Nationally, Australia does not have equitable or accessible laws and systems when it comes to abortion care. This causes a lot of unfairness and confusion. A lot of media coverage is focussed on the service system gaps that exist in mainland states, particularly in Queensland, Victoria and NSW.
However, Tasmanians do have access to abortion care, thanks to two initiatives
- the abortion referral pathways introduced in October 2021 which meant that everyone needing a surgical abortion could access one through their local public hospital; and
- the Women’s Health Fund and Youth Health Fund to assist people with costs if they are in financial difficulty.
Many of the media articles about abortion access in Australia are incorrect and out of date – especially those which make reference to Tasmania. Please double check facts with service providers before using those sources.
Here are four key facts:
- The right to an abortion is enshrined in the law of every state of Australia. This is because of decades of work by committed activists, health workers and members of Parliaments. It is even part of the National Women’s Health Strategy (developed by the Morrison Government) to ensure equitable access to abortions across Australia.
- We have a different history, health and legal system to the USA. We should be alert to what happens in the USA, but not be frightened by it.
- In Tasmania abortion is accessible in each region.
- There are medical and surgical abortion care services available in each Tasmanian region and cost should not be a problem. (Surgical abortion in Tasmania is free through the public hospital system. Funding is available to cover the cost of a medication termination.)
Would you like to know more?
Surgical abortions
- Surgical abortions are available from public hospitals in the south, north and north west. This service is available for all pregnant people. This service will not cost the patient anything.
Medication abortion
- Medication abortions can be accessed from a GP who provides this service, from GPs working at Family Planning Tasmania and from a mainland provider via telehealth. These providers can be found on our website Pregnancy Choices Tasmania.
- Medication abortions might have costs associated with them. There is financial assistance available.
Private health insurance
- Any patient can access an abortion from a private provider using their insurance if they choose to. If they can’t use their private health insurance (eg a family violence situation) they can be a public patient.
People without Medicare
- If a patient doesn’t have access to Medicare because of their visa status, they can still access a surgical abortion or be helped with the cost of a medication abortion.
And a few more facts
- In Tasmania it is the law that GPs who don’t provide abortions must refer patients to services that can give people information about their choices.
- In Tasmania pregnant people accessing abortion and health workers are legally protected: it is illegal for for people to harass them or protest within 150 metres of an abortion care service.
These 'facts' are being circulated on social media in Tasmania – they aren't true
People have to have counselling before you have an abortion. Not true. But if someone would like to have it, it is free, non-judgmental, and confidential.
Patients must get a doctor’s permission to have an abortion. If the pregnancy is less than 16 weeks gestation it is your decision alone - you do not need a doctor's permission. (But the patient does need to see a GP to get the pregnancy confirmed.) Under our legislation, a patient does need to get a referral for an abortion after 16 weeks gestation.
Let’s be clear: our reproductive rights are protected in law and there are accessible health services in Tasmania that provide abortions. Financial and other support are out there, including if someone needs an abortion after 16 weeks.
We are not complacent about our access to abortion services but there is no 'access crisis' or 'access debate' in Tasmania. The fight to get these services has been won. We will be vigilant in ensuring we keep them.
If you have questions about any of the facts above, please contact Women’s Health Tasmania (03) 6231 3212 or Family Planning Tasmania (03) 6273 9117.
Please remember that incorrect information about abortion access frightens people who are looking for abortion care today.