Having an abortion means you choose to end your pregnancy. Unplanned pregnancies happen to women of all ages and backgrounds. About half the pregnancies in Australia are unplanned.
In Australia, people can manage their own health needs and choose what happens to their body. They can also access safe medical or surgical abortion services. But it can be hard to find and access quality abortion services in some areas across the country.
Learn more about different types of abortion, laws about abortion, parenting options and where to get help.
What is abortion?
Is abortion legal in Australia?
Reasons for abortion
Types of abortion
Does abortion hurt?
When can you go back to normal activities?
Contraception after abortion
Will abortion affect future pregnancies?
How much does an abortion cost?
Do you need a doctor’s referral?
Counselling before an abortion
Parenting options
More information
A note about online information
Abortion is a medical procedure that ends a pregnancy. It may also be referred to as a ‘termination’ or ‘pregnancy termination’. It’s estimated that about one-third of unplanned pregnancies are ended.
Abortion in Australia is only legal if done by a registered medical professional. But abortion laws vary between states and territories. The different laws outline how and when women can access abortion.
Abortion is a personal choice. It can be a hard decision to make. There are many reasons why you might choose to have an abortion. For example, if you:
Regardless of the reason, it’s your choice to end your pregnancy.
There are two types of abortion: medical abortion and surgical abortion. Both are safe and effective.
A medical abortion means you take medicines to cause a miscarriage. It can be performed in the first nine weeks of pregnancy. Medical abortions are available at private abortion clinics and some public hospitals or GP clinics. You may be able to access a medical abortion via Telehealth if you can’t go to a clinic in person.
You take a tablet that blocks the hormones needed for your pregnancy to continue.
You take a second medication after 24 to 48 hours, which causes your uterus to contract and miscarry your pregnancy (usually four to six hours later).
Most people find the bleeding and cramping is more than a typical period but it usually gets better within 24 hours. Bleeding can continue for up to two weeks.
You might choose to have a surgical abortion if you are more than nine weeks pregnant, or you don’t want to have a medical abortion.
Surgical abortion is usually done as a day procedure. Your doctor inserts a small tube into your uterus via your vagina. A gentle suction action removes the lining and contents of your uterus.
If you have a surgical abortion under general anaesthetic (while you are asleep), you will not experience any pain. But you may have cramping for a few days afterwards.
If you have a surgical abortion under local anaesthetic, you are likely to feel mild to strong cramps during the abortion. It’s normal to have cramping and pain that’s similar to a period for the next few days. You may also have light bleeding for up to two weeks.
To relieve pain, you can use heat packs, pain-relief medicines and get some rest. If you have severe pain, talk to your doctor.
If you have a medical abortion, you will have several hours of intense cramping, but the pain should ease once you have had the miscarriage. Your doctor can prescribe stronger pain medicine to help. You should be able to manage at home.
If you have a surgical abortion under general anaesthetic (while you are asleep), you will not experience any pain during the abortion. But you may have cramping for a few days afterwards.
If you have a surgical abortion under local anaesthetic, you are likely to feel mild to strong cramps during the abortion. It’s also normal to have cramping and pain that’s similar to a period for the next few days.
To relieve pain, you can:
If you have severe pain or pain that doesn’t get better with pain relief medicine, talk to your doctor.
For one or two weeks after an abortion, you should avoid:
You can start contraception on the day you have an abortion. For example, you can have an IUD inserted during a surgical abortion or start the Pill after a medical abortion. This is important if you want to prevent future unplanned pregnancies.
Having an abortion will not affect your ability to get pregnant or have children in the future.
The cost of an abortion depends on:
If you have a Medicare card and visit a private clinic:
Some clinics and public hospitals may have lower fees or there may be no charge if you are eligible. Your doctor can give you more information.
You do not need a referral from your doctor to book an abortion.
In Australia, if your doctor or healthcare professional has a ‘conscientious objection’ to helping you get an abortion, they must refer you to a doctor who will help. A conscientious objection means someone refuses to provide a service due to personal beliefs and values.
You might need extra support before or after an abortion. You can talk to someone you trust, like a friend or family member, or seek professional support from a counsellor.
If you have an unplanned pregnancy and don’t want to have an abortion, you don’t have to. You can:
You can find more information about abortion from:
You can also visit these websites:
When looking for information about abortion online, we recommend you use reliable and reputable websites to make an informed decision, such as the ones listed above.
Other websites (including anti-abortion or pro-life websites) may have inaccurate or harmful information and pictures.
Always talk to your doctor if you have questions or concerns.
This content has been reviewed by a group of medical subject matter experts, including Sexual Health Victoria.
© Jean Hailes Foundation. All rights reserved.
