Having an abortion means you choose to end your pregnancy. Not all pregnancies are planned. Unplanned pregnancies happen to women of all ages and backgrounds. About half the pregnancies in Australia are unplanned. Some women choose to have their baby, while others choose to end their pregnancy with abortion.
At Jean Hailes, we believe that women and people with a uterus have the right to manage their own health needs and choose what happens to their body. We also believe they have the right to access safe medical or surgical abortion services Australia-wide.
What is abortion?
Is abortion legal in Australia?
Reasons for abortion
Types of abortion
Does abortion hurt?
When can you return to normal activities?
Will abortion affect future pregnancies?
How much does an abortion cost?
Do you need a doctor’s referral?
Do you need to have counselling before having an abortion?
More information
A note about online information
Abortion is a safe 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 are about 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 medications to cause a miscarriage. It can be performed on a pregnancy up to nine weeks. Medical abortions are available at private abortion clinics, some public hospitals or at GP clinics (if the GP has done extra training). You may be able to access a medical abortion via Telehealth if you cannot go to a clinic in person.
Most women 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.
If you are more than nine weeks pregnant, or you don’t want to have a medical abortion, you may choose to have a surgical abortion instead.
Surgical abortion is usually done as a day procedure.
The suction curette is for early pregnancies. Your doctor inserts a small tube into your uterus via your vagina. A gentle suction action removes the lining and contents of your uterus.
In some cases (e.g. a later pregnancy) a more involved procedure may be required.
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 medication 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 medication, talk to your doctor.
You can return to normal activities the day after an abortion if you feel physically and emotionally well. But for the next one to two weeks, you should avoid:
Having an abortion does 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 or 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 – except in Western Australia where it’s legally required.
You do not need to have counselling but it is available if you want to talk to someone or need more information.
You can get more information about abortion from:
You can also visit these websites:
MSI Australia (formerly Marie Stopes Australia)
1800MyOptions (Vic)
Children by Choice (Qld)
When looking for information about abortion online, we recommend you use reliable and reputable websites, such as the ones listed above, to make an informed decision.
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 any questions or concerns.
This web page is designed to be informative and educational. It is not intended to provide specific medical advice or replace advice from your health practitioner. The information above is based on current medical knowledge, evidence and practice as at August 2022.