Abortions will soon be free for some Australian women

Access to expensive family planning and health services are set to become a lot more accessible in Canberra.

Access to expensive family planning and health services are set to become a lot more accessible in Canberra.

From mid next year, Canberrans will have access to free medical and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks' gestation.

These services will be accessible to women without a Medicare card and all those who use abortion services will be eligible to receive free, long-lasting, reversible contraceptives at the time of abortion, which the government there said had been shown to reduce demand for future abortions.

The initiative to remove out-of-pocket costs will cost the ACT government $4.6 million over four years and aims to improve access to affordable, accessible health services as part of the ACT Women's Plan 2016-26.

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The ACT's Deputy Chief Minister Yvette Berry said addressing potential inequity surrounding access to abortion had been a long-time goal of the government. 

"By removing the cost barriers for abortions, we are improving access to affordable and accessible health services across the ACT, in line with the ACT Women’s Plan 2016-26," she said.

"This means that individuals will be supported to make a choice about having an abortion without being influenced by financial barriers."

She added: "It also means that having an abortion can occur in a time sensitive manner without being delayed due to an inability to pay."

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr also welcomed the move.

The ACT Government will ensure Canberrans have access to safe, accessible and affordable abortion services with funding for free medical and surgical abortions up to 16 weeks.

From early next year, all ACT residents will be eligible, including those without a Medicare card.

— Andrew Barr MLA (@ABarrMLA) August 3, 2022