For the first time in history, Australia will have a national teleabortion service.
Yesterday, it was announced that South Australia passed new regulations for the Termination of Pregnancy Act (SA) 2021.
The new law will take effect on 7 July 2022.
It will also mean that patients are no longer at risk of criminalisation. This means that Western Australia is the only remaining jurisdiction where a patient could be criminalised.
Until now, South Australians have had to travel to a health or hospital service to access a medical abortion. This contravenes other states and territories, all of which have access to medical abortion via telehealth.
Telehealth measures have been critical to maintaining abortion access throughout the pandemic.
In two weeks time, South Australians will be able to take medical abortion pills from the comfort of their own homes.
MSI Australia has one vasectomy clinic in South Australia, and a national telehealth team working remotely throughout the country.
MSI Australia Managing Director Jamal Hakim said from 7 July 2022, clients in South Australia will have access to the MSI telehealth clinic.
“This is historic for Australia as at home medical abortions can now be legally accessed in every state and territory in the country.
“While this legislation was passed in parliament last year, it has taken over a year to finalise the regulations so that the law can come into effect.
“Our teleabortion service for South Australian women and pregnant people will go live on 7 July and women and pregnant people will now be able to access this service from us.
“This means that wherever you live in South Australia you can call us and we can post the medical abortion pills to you.
“We are proud to provide our telehealth service which includes access to all options pregnancy choices counselling, so any client can choose to speak to a counsellor.
“Through this law coming into effect, it will be the first time in our history that we have national safe access zones and national telehealth abortion care.
“I want to thank the previous government for passing this legislation, the current government for bringing it into effect and all the advocates at the South Australian Abortion Action Coalition who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality. This is a win for bodily autonomy, for all.”
Women and pregnant people can book a teleabortion here.
Services in South Australia wishing to set up referral pathways with MSI Australia’s telehealth clinic can contact bookings@mariestopes.org.au to discuss referral pathway options.
Read the Termination of Pregnancy Act 2021 here and Regulations here.
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For further information contact Anna Jabour, MSI Australia, 0428 396 391.
MSI Australia is a national not for profit provider of sexual and reproductive health services including permanent and long-acting reversible contraception and abortion care. For more information on our clinic network visit mariestopes.org.au.