Abortion Law in Victoria

Author : Mark Mccarthy | Published On : 29 Oct 2026

The actions of our medical schools and public hospitals will be central to meeting these goals. Women may not know about the availability of medical abortion or the fact that it is only able to be accessed in Australia up until nine weeks’ gestation, or how to find a provider. Including information on the practice website or in a newsletter regarding whether your practice provides this service and, if not, where the service can be accessed can help educate women about this option. Women should be provided with information to help them to decide whether they should have a medical or surgical abortion. The National Institute of Clinical Excellence20 guidelines suggest that the issues in Box 1 be discussed. Women should also be advised about possible side effects of the medication and procedure and how to manage them (Table 1).
At your first appointment, Dr England will go through your situation, your health and how you are feeling, then explain the options that suit you. Please refer to our medical abortion and surgical abortion pages for more detailed information about your options. Below are some services that can help you surgical abortion clinic melbourne find sexual and reproductive health information in your state or territory. Take your time considering all available options to make the best decision for you. There may be well-meaning people around you who try to guide you one way or another, but ultimately this is your choice. Our impartial doctors and support staff are here if you'd like to talk it through.

The procedure itself takes less than 15 minutes, however with preparation and recovery, you will be in the clinic for around 4 – 5 hours. Abortions later in pregnancy might involve extra steps depending on how the length of the pregnancy. If you choose a surgical abortion, some services require you to attend an appointment with a doctor or nurse a few days before the procedure.
Specialist services vary by clinic based on local community needs and the expertise of local clinicians. The technique we use is globally considered to be the safest, most effective method, called suction curettage. This is an extremely quick procedure lasting only 5-10 minutes, which involves gentle removal of pregnancy tissue through light suction. After the procedure, you will be able to rest in the recovery room and have some light refreshments. Your experience at the clinic is designed to make things as smooth and comfortable as possible.
Be aware of anti-abortion or pro-life websites containing inaccurate and harmful information and imagery. If you have been referred to the Abortion and Contraception Service, they will contact you to discuss the referral. Book an appointment We respect your right to privacy and all consultations are confidential. Talk to the clinic to find out more about which option may be best for you.

The decision to undertake a surgical abortion is a deeply personal choice. Consider your personal situation, general health, gestational stage and overall preferences. Remember, there is no wrong decision here; this is your choice. If you are considering a surgical abortion, or a medical abortion in Sydney please reach out to the professional team at Clinic 66 to discuss how to proceed and what makes the most sense for you. A surgical abortion involves a surgical procedure to empty the uterus. It's mostly performed in the first trimester, but in some states and territories, you can have one until the 24th week of pregnancy.
If you have had a termination of pregnancy (medical or surgical), and you haven’t yet had a period after the procedure and you wish to have an IUD inserted, you should have a pelvic ultrasound performed. Data from 1800 My Options indicates the majority of requests for information about abortion services are from women with a pregnancy less than nine weeks. We are dedicated to supporting people to make informed, confident decisions about their reproductive and sexual health and wellbeing that are right for them.
Some abortion services may provide their own post-abortion counselling services. You can also speak to your GP or us to help you find a counselling service. An early medication abortion at a private clinic, which includes co-located ultrasound and pathology services, will cost around A$580 for people with a health-care card and $620 without. Three more Melbourne hospitals will offer surgical abortions, removing some of the stressful barriers women can face in accessing the procedure. Legislation in South Australia, Victoria and Western Australia provides for qualified health professionals (not just doctors) to prescribe medical abortion and Queensland has just introduced similar legislation.

Here, the cervix is dilated and a plastic tube inserted to empty the uterus via gentle suction. GP Ea Mulligan in South Australia built on de Costa’s legacy, working to receive permission to use mifepristone for everyday abortions, before it was commercially imported. In the late 2010s, obstetrics and gynaecology abortion provider Paddy Moore led the improvement of late abortion services at Melbourne’s Royal Women’s Hospital. The medical profession’s moral and social conservatism has caused difficulties for both private providers and public hospitals.
Some health professionals use telecommunication technologies (‘telehealth’) to discuss the medication abortion and provide the necessary referrals for an ultrasound scan and the pharmacy script. It is a day procedure usually done when the patient is asleep under a a general anaesthetic. You can expect to be at the clinic or hospital for five to six hours. It is necessary to not smoke, vape, eat or drink for about 6 hours before the procedure. An ultrasound to confirm the gestation of the pregnancy and to make sure it’s safe for you to have a surgical abortion.
You can take the same medications you would use for that at home, and we can also offer some guidance as to what works best if you're unsure.We are also able to prescribe additional pain relief for you to have at home. You will be pain-free & asleep during the procedure where the Anaesthetist will give you strong pain relief. When you wake up in recovery you may have some pain similar to your period pain.The team will ensure there are adequate medications for you in recovery should you have signficant pain, discomfort or nausea.