Abortion
and Options
People experiencing unplanned pregnancy
When you contact 1800 4 Choice you will be connected to a qualified local nurse who can provide you with free, unbiased and confidential information on pregnancy options. After discussing your options, you will be asked some simple questions based on your needs to determine how far along your pregnancy is and what type of services may be available to you. You will also be asked a few questions about your medical history to help us to recommend the provider best suited to your needs.
Sexual Health Quarters (SHQ) is the largest non-government provider of specialised sexual and reproductive health in Western Australia. We provide high-quality clinical services and care, tailored counselling, and inspiring education that empowers people of all genders, ages, cultures, sexualities and abilities with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make informed choices about their sexual health and relationships.
The 1800 4 Choice Helpline is staffed by experienced nurses working from our clinic in Northbridge, Western Australia.
The program is funded by the Western Australian Department of Health.
Abortion costs vary depending on a number of factors, including:
-
Where you live
-
The type of procedure (medical or surgical abortion)
-
Medicare cardholder status
-
Private health insurance (surgical abortion only)
-
Gestation (how many weeks pregnant are you)
Our helpline staff can discuss your individual situation and try to find a solution suited to your needs.
-
People under 18 years of age can access an abortion without the involvement of a parent or guardian if they can understand and consent to their own medical treatment. If a person is not able to understand or provide their own consent, other parties may need to be involved.
In Western Australia, you do not need a referral to book an appointment with an abortion provider.
Abortion is safe and legal in WA.
Abortion can be performed up to 23 weeks gestation, beyond 23 weeks two doctors must approve the procedure.
If your pregnancy has progressed beyond 23 weeks, please discuss with your GP or contact the Pregnancy Choices and Abortion Care team at King Edward Memorial Hospital.
A practitioner who will not participate in an abortion, and who objects to providing advice on abortion, still has professional obligations to fulfill.
When a registered health practitioner has been requested by a patient for information on abortion or has been asked to participate in an abortion and has a conscientious objection to abortion, the practitioner must disclose their conscientious objection to the patient immediately.
A medical practitioner or prescribing practitioner (nurse practitioner or endorsed midwife) who will not participate in an abortion for any reason (including conscientious objection) must, without delay, refer the patient to a health practitioner or health facility which they believe can provide the requested service(s); or give the patient information that has been approved by the Chief Health Officer (PDF 500KB), about how the requested services can be accessed.
Contact Ahpra: https://www.ahpra.gov.au/
If you have a concern regarding a health practitioner you have been referred to by 1800 4 Choice, let us know through our feedback form.
Both medical and surgical abortions are available to people without a Medicare card. Medical terminations may also require an ultrasound and blood tests, which usually incur an out-of-pocket cost for those without a Medicare card.
The prescription drug used for the medical abortion procedure is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, meaning the medication may be more expensive without a Medicare card.
If you have private health insurance or travel insurance, please contact your provider to determine your coverage for abortion services. Our helpline staff can discuss your options and provide further assistance.
If you need more support or information with making a decision you can call 1800 4 Choice or speak to your GP, a sexual health doctor or nurse, or a counsellor.
Private health and travel insurance may help you cover the costs of medical treatment, hospital care, and some prescription medications you may need while in Australia. Each insurance provider will have a range of plans available, so contact your provider to check you are covered for what you might need. You should ask them about waiting periods, exclusions and other limitations on your plan.
If you’re from a country with a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement (RHCA) you might receive some Medicare benefits, also known as Reciprocal Medicare.
If you don’t have health cover in Australia, medical services can be costly, but the friendly nurses on our helpline can discuss your options.
Any person who can get pregnant — including transgender men, non-binary people and people of any gender who have a uterus — can have an abortion. We can help you find an inclusive provider.
The nurses staffing 1800 4 Choice are experienced in reproductive healthcare and can provide support to anyone during a medical abortion.
If you need assistance outside of helpline hours, you can call Health Direct on 1800 022 222.
Seek urgent medical attention (Call 000 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department) if you:
-
Have heavy vaginal bleeding, filling 2 pads an hour for ≥2 hours in a row.
-
Have severe pain
-
You have a serious reaction to any of the medications
-
Experience signs of infection like weakness, persistent fevers, chills or abnormal discharge other than blood
-
There are options available to people living in rural and regional Western Australia. Our helpline staff can assess your situation and discuss your options.
Appointments for abortion are not conducted via the 1800 4 Choice helpline. However, we can direct you to a telehealth abortion provider who can provide a medical abortion via a phone or video call.
Sexual and reproductive rights mean you should be able to make your own decisions about your body and access sexual and reproductive health services including contraception, termination, safe pregnancy and delivery.
Reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) is when someone is stopped from making choices about their reproductive health.
Pregnancy pressure is when someone is pressured to get pregnant or stop a pregnancy.
The three main types of behaviours are:
-
Contraception sabotage (with the intention to cause pregnancy e.g. Hiding condoms or taking them off during sex)
-
Pregnancy pressure or coercion (pressure to become pregnant)
-
Controlling the outcome of a pregnancy (pressure to terminate a wanted pregnancy or continue an unwanted pregnancy).
-
Yes! Everything you share with us is completely confidential. If you have an unblocked phone number, we will be able to see your phone number when you call or text us. This information is not recorded without your explicit permission. We will only return phone calls from voicemails that include explicit permission for us to call back.
We do not collect or record any of your identifying information. At the end of the call, you will be asked if you would be comfortable completing a survey two weeks after the call. This survey is optional and sent via text only to those who consent to participate. The survey will collect your feedback and help us continue improving the service.
FAQs
Counselling and Support
It can be helpful to talk to someone supportive and unbiased while you consider your personal circumstances to make the best decision for your situation. It's also helpful to reach out to trusted people in your network of support, such as friends or family members.
The following services in WA have been engaged by the WA Health Department to provide free, unbiased counselling, information and support for those considering their options around contraception, unplanned pregnancies and abortion.
For some people, decisions around pregnancy are relatively simple. For others, the decision-making process is more complex. SHQ offers non-judgemental support, including free counselling and bulk billed or no cost clinical consults, covering all unplanned pregnancy options. Phone counselling is also available.
The Abortion Project is a pro-choice peer support network for people who have had abortions. They exist to foster community, facilitate dialogue, friendship, solidarity and hope.
Desert Blue Connect (Geraldton)
Tel: (08) 9964 2742
Goldfields Women’s Health Care Association Inc (Kalgoorlie)
Tel: (08) 9021 8266
South West Women’s Health and Information Centre (Bunbury)
Tel: (08) 9791 3350 or Free call 1800 672 350
Children by Choice (National)
Tel: 1800 177 725
Denied care? Get support
All Western Australians are entitled to safe abortion services by a qualified healthcare provider.
What if your doctor or nurse refuses to help?
It is mandatory for all health practitioners who refuse to provide or advise on an abortion to transfer the patients care to a health practitioner or facility that they reasonably believe can provide abortion services or provide information approved by the Chief Health Officer to enable access to treatment elsewhere.
While most healthcare providers will be supportive, some may refuse to help.
All practitioners in Western Australia who refuse to provide or advise on an abortion for any reason are required to:
-
Immediately disclose any conscientious objection to their patient.
-
Transfer the patient’s care to a health practitioner or facility that they reasonably believe can provide abortion services or provide information approved by the Chief Health Officer to enable access to treatment elsewhere.
-
Provide abortion care in an emergency.
Planning for what to do if you don’t get support from the nurse or doctor can help you feel more capable of asking for help. The worst that can happen is that they can say no, and you will know what to do if that’s the case. Still, having a bad experience is not great, and planning how to take care of yourself can help you feel prepared to handle whatever comes your way.
Been denied care or have a concern about a health practitioner? Call 1800 4 Choice for support. You can also raise your concerns with The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Pregnancy options and abortion information
Pregnancy options and abortion information
The three pregnancy options are:
-
Continue the pregnancy and become a parent
-
Continue the pregnancy with a view to adoption
-
End the pregnancy by having an abortion
If you need more support or information with making a decision you can access this through your GP, a sexual health doctor or nurse, or a counsellor.
If you are pregnant, it is important to have time and support to make a decision that’s right for you. Some people may find it helpful to talk to a friend, family member or health professional.
What's an abortion?
An abortion is a way of ending, or terminating, a pregnancy. There are two types of abortion available in Western Australia – medical abortion and surgical abortion.