Abortion services in Victoria

Abortion services in Victoria
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 Victoria

Surgical abortion services tend to be concentrated in metropolitan Melbourne. There are some surgical services available in rural areas. Medical abortion is now also available through other medical practitioners, providing they are appropriately certified.

You should discuss these options with your doctor, or contact your local community health or women’s health service. Some Melbourne service providers cater for women coming from rural Victoria and offer a ‘same-day service’.

Finding an abortion service in Victoria

Most private surgical abortion 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 also provided by some public hospitals. Private services are listed in the Yellow Pages under ‘Pregnancy Termination Services’. Your doctor, 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 or local community health or women’s health service can provide you with details of these services.

Choosing an abortion service in Victoria

There are a number of issues to consider when you choose an abortion service including:
· 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 $300 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 healthcare card holders. Some clinics 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 (a contraceptive implant inserted just under the skin of a woman's upper arm) or an IUD (intrauterine device) while you are under anaesthetic
· Types 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 own circumstances
· Length of pregnancy – most providers will perform an abortion up to 12 weeks after the last normal period. Some providers will perform abortions later in the pregnancy. Abortion can legally be accessed up to the 24th week of pregnancy, and, in certain circumstances, beyond this
· Medical or surgical abortion – the type of abortion you have will depend on the length of your pregnancy and the procedures available from your provider.

Please note, this information is intended as a guide only. Always contact providers directly for specific information relating to your own circumstances.

Victorian public hospital abortion services

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 Health	(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 18 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 in Victoria

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	Please phone for information regarding fees, prices vary for concession and Medicare card holders, and private health card holders	Up to 16 weeks	Local, general and twilight anaesthetic	Surgical Medical abortions are also available. Strict criteria apply and fees are higher than those listed.	Monday to Saturday	Yes
The Hampton Park Women's Health Care Centre	(03) 9799 2817	2–4 Warana Dr, Hampton Park	Under 11 weeks pregnant: Medicare card: $360 Prices change for concession, Medicare and private health card holders Please call for further information	Up to 13 weeks	Local, twilight and general anaesthetic	Medical and surgical	Monday to Friday	Yes Medical procedures require two appointments around two weeks apart For country women, we can organise the follow up with your GP or over the phone
Dr Marie	Freecall: 1800 003 707	East St Kilda 338 Dandenong Rd	Phone for information regarding fees Prices vary for concession and Medicare card holders, and for people who are not covered by Medicare	Surgical abortion may be used at various gestations according to state legislation	Twilight anaesthetic	Surgical	Days of operation vary from week to week Phone for information and appointments	No, only available with the medical procedure.
		East Melbourne Suite 4, Level 1 182 Victoria Pde	Phone for information regarding fees Prices vary for concession and Medicare card holders, and for people who are not covered by Medicare	Medical abortion is only suitable for early pregnancies	Not applicable for medical abortions	Medical	Days of operation vary from week to week Phone for information and appointments	Yes if an appointment is available Medical procedures require two appointments approximately two weeks apart
		Maroondah 411 Dorset Rd Clayton	Phone for information regarding fees Prices vary for concession and Medicare card holders, and people who are not covered by Medicare	Surgical abortion may be used at various gestations according to state legislation Medical abortion is only suitable for early pregnancies	Twilight anaesthetic	Medical and surgical	Days of operation vary from week to week 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: $850	6–12 weeks	General anaesthetic	Surgical	Phone for further information & appointments on Monday and Thursday between 10am and 3pm	Yes
The Women’s Clinic in Dandenong	(03) 9792 4622	129 Cleeland St, Dandenong Also operating in the north-west: 145 Furlong Road (at Western Day Surgery) St Albans	6–11 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 11 weeks	Up to 15 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 882 436
· Family Planning Victoria Tel. (03) 9257 0121

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.

You might also be interested in:

• Abortion.
  
• Abortion - counselling options.
  
• Abortion - emotional issues.
  
• Abortion pill - RU486 (mifepristone).
  
• Abortion procedures.
  

Want to know more?

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This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:

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Womens Health Victoria

Fact sheet currently being reviewed.
Last reviewed: January 2012

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<a href="http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Abortion_services_in_Victoria?open">Abortion services in Victoria - Better Health Channel</a><br/>
Abortion is legal in Victoria. Surgical abortion services are located in Melbourne and rural Victoria. Medical abortion is available through certified medical practitioners. Costs vary between clinics. Medicare covers a portion of the cost. Some clinics provide discounted fees to students, healthcare 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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