Women facing appointment fees of more than $300 for an IUD or contraceptive implant can now have them inserted for free through Family Planning Australia, including at outreach services for rural and regional women.
The Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) has commissioned Family Planning Australia to deliver the LARC Centre of Excellence program in NSW to improve access to long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).
Family Planning Australia is one of eight centres nationally funded by the Federal Government to 2029.
Appointments are available at Family Planning Australia’s clinics in Newington, Fairfield, Penrith, Dubbo, and Newcastle, plus outreach services for rural and regional communities.
“Cost can be a deciding factor for many people when it comes to choosing a contraceptive,” said Family Planning Australia Medical Lead Dr Lucy Cho.
“The LARC Centre of Excellence means that at Family Planning Australia women, girls and gender diverse people only need to pay for the LARC device they choose, not for the appointment for the device to be inserted.”
“In private clinics, clients can face appointment fees of more than $300 for these contraceptives.”
A hormonal IUD or implant through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) is usually $25 for Medicare cardholders, $7.70 for concession card holders, or free for those on the Close the Gap program. Non-hormonal copper IUDs are not on the PBS and cost around $130.
“As well as now being a more affordable option, LARCs are also safe, an ideal set and forget method and more than 99 per cent effective at preventing pregnancy,” Dr Cho said.
“Importantly, we know that fertility returns to your usual level rapidly once the contraceptive is removed.”
“Access to contraception should not be determined by where someone lives or whether they can afford an appointment,” said HNECC PHN Chief Executive Officer Richard Nankervis.
“This investment will help remove some of those barriers by making long-acting reversible contraception more accessible and affordable, while also strengthening the skills of health professionals to provide these services.”
Appointments can be booked by calling Family Planning Australia on 1300 372 372. Free, confidential advice on LARCs is available from Talkline nurses through an online chat at fpnsw.org.au
“We are pleased to partner with Family Planning Australia to support greater choice and better access to high-quality reproductive healthcare for people across NSW, particularly those who experience the greatest barriers to care,” Mr Nankervis said.
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