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Is Abortion Even Legal In Australia?
Before we can ask “how much does an abortion cost in Australia?”, we need to ask, “is abortion even legal here in the first place?” The answer is yes, it is legal to abort an unborn child all across Australia. But each state has its own laws about when and how you can have the abortion.
In NSW, for example, a doctor is required to sign off on the abortion, based on socioeconomic or medical reasons, up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. But if you live in Perth, the gestational limit is only at 20 weeks. The only state where it is legal to get abortions for any reason without question is the Australian Capital Territory.
But while abortion is accessible pretty much all across the country, there are some states that have yet to decriminalise it. If you don’t follow the strict requirements for a legal abortion in Queensland or New South Wales, you could be prosecuted.
How Much Is An Abortion?
The cost can vary wildly, depending on multiple factors. Here are just a few:
Location
Just like there are differences in abortion law in every state, the cost of having an abortion can also differ depending on where you’re getting it. In Victoria, private clinics charge around $350 on average for a surgical abortion. The same services would cost more than $440 in Sydney.
Clinic
The price of an abortion is also determined by the type of abortion provider you go to. Private providers like the ones in Tasmania cost approximately $500. But in South Australia or the Northern Territory, public clinics provide most of the abortion services – and they are usually free.
Type Of Abortion
There are two kinds of abortions: surgical abortion and medical abortion. Surgical abortion uses a suction device to clear out the contents of your uterus, while a medical abortion involves taking pills that induce a miscarriage. Surgical abortions are done in a clinic or hospital, making them more expensive. Medical abortions, in comparison, can be done at home and cost an average of $250.
Gestation
In most states, you cannot get an abortion except for medical reasons past the 24th or 28th week of pregnancy. Most abortions are done in the first trimester, which is also the cheapest time to get one. Costs significantly increase during the second trimester. In Queensland, the price of a surgical abortion almost doubles and a medical abortion more than triples after the first trimester.
Insurance
Does medicare cover abortion? Having Medicare or healthcare can reduce how much you pay to get an abortion. Medicare rebates usually range in the $100-150 range. Medicare can also help you pay for post-abortion medications.
How Much Is The Morning After Pill?
Technically speaking, the morning after pill is not the same as an abortion. You are supposed to take the morning after pill within the first few days of unprotected sex to prevent getting pregnant. It prevents conception by delaying the release of an egg and thinning out the uterine lining. If you are already pregnant, however, the morning after pill is pretty much ineffective.
The morning after pill is available over-the-counter for as low as $15 in some pharmacies, but it could also cost up to $45 if you get a name brand pill.
How Much Does An Abortion Cost In Australia?
Now let’s tackle how much a surgical abortion is and the abortion pill’s cost per state. Keep in mind that these are estimates, and you still need to contact your GP, clinic, or hospital to get a more accurate estimate.
Note: The information provided below comes from The Guardian and Buzzfeed News, and are based on first trimester abortions. Data was collected from Marie Stopes Clinics, Children by Choice, and other government or non-profit organisations.
ACT
Medical abortions: $440-500+
Surgical abortions: $440-500+
NSW
Medical abortions: $250-560+
Surgical abortions: $440-495+
Victoria
Medical abortions: $250-560+
Surgical abortions: $350-495+
Western Australia
Medical abortions: $250-550+
Surgical abortions: $450-795+
Northern Territory
Medical abortions: Free in public hospitals
Surgical abortions: Free in public hospitals
South Australia
Medical abortions: Free in public hospitals
Surgical abortions: Free in public hospitals
Queensland*
Medical abortions: $250-790+
Surgical abortions: $440-715+
*There are sexual health clinics in Mackay, Cairns, and Thursday Island that only charge for the cost of medication, which can be as little as $12 on a health card or $50 with Medicare.
Tasmania
Medical abortions: $250+
Surgical abortions: $500+
Conclusion
Abortion may be legal, but even so, some women don’t know how to get one. Its cost can be prohibitive, especially to low-income women or women in rural areas. Even with Medicare, abortions can rack up a medical bill of several hundred dollars – so even if it’s legal, abortion becomes virtually inaccessible to the women who need it the most.