Changes announced to make contraceptives more affordable for Australian women

Australian women will have more affordable and better access to long-acting reversible contraceptives from Saturday.

Under changes to the Medicare Benefits Schedule contraceptives like IUDs and birth control implants will be made more affordable for around 300,000 women each year, saving them up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs.

Contraceptive product NuvaRing — a soft plastic vaginal ring with hormones oestrogen and progestogen — will also be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme PBS for the first time.

Women who would have usually paid more than $270 a year, will expected to pay $31.60 per script for three month or $7.70 if they are concessional from November 1. And from January 1 the maximum women will pay per script will drop to $25.

Heath Minister Mark Butler said the government would also invest in free training for health practitioners in the insertion and removal of IUDs to boost the number of qualified practitioners and improve access to services.

“For too long, women’s health needs were sidelined, but the Albanese Government is changing that and delivering more choice, lower costs and better health care,” Mr Butler said.

“Australia has one of the lowest uptake rates in the developed world of long-acting contraceptives, partly due to access and affordability.

“These changes to MBS and expanded options though the PBS will remove cost and access barriers so more women can choose the contraceptive option that works best for them.”

Women Minister Katy Gallagher added it was about giving Australian women “genuine choice” over their reproductive health “choice that isn’t limited by cost or access.”