Everything you need to know about the abortion pill in Australia, RU486.

Content warning: This post contains information regarding abortion.

How to plan an abortion is something you mightn’t have thought about unless you’ve been in the position of needing to. Unfortunately, abortion in Australia isn’t as straightforward as making a choice about your own uterus.

The process of getting an abortion in Australia is complicated.

The reality is this: like planning to buy a house or planning to have a family, planning to have an abortion – should you ever need one – is something to consider before you find yourself in the situation of needing or wanting one, because a lack of time and knowledge can limit your already limited options.

Watch: Is Abortion Legal In Australia? The answers are a little more complicated. Post continues after video.

One such option is the abortion pill, otherwise known as RU486.

An option to a surgical abortion, which is a day surgery performed by a doctor or gynaecologist, the abortion pill in Australia can be taken to medically abort a pregnancy at home.

Sounds simple, but it’s not really.

Let’s go through everything you need to know about the abortion pill, from the cost of the abortion pill and abortion pill side effects to where to get the abortion pill, should you need to.

What is the abortion pill?

The abortion pill is actually two pills – Mifepristone (RU486) and Misoprostol – taken together in what is known as a medical abortion (or non-surgical abortion). It is only available for pregnancies up to nine weeks (more on that later).

"A medical abortion is a way for a woman to have an abortion on her terms," Sydney-based General Practitioner Dr Brad McKay told Mamamia.

Abortion in Australia isn't as simple as making a choice about your own uterus. Image: Getty.

How does RU486 work?

The combination of Mifepristone and Misoprostol works to terminate early pregnancy by forcing the uterus to 'expel' the pregnancy in a way that mimics a woman's regular period.

Dr McKay explained Mifepristone "blocks the production of progesterone," a hormone needed to sustain pregnancy. 36-48 hours after taking Mifepristone, the Misoprostol tablet is taken, which softens and opens the cervix, and causes the uterus to contract and pass out the remaining pregnancy tissue.

Can you get the abortion pill over the counter?

The abortion pill is available to purchase at pharmacies following a landmark decision by the Australian Government in June. You do need a prescription to buy RU486.

Can you get the abortion pill from your GP or a pharmacist?

In June 2023, RU486 became easier to access under new rules that allow doctors without specification certification to prescribe the abortion pill.

It can now be prescribed by any healthcare practitioner with appropriate qualifications and training, including nurse practitioners. Previous restrictions on pharmacists have also been lifted.

Previously, only very few GPs in Australia were authorised to prescribe a medical abortion as additional training was required to prescribe RU486. 

The abortion pill is also mostly readily available in Australia through private abortion clinics around Australia or through a tele-abortion.

What is 'Tele-abortion' and how does it work?

A tele-abortion, also known as a medical abortion by phone, allows women to safely access the abortion pill and terminate a pregnancy without visiting a clinic or local provider, Marie Stopes Australia reports.

In Australia, there are two tele-abortion providers: The Tabbot Foundation and Marie Stopes Australia, a not-for-profit organisation.

How to access tele-abortion services.

According to The Tabbot Foundation and Marie Stopes, the process of having a tele-abortion is:

1. Contact The Tabbot Foundation (1800 180 880) or Marie Stopes (1300 401 926), or enquire via their online booking forms to have someone contact you.
2. You'll be provided with discreet referral forms to get an ultrasound and a blood test at a location near you.
3. If your test results show you are eligible to have a tele-abortion, you will have a phone consultation with a qualified medical professional.
4. You'll be provided with the abortion pill and any other necessary medications by courier.
5. Conduct the medical termination at home.
6. In the seven to 10 days following the medication, you will need to get a second blood test to confirm the termination was successful.
7. Follow up support, including access to a 24-hour nurse and doctor aftercare service, will be provided after the termination.

Can everyone have a tele-abortion?

Tele-abortions can be performed up to nine weeks into pregnancy, but to access the service, your pregnancy must be less than 63 days along by the time of the abortion.

"Patients need to be booked in by eight weeks because the medication can be taken up to nine weeks (63 days)," Marie Stopes Senior Medical Officer Dr Catriona Melville told Mamamia.

"So if someone called us who was 57 days, we would work out where they live, how long it would take for the medication to reach them and they can have their doctor consult and medication before reaching 63 days, then we would provide the service."

Other tele-abortion considerations include:

• You must live within 120 minutes of a medical facility in the unlikely event you will need treatment.
• You must be 16 or over to access the treatment.
• You must have access to the internet and be able to understand and speak English.
• The state you live in - please check the state-by-state regulations (e.g. The Tabbot Foundation don't provide tele-abortions to South Australian residents, and Marie Stopes require two GP referrals if you live in Western Australia).

How much does the abortion pill cost?

How much the abortion pill costs depends on how and where you access it.

The actual abortion pill medications cost $38.80 under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). However, a medical abortion accessed through a GP costs anywhere between $0 and $580 upfront. According to The Oz, regional Australians could pay up to $700 for a medical abortion. 

This differs from state to state:

• NSW: $100 - $600, varies depending on the clinic (according to Family Planning NSW - you can find NSW medical abortion providers via Children By Choice).
• ACT: Free and available in public hospitals/clinics for Medicare Card holders and those without a Medicare Card (ACT Government).
• TAS: $309.49 required up front, $192 total out of pocket with a Medicare Card and $337.40 required up front, $220 total out of pocket without a Medicare Card (via Pregnancy Choices Tasmania).
• VIC: Free for limited patients through The Royal Women's Hospital, between $100 - $600, cost depends on clinic (see Victorian service providers at 1800 My Options).
• SA: Free and available in public hospitals/clinics for Medicare card holders (via SA Health).
• WA: $255 with Medicare or Private Health, $410 without (MSI Australia) $700 with Nanyara Medical Group however price dependant on where you go (Nanyara Medical Group tells Mamamia the cost is an an all-inclusive procedure which includes an ultrasound and follow-up.) 
• NT: Free and available in public hospitals/clinics for Medicare Card holders (via Family Planning Welfare Association of Northern Territory).
• QLD: $6.60 for Healthcare/Concession Card holders, $41.69 for Medicare Card holders, $330-$350 for Non-Medicare Card holders (according to Children By Choice, an organisation that has a financial assistance program for disadvantaged Queensland women seeking a termination).

A medical abortion (non-surgical abortion) through Marie Stopes costs:

• With a valid Medicare Card = $580 (some private health insurers cover medical abortion).

A tele-abortion through Marie Stopes costs:

• With a valid Medicare Card = $255 (plus $70 for medications and delivery)
• With a valid Health Care Card = $255 (plus $48 for medications and delivery)

A tele-abortion through The Tabbot Foundation costs:

• With a valid Medicare Card = $325 (includes all medications and medical consultations/advice).
• Without a Medicare Card = $600.

Private health cover is not applicable to tele-abortion services.

Abortion pill side effects.

Women may experience side effects after taking the abortion pill, most of which mimic a period.

After taking Mifepristone, you may experience:

• Nausea or dizziness.
• Bleeding and cramps that feel like a painful period (sometimes severe cramping).
• Headache, chills and diarrhoea.

If any of these side effects last for longer than a few days, contact your relevant health professional (GP or 24/7 support service of your abortion provider).

This article was originally published on February 23, 2019 and has since been updated with new and relevant information.

This article is not to be substituted for professional, personalised advice. For more individual information about medical abortion in Australia, please contact Australian Women's Health Network or the Government Health website for your state.

If this post brings up any issues for you, please contact SANDS on 1300 072 637 or Lifeline on 13 11 14. If you are in immediate danger, call 000.

Feature Image: Getty.