Abortion Law in Victoria

We acknowledge all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their culture, heritage and right to self-determination. Our GP services are bulk billed and nursing services are at no cost. Dr Wainer died in 1989 and the clinic is now run by a group of private doctors. When it comes to finances, the choice between condoms and a vasectomy seems pretty obvious. Well it might be time to think again, because not only is a vasectomy far more effective at preventing pregnancy, it also turns out to be a lot more affordable over a lifetime. Take control of your reproductive choices with a 'no-scalpel open-ended’ vasectomy in Australia with MSI Vasectomy.
The hospital has one of only four neonatal intensive care units in Melbourne and a special care nursery. Mercy Hospital for Women cares for some abortion clinics of Victoria’s most unwell babies and provides support for families throughout health journeys. 2016 – Safe Access ZonesSafe Access Zones were legislated in 2016, restricting protests within 150 metres of an abortion provider. These zones help protect patients to access essential healthcare with privacy, safety and dignity, as well as ensuring safety for healthcare workers and local residents. 2008 – DecriminalisationFollowing decades of advocacy, abortion was decriminalised through the Abortion Law Reform Act, 2008.

For a very small number of people, the experience of an unplanned pregnancy and subsequent abortion is traumatic and may lead to negative thoughts, including self-harm. If the experience of abortion is affecting the mental health of you or someone you know, speak with a health professional. For those who have decided to proceed with an abortion, detailed information will be given about the procedure, anaesthesia (surgical abortion), pain relief and pre- and post-abortion care. Part of the decision-making process and consent includes being fully informed of the risks involved. Post-abortion check-ups will be organised to ensure that the termination was successful, monitor your recovery, and address any concerns or complications that may arise. Complications occur in 2-5% of medical abortions, and further treatment may be required.
The Age can now reveal that Lopes was reprimanded and had his registration temporarily suspended over serious sexual misconduct towards several women, while he practised in Melbourne during a six-year period. An investigation into the practices of this clinic and into this particular doctor,” he said. But the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) also revealed its investigation into Kaur’s death sparked wider concerns about other practices at medical clinics. Our Subfertility Workup takes an evidence based and medically appropriate systematic approach to assessing the problem, investigating the possible causes and providing the appropriate treatment where possible.
A medical abortion will not adversely affect your fertility and we will ensure your future contraception needs. Pregnancy terminations carried out by the medical method are available for early pregnancies. Your doctor will conduct an ultrasound to confirm how far into the pregnancy you are. Your Doctor will also discuss the options available to you and outline any side effects or complications that may occur.

Access to support communities allows individuals to connect with others who have undergone similar experiences, fostering shared understanding and healing. Managing pain and side effects is crucial during the medical abortion process. Pain, often similar to strong menstrual cramps, can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol, ibuprofen and sometimes codeine. Taking a pain reliever half an hour before misoprostol can alleviate discomfort. If you live in or near Melbourne, you will generally have more choice in the number of abortion services that are available to you.
For those with a Medicare card, the cost of medical and surgical abortion can be significantly lower due to available rebates. Visiting a health professional about abortion can also be a good opportunity to discuss contraceptive options. In Texas, a recently passed state law has banned abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, and worse, essentially corrals ordinary citizens into becoming enforcers. This is just the latest development in a national regression of abortion rights. The right to abortion was formally recognised in the landmark decision of Roe v Wade in 1973, and the defence of this precedent has occupied the pro-choice movement since. But the reality is that state legislatures have been undermining access in all sorts of insidious ways in the subsequent decades.

Sexual Health Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which our offices stand and in the regions in which we provide our services. No matter where you are, Clinic 66 is here to find the best abortion clinic in Melbourne for you. Whether you need a medical or surgical termination, our team can help. If you choose a medical abortion, you’ll take the first tablet (mifepristone) at the clinic or at home, then a second dose (misoprostol) 24–48 hours later so the pregnancy can be safely terminated. Once eligibility is confirmed, preparation includes confirming the pregnancy through urine or blood tests and possibly an ultrasound to determine gestational age.
Safe access zones protect your privacy when entering and leaving clinics. Health practitioners who have a conscientious objection must disclose this and refer the patient to another practitioner or service to ensure that care is not delayed. Abortion is no longer a criminal offence and is available on request and for any reason up to 22 weeks of pregnancy. This page provides information about the laws around abortion (Termination of Pregnancy) across the country. Abortion is legal across Australia, but the specific laws and access conditions differ by state and territory. The closure of Hampton Park's day surgery means there are now only two remaining private providers in Melbourne.
He will guide you through the options available to you with sensitivity and compassion. In about 95% of cases, medical abortion is a straightforward process and safely completes the pregnancy termination. This blocks the effects of progesterone; a hormone needed for a pregnancy to continue. Some people feel nauseous or start bleeding after taking it, but not always. After taking the first step, the medical abortion process has commenced and needs to be completed with the second step, which will induce a miscarriage.

In South Australia, you can have an abortion performed by a doctor up to the 22nd week of pregnancy and 6 days. According to a recent report by the New York Times, this has forced some Americans to have medical abortions without any support from a healthcare professional. This means that if there are complications or an emergency, they may not get safe medical care. Surgical abortionis a routine day-surgery procedure that is most commonly performed in the first trimester (up to 12–14 weeks’ gestation). The patient is placed under anaesthetic, and the pregnancy tissue is removed from the uterus using a gentle suction. The procedure, which is performed at a clinic or hospital, is considered one of the safest surgeries in Australia and is roughly 98 per cent effective.
At the first appointment, I’ll make sure you understand all your options and that no medical factors are preventing you from taking the medication. If you decide a medical termination is right for you, there are three appointments required. Abortion is a safe and legal medical procedure in Victoria and has been since the 1970s. The option is safe and easy to use, giving patient more control over their comfort.

Our facilities, procedures, practices and people continually go through rigorous quality assurance testing and accreditation. This is at the very core of who we are and serves to guide pretty much everything we do. This is also a method that can be undertaken if you are unable to get to the clinic, and we can support you through the procedure via tele-consulting (though eligibility criteria must be met). Anyone can have counselling after an abortion, even if the abortion was a long time ago. Counselling before and after an abortion can provide you with the support you need.