as the uterus contracts to expel the pregnancy tissue. The cramping can range from mild to intense, similar to menstrual cramps. ACCESS staff are unable to provide clinical advice but can assist with accessing the appropriate service and arranging an appointment.
For medical reasons, or for personal reasons that are important to you. Dr England offers private, respectful  care in a safe and professional environment. It also found the Department of Health did not know the total  number of sexual and reproductive healthcare providers statewide, where they were or what services they provide.
Surgical abortion is most commonly performed during the first trimester of pregnancy (up to 12 weeks). It may also be performed in the second trimester (12 to 24 weeks) or in rare circumstances, the third trimester (24 to 36 weeks). Please note, by providing your details below, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to abide by our privacy policy and terms and conditions. If you live in rural or regional Victoria, while you may be able to access a local service, you might have to travel to Melbourne if you live in an area that has no nearby services. Any Pathology tests that are required can be performed at the Fertility Control Clinic and are bulk billed.

At Camberwell Medical Group, we use a mixed billing structure for all of our healthcare services to ensure we can provide our patients with the best possible care at an affordable rate. Head over to our fee page for more information on our prices, or contact our team today to discuss your needs and enquire about our specific service costs. At Camberwell Medical Group, we offer a number of family planning solutions to help people access the best information and healthcare for themselves and their futures. If you have made the decision to have a medical abortion, our Melbourne team can provide the services and support you need to terminate the pregnancy safely and assuredly. A Senate inquiry into reproductive health care recommended in 2023 that all public hospitals "be equipped to provide" surgical terminations, or "timely affordable pathways to other local providers". A medical abortion means you take medicines to end a pregnancy.
For other options refer to private services or other local public health services. The governments of Australia’s least populous states and territories have made significant inroads into rolling out free medical and surgical abortion access through the public health system. These services have generally developed through the advocacy of individual clinicians rather than a centralised effort to expand care.

But elsewhere, laws would need to be changed to relax the hold of doctors on the future of this health care. Telehealth abortions cost around $280 for Medicare-eligible patients, excluding the costs of blood and ultrasound tests. Elsewhere, some community health organisations and hospitals provide early medication abortions inexpensively or fully through the public health system. An abortion is a good time to discuss ongoing contraception, so you can plan for any future pregnancy. Other hormonal methods, such as “the pill” can be started the day after a medical abortion. In the diverse landscape of healthcare services in Australia, accessing abortion services remains a topic of significant importance and complexity.
A minority of GPs provide bulk billing to patients, meaning there is no out-of-pocket costs. Once the medicine is started, it is important to complete the abortion. In rare cases, the medicine may not work and the pregnancy may continue. If this happens, more medicine or a surgical abortion is needed. Before deciding on an early medical abortion, it's important to understand what to expect, how to prepare and any side effects or complications that may occur.