Article: More Choice, Lower Costs and Better Health Care for Women
Published on 10 March 2025.
More choice, lower costs and better health care for women.
The Australian Government will invest $573.3 million to deliver more choice, lower costs and better health care for women.
New contraceptive pills listed on the PBS, after more than 30 years.
A new contraceptive pill hasn’t been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) in more than 30 years. As a result, 1 in 3 Australian women aged 18-39 who use the combined oral contraceptive pill are paying for a non-PBS listed pill which costs them hundreds of dollars more each year.
From 1 March 2025, some of the most commonly used contraceptive pills, Yaz® and Yasmin®, will be listed on the PBS, after the Minister for Health and Aged Care asked the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to consider how to extend PBS benefits to the newer generation of oral contraceptives and menopause hormone therapies.
The listing of drosperinone with ethinylestradiol (Yaz® and Yasmin®) is expected to benefit around 50,000 women each year, who would otherwise pay around $380 per year and will now pay $126.40 a year, or just $30.80 a year with a concession card.
Work is also underway to progress the listing of other contraceptive pills.
More choice, lower costs and better access to long-term contraceptives.
Australian women have some of the lowest uptake of long-term contraceptives like intrauterine contraceptive devices (IUDs) or birth control implants, despite these being the most effective option. One in 10 Australian women use a long-term contraceptive, compared to 1 in 8 women in New Zealand, 1 in 7 in Ireland and 1 in 3 in Sweden.
The Government will boost Medicare payments to doctors and nurse practitioners to provide bulk billed insertion and removal of IUDs and implants. Medicare rebates will increase by up to 150 per cent, with around 300,000 women each year expected to save up to $400 in outof-pocket costs.
IUDs and birth control implants provide health benefits that extend beyond contraception, including for the management of heavy menstrual bleeding and painful periods, endometriosis, as well as perimenopause and menopause. An investment of $25.1 million will establish 8 Centres of Training Excellence to ensure healthcare professionals are trained, skilled and confident in this area. Department of Health and Aged Care – More choice, lower costs and better health care for women
More Medicare support for women experiencing menopause with health assessments, national guidelines, and the information they and their doctor need.
One in 5 Australian women will have menopausal symptoms severe enough to interfere with their daily life.
From 1 July 2025, a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments will be introduced for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause, so they can get the care and support they need from their family GP.
The Government will also provide funding for health professionals to undertake additional training in menopause and perimenopause and develop the first-ever national clinical guidelines. A national awareness campaign will help women have informed discussions with their doctor or health professional.
The expanding network of endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics will be staffed to also provide specialist support for menopause.
New menopausal hormone therapies listed on the PBS, after more than 20 years.
After more than 20 years, three new menopausal hormone therapies will be listed on the PBS, after the Minister for Health and Aged Care asked the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee to consider how to extend PBS benefits to menopause hormone therapies and the newer generation of oral contraceptives.
From 1 March 2025, estradiol (Estrogel®), progesterone (Prometrium®) and estradiol and progesterone (Estrogel® Pro) will be listed on the PBS, helping to secure supply and end the shortage of these important treatments.
Around 150,000 women each year are expected to benefit, who otherwise might pay between $400 and $670 a year, but will soon pay a maximum of $31.60 each month or just $7.70 with a concession card. Women on these therapies will save up to $290 a year, or up to $577 a year with a concession card.
More endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics available in more places and equipped to diagnose and treat menopause.
Since coming to Government, Labor has invested more than $127 million to support women with endometriosis, including boosting Medicare rebates for specialist gynaecological care, listing the first endometriosis medicine on the PBS in 30 years, and establishing 22 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.
As part of this package, the Government will deliver another 11 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across Australia and expand the remit of all 33 clinics to also provide specialist support for menopause and perimenopause. Department of Health and Aged Care – More choice, lower costs and better health care for women
Contraceptives and treatment for uncomplicated UTIs directly from pharmacies.
To complement other state and territory programs, the Australian Government will provide over $100 million to support two national trials to make it cheaper and easier for many women to get treatment for uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs) and over-thecounter contraceptives.
From early 2026, 250,000 concession cardholders will be able to consult a trained pharmacist at no cost and, if medications are required, pay only the usual medicine cost.