Medical Abortion

Business as usual, despite COVID-19

Despite the current COVID-19 or Coronavirus pandemic, Options Clinic Spring Hill and Tweed Heads are both still open for business. Please note the following…

  1. Gold Coast residents are safe to cross the NSW border to Tweed Heads clinic as medical appointments are a valid exempt. We will provide you with a letter to assist your return back home.

  2. We are operating as normal, as legally we are deemed to be carrying out Category 1 procedures & hence exempt from the surgical ban currently in effect.

  3. We test all patients & their companions’ temperature before they’re allowed to enter the clinic to prevent infected patients from entering our clinic.

Please get in touch with either clinic to ask questions you may have and to make an appointment.

Options Clinic Brisbane

383 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill
Clinic 07 3831 8300
Freecall 1300 405 585

Clinic Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday – 8 am to 5 pm

Options Clinic Gold Coast

127 Wharf Street, Tweed Heads
Clinic 07 5536 1626
Freecall 1300 405 585

Clinic Opening Hours
Monday to Saturday – 8 am to 5 pm

We are here to support you.

Abortion Law in NSW

The NSW Abortion Law passed in October 2019. It is legal to get an abortion up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, and after 22 weeks of pregnancy, and it requires the approval of two Doctors. Medical Practitioners who have a conscious objection to abortion should transfer patients seeking an abortion to another Practitioner or to a clinic who provides Abortion Services.

You do not need a referral to get an abortion; you can call the clinic directly to make an appointment.

Most abortions are performed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, and medical abortions (tablets) are performed up to 9 weeks gestation.

People under 16 years

If you are under 16 years old, your doctor will ask you questions to make sure you understand the procedure and what it will mean to you – this is called informed consent.

If your doctor judges you to be mature enough to understand what making this decision means, you can consent to an abortion on your own. It is usually a good idea to have a parent or trusted adult along to support you.

To read a Family Planning NSW Fact Sheet, click here >>

Contraception in women in their late 40’s and beyond 50 years

Women in their 40’s and 50’s are required to continue to use suitable contraception until they reach menopause.

If a woman stops menstruating for two years under the age of 50 or one year after 50, they are considered to be menopausal.  This can be supported by doing a blood test. Ask one of our doctors if you need a blood test.

Choosing suitable contraception for mature women

Suitable contraception such as Contraceptive Implant or IUD (non-hormonal or hormonal) and barrier methods for women in this age group to be considered.

Surgical and Medical terminations for overseas visitors

When it comes to terminations in our clinic, the cost of a medical versus surgical termination is the same for overseas visitors.

A surgical termination can be claimed with most private health insurance policies (we advise you check with your provider) whereas medical terminations are not.

The reason the cost of a medical termination is so high for overseas visitors is that the Australian government heavily subsidies the cost for Australian residents. The cost of the tablets alone is roughly $355.

If a Medical Termination fails or is incomplete, a surgical termination may be required. This comes at an additional cost. The possibility of needing a second termination needs to be considered when weighing up the options between a medical and surgical abortion.

Make sure you ask our staff any questions either over the phone or when you come in for your appointment. We are here to help you make the right decision for you.

Abortion Law in Queensland

According to the current legislation, it is legal upon request up to 22 weeks gestation and with the approval of two doctors thereafter for a surgical termination. It is also legal for a woman to receive a medical termination up to 9 weeks gestation.

Where a health practitioner conscientiously objects to a termination, they must disclose their objection and refer the woman to a health practitioner or service that can provide the requested service.

It is illegal to protest within 150-metres of an abortion service centre.

Women do not need a doctor referral to seek a termination of pregnancy to an abortion clinic in Queensland. You have a right to access safe abortion services.

Image courtesy of abc.net.au supplied by Susan Kotzur-Yang