Family Planning Australia welcomes boost for contraceptive access
Family Planning Australia is delighted to be named as the LARC Centre of Excellence in NSW, commissioned by the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network (HNECC PHN) to deliver better access to safe, affordable, long-acting reversible contraception (LARC).
The Commonwealth-funded Centre of Excellence will launch on 31 October 2026 and run until 2029. The project funds health workers to provide appointments for long-acting reversible contraceptives at no cost to patients, Family Planning Australia medical lead Dr Lucy Cho said.
“We know long-acting contraceptives like the implant, copper IUD and hormonal IUDs provide highly effective contraception, and are an increasingly popular choice with people looking for a set and forget option,” Dr Cho said.
“Long-acting reversible contraceptives are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and with no-cost procedures, these highly effective and quickly reversible contraceptives will be more affordable for people who may previously have thought they were out of reach.’’
Costs for the hormonal IUD or implant still apply, but they are subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for many people, with out-of-pocket costs likely to be around $25 or less for Medicare card holders. The copper IUD is not on the PBS but will still be more affordable with the cost of the appointments covered.
In NSW, Family Planning Australia will work with HNECC PHN to increase availability of long-acting reversible contraceptives to the public and continue to provide education and training to more health workers in their insertion and removal.
“This will result in people who previously may have been financially or geographically unable to access these contraceptives having their contraceptive choices expanded,” Dr Cho said.
HNECC PHN, Chief Executive Officer Richard Nankervis said: “Access to contraception should not be determined by where someone lives or whether they can afford an appointment. 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.
“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.”
During the contractual period Family Planning Australia will operate a clinical services hub from its clinics and outreach services, and a training and leadership hub that builds the skills of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals to provide LARC services across the state.
Media enquiries:
Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network
Family Planning Australia
P: 0402 880 653 E: media@fpnsw.org.au W: www.fpnsw.org.au
