Earlier this week, New South Wales Parliament passed the Abortion Law Reform Amendment (Health Care Access) Bill 2025 which amends the Abortion Law Reform Act 2019.

The new bill, which was introduced by Greens Upper House MP Dr Amanda Cohn, enables nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives to prescribe abortion medication MS2-Step, and also requires extra public reporting on abortion services.

Family Planning Australia say the bill is a good step forward but "more needs to be done" to improve the situation in areas like the western plains where abortion services are often absent.

Despite abortion being decriminalised in NSW for the past five years, several reports have shown the difficulty women in regional areas experience accessing reproductive health services.

The University of Sydney's 'Access all Areas: Abortion in Australia' report from December 2024 found that out of NSW's 220 public hospitals only three (Broken Hill hospital, John Hunter in Newcastle, and Royal Women's Hospital in Sydney) routinely provide abortion services.

A 2024 report from Family Planning Australia found 37 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in NSW did not have a doctor providing medical abortion scripts.

Many Western Plains App LGAs were on this list, including Bogan, Bourke, Brewarrina, Coonamble, Cobar, Walgett, and Warrumbungle.

Family Planning Australia CEO Sue Shilbury, said it was frustrating to see the lack of consistency in the state's approach to abortion care.

"Abortion access in rural New South Wales is patchy at best, and women often have to travel long distances to get abortions," said Shilbury.

Family Planning Australia CEO Sue Shilbury. Image: supplied.

"There are private providers offering abortion services, but women from disadvantaged and vulnerable communities face the greatest difficulty in accessing abortion healthcare.

"There are significant costs, not only associated with the procedure itself through private providers, but also with travel and accommodation when women have to leave home to access a service.

"This adds significant stress to an already stressful situation, and it shouldn’t be the case.

"Abortion care is essential healthcare.

"We encourage NSW Health to adopt a more holistic approach in improving access to abortion healthcare. We often see moves to improve access in response to lack of services in particular regions."

Family Planning reported there were 10 medical abortion prescriptions issued for every 1000 women in remote NSW in 2022.

In urban areas, there were only 4.2 medical abortion prescriptions for every 1000 women.

Shilbury said the amendments to the Abortion Law Reform Act 2019 were a "positive step."

"The bill will facilitate better access for women to have terminations earlier in their pregnancy, when the procedure is less risky and less stressful.

"Delays due to lack of access, unclear pathways or long wait times are unacceptable. 

"The passing of this bill will minimise barriers to women's reproductive rights and healthcare into the future.

"However, more needs to be done to improve access to abortion care for women living in rural and regional New South Wales."

Family Planning Australia recommends anyone seeking a pregnancy termination to speak with their local General Practitioner for advice as a first step. Indigenous women can also contact their local Aboriginal Medical Service for support and information.

You can also access services like the Pregnancy Choices Helpline for free, unbiased and confidential information.