Abortion
Abortion is a medical procedure used to end a pregnancy.
In Tasmania, it is legal to have an abortion. Up to 16 weeks of pregnancy you do not need anyone else's consent to this procedure. It is your decision.
Between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, you can still choose to have an abortion, but two doctors must agree that the abortion is necessary. There are less services that provide an abortion after 16 weeks and you may need to travel to the mainland for the procedure.
After 20 weeks you can still get an abortion in Tasmania but you will need approval from a panel of specialists.
If you are pregnant and not sure what you want to do, make some appointments as soon as possible so you can access all possible options. Contact:
- Women’s Health Tasmania on 6231 3212
- Family Planning Tasmania. Call Glenorchy on 6273 9117, Launceston on 6343 4566 or Burnie on 6431 7692
- The Link Youth Health Service on 6231 2927
- Pulse Youth Health on 6166 1421; or
- Your GP
You can buy a pregnancy test at a pharmacist, supermarket or GP, but most people see their GP or a Family Planning doctor to confirm their pregnancy.
Seeing a Pregnancy Options Counsellor can be helpful at this point. The counsellor can help you decide what to do: whether to have an abortion or not, what method of abortion to have, how to access the services and what to expect.
The Pregnancy Choices Tasmania website provides a listing of GPs, pharmacies, imaging services, hospitals and pregnancy options counsellors that can help you.
We've made all the steps involved into a picture! Go here to see our flowchart of the steps involved in continuing a pregnancy or having an abortion
Types of abortion
There are two different types of abortion: medication and surgical.
Medication abortion
Medication abortions are available in Tasmania up to 9 weeks of pregnancy. Family Planning Tasmania provides up to date information about medication abortions here.
You can search for services and doctors that provide medication abortions in Tasmania here.
Women’s Health Tasmania can provide details for the additional services not shown on the 'search for a service' page. Call us on 6231 3212 (Monday - Thursday from 9am to 4pm).
Some GP practices listed with us have listed the whole practice, but it could be that not all the GPs in the practice provide medication abortions. You will need to tell the receptionist what the appointment is for.
Ask for a double appointment as the GP needs time to confirm your pregnancy, explain your options, organise the tests you will need, and explain the procedure - that's a lot to talk about.
You do not need a referral from a GP to see a GP who provides medication abortions.
More information:
Better Health Channel: Abortion Procedures (Medication)
Surgical abortion
Surgical abortions are available in Tasmania up until 14 weeks of pregnancy. Family Planning Tasmania provides more information about surgical abortions here.
Surgical abortions are available at local hospitals in all three regions of Tasmania. You need a referral from a general practitioner to a specialist at the hospital before you can have the procedure. You also need some tests (blood tests and scans) done before you go the hospital.
Your GP or a Family Planning Tasmania GP can refer you to your local hospital for a surgical abortion.
If you are not covered by Medicare and if your health insurance does not cover this procedure, you can contact us to seek financial help to cover your costs.
If you need a surgical abortion after approximately 14 weeks of pregnancy, a GP or Family Planning GP can refer you to a service interstate. You can find out more about this by
- Calling Women’s Health Tasmania on 6231 3212.
- Talking to a Family Planning Tasmania GP. Call Glenorchy on 6273 9117, Launceston on 6343 4566 or Burnie on 6431 7692.
- Using a Victorian service called 1800 My Options – 1800 696 784.
More information:
Better Health Channel: Abortion Procedures (Surgical)
Chinese language information about abortions in Tasmania
Some of the information about abortions is also available in both simplified and traditional Chinese characters.
Medication abortion in Simplified Chinese characters:
Medication abortion in Traditional Chinese characters:
Surgical abortion in Simplified Chinese characters:
Surgical abortion in Traditional Chinese characters:
How much does an abortion cost?
The cost of an abortion depends on
- the type of abortion
- whether you are using the public health system or the private health system
- whether you have health insurance
There is no cost if you are having a surgical abortion through the public hospital system.
In Tasmania there is help available to cover the costs of medical abortions or abortions through the private health system.
Financial assistance may be available 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. The Youth Health Fund may also be able to get help for travel and/or accommodation if you need to travel to another part of the state or interstate to access a abortion.
Talk to your doctor or call Women’s Health Tasmania on 6231 3212 for more information.
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 to access an abortion. You can find out more information about the Patient Travel Assistance Scheme here: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/patients/health-costs/ptas
Abortion laws and your rights in Tasmania
Abortion is a safe, common and legal medical procedure.
Tasmanian law says that your doctor is required to provide you with information about how to get a referral for abortion care even if they do not support abortion because of their personal beliefs.
You have the right to make a formal complaint against any doctor who fails to refer you to another doctor or service who can provide you with a referral for an abortion.
You also have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Health professionals do not have the right to say negative things about your decision to have an abortion.
You also have the right to an interpreter if you want one for all medical appointments. Health services have funding to cover interpreting services.
Making a complaint
If your doctor refuses to refer you to another doctor or service who can provide you with information on abortion you can make a complaint to:
Health Complaints Commissioner Tasmania