Ending the postcode lottery: Addressing barriers to sexual, maternity and reproductive healthcare in Australia

REPORT - May 2023

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Full Report (PDF)

Contents

Members

Terms of reference

Abbreviations and acronyms

List of recommendations

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Structure of the report
Government initiatives and support for sexual and reproductive healthcare
Conduct of the inquiry
A brief note on the language used within this report
Hansard references

Chapter 2 - Enhancing access to contraceptives

Introduction
Family planning and unintended pregnancies
Different forms of contraceptives
Regulation of contraceptives in Australia
Barriers to accessing contraceptives in Australia
Committee view

Chapter 3 - Reducing barriers to reproductive healthcare

Accessing maternity and termination care in Australia
Government initiatives to improve pregnancy care in Australia
Barriers to accessing reproductive healthcare in Australia
Committee view

Chapter 4 - Delivering appropriate and adapted care

Transgender people, non-binary people, and people with variations of sex characteristics
People with disability
Trauma-informed and culturally appropriate service delivery
Vulnerable women and reproductive coercion and abuse
Individuals accessing assisted reproductive technologies
Committee view

Chapter 5 - Improving literacy and enhancing employee rights

Sexual and reproductive health literacy
Reproductive health leave for employees
Committee view

Free contraceptives
No out-of-pocket costs for abortions
Harmonisation
Removing barriers for IVF and surrogacy
Workforce shortages and scope of practice
More work to be done
Acknowledgments

Additional comments from Labor Senators

Additional comments from Coalition Senators

Additional comments from Senator Tammy Tyrrell

Appendix 1 - Appendix 1 - Submissions and additional information received

Appendix 2 - Appendix 2 - Public Hearings

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