Pregnancy Choices Information

*This information is updated regularly.  Last updated: 23 June 2020.  

An unplanned pregnancy can bring up a range of emotions. Our Health Workers are available to provide compassionate and confidential information and support on 1800 675 028 (Monday to Thursday 9.15am to 4pm). We can also provide counselling by phone (or face to face from our North Hobart centre) by appointment.

Women’s Health Tasmania is a pro-choice organisation. That means we can provide you with information about all of your pregnancy options. We will support you in your choice and can help link you with services.

Further information about pregnancy options is provided below:

Termination of Pregnancy/Abortion

Termination of Pregnancy/Abortion is legal and available in Tasmania. However, there are currently only a small number of services and doctors where you can access terminations.

It is important to consider your options as soon as possible. The longer a pregnancy progresses the more difficult it can be to access a termination of pregnancy.

There are two ways a termination can occur – using medication or surgery.

Medication Termination

Medication terminations are available up to 9 weeks of pregnancy. Family Planning Tasmania provides information about medication terminations here.

The list below includes most of the services and doctors that provide medication terminations in Tasmania (or via telehealth). Our Health Workers can also provide details for additional services as not all doctors/services are listed here. Call us on 1800 675 028 (Monday - Thursday from 9.15am to 4pm).

You do not need a referral from a GP to access these services/doctors. When you call, it is best to advise the receptionist that you are calling about a medical termination so you can be booked in for the correct appointments as soon as possible.

Surgical Termination

Surgical terminations are available in Tasmania up until approximately 14-16 weeks of pregnancy. Family Planning Tasmania provides information about surgical terminations here.

Your GP* or a Family Planning Tasmania GP can refer you to a specialist for a surgical termination.

A limited number of surgical terminations are available through the Royal Hobart Hospital.

A ‘low cost’ surgical termination service is also available in Hobart through private gynaecologists. The cost of this service is capped at $475. A GP* can refer you to this service. Some private gynaecologists also offer surgical terminations in the private system if you have private health cover and a GP referral.

If you need a termination after approximately 14-16 weeks of pregnancy you can be referred to a service interstate.  1800 My Options has information about services in Victoria here.

A GP*, particularly a Family Planning Tasmania GP can assist with referring you to an interstate service.

Help with costs

Patient Travel Assistance Scheme

The patient Travel Assistance Scheme provides financial help with travel and/or accommodation costs if you need to travel to another part of the state or interstate to access a termination. You can call Jaime Rainbow at the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme on 0436 802 726 for more information about this assistance

Other Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may also be available to help with the cost of a termination through the Women’s Health Fund if you are 25 or over and have a Pension Concession Card, Health Care Card or are experiencing financial hardship.  If you are under 25 financial help may be available through the Youth Health Fund.

Talk to the doctor about this or call our Health Workers on 1800 675 028 for more information.

Talking to your GP

Some doctors have a conscientious objection to terminations (they disagree with the procedure). These doctors do not have to provide you with information about, or help you access a termination but the law says they must provide you with a list of prescribed health services as soon as they know you want a termination or want information about all options regarding your pregnancy.

Women’s Health Tasmania is one of these prescribed health services – you can call us on 1800 675 028.

Other services you can talk to:

These services also provide information or counselling about all of your pregnancy options:

• Family Planning Tasmania (all ages)
• Glenorchy 6273 9117
• Launceston 6343 4566
• Burnie 6431 7692
• The Link Youth Health Service (under 26 years) 6231 2927
• Pulse Youth Health Service (under 25 years) 6166 1421

Continuing the pregnancy and parenting

Health Direct has a good summary of pregnancy and birth care options in Tasmania here.

You can talk with a GP about the pregnancy care options available in your region. If you don’t have a regular GP, there are GPs at Family Planning Tasmania who can provide information about pregnancy care options and refer you to pregnancy care providers.

Women’s Health Tasmania also offers some services when you are pregnant.

Our psychologist Kelly offers free Preparation for Pregnancy, Birth and Parenting sessions. You can book up to three free sessions by calling us on 1800 675 028.

Adoption

Adoption is a legal process where the legal rights and responsibilities for a child are transferred from the birth parents to the adoptive parents. You can contact an Adoption Officer to talk about this option through the State Government’s Adoption and Permanency Services program here. 

They also provide more information about placing a child for adoption here.