Australians could be paying hundreds extra for contraception depending on their postcode, according to a new Compare the Market Australian Contraception Index. The index assessed every state and territory on affordability, out-of-pocket costs, access to family planning providers and government policy settings, revealing significant disparities across the country.

• South Australia has been named the best state in Australia for contraception affordability and access, topping Compare the Market’s index with a score of 79.27 out of 100.
• NSW ranks last in the index with a score of 26.39 out of 100, with its accessibility not enough to outweigh the high cost of contraception.
• The research analysed how Australian states and territories compare on the cost and accessibility of contraception by analysing the affordability of common contraceptive methods, accessibility and policy settings across every state and territory.

Long-term contraception procedures recorded the largest pricing gaps nationally. Vasectomy costs range from just $180 in South Australia to $821.49 in the ACT, meaning ACT residents pay around 356% more than South Australians for the procedure. The gap is even larger for laparoscopic tubal sterilisation, with the procedure costing $500 in both South Australia and Tasmania but rising to $1,600 in the ACT.

Australia’s best and worst states for contraception access and affordability

South Australia leads the nation for contraception affordability and access

South Australia topped the rankings as Australia’s best state for contraception affordability and access, with a score of 79.27 out of 100.

This ranking is largely driven by South Australia’s out-of-pocket contraception costs, the lowest in the index. South Australians pay the lowest price nationally for the oral pill ($21.08 on average), copper IUD insertion ($128.27 on average), and vasectomy procedures ($180 on average). It also has the lowest laparoscopic tubal sterilisation costs, equal to Tasmania, at an average of $500.

New South Wales ranks last overall.

NSW may offer the best access to contraception providers in the index, but its high costs mean it ranks last overall. While the state places first for access, it ranks last for out-of-pocket costs and second last for affordability.

The state’s ranking is driven by the highest provider density in the index, with 2.5 services per kilometre, giving residents greater physical access to contraception services than anywhere else in Australia.

However, NSW records some of the highest contraception costs nationally. It has the most expensive average condom price at $13.27, and the highest hormonal IUD insertion cost at $225. The state also reports above-average costs for vasectomy and laparoscopic tubal sterilisation procedures.

Victoria

Victoria ranks as the least affordable state for contraception, driven by its particularly high costs across numerous common contraceptive methods. The state records the highest average price nationally for the oral contraceptive pill ($25.31), copper IUD insertion ($352.28) and implant insertion ($225.98).

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory ranks second in the index, with a score of 69.26 out of 100. While it does not record the lowest out-of-pocket costs nationally, it achieves the highest affordability score, reflecting the fact that contraception costs account for a smaller share of local incomes than anywhere else in Australia.

Tasmania

Tasmania places fourth in the index with a score of 50.69, outperforming larger states including Queensland, WA, Victoria and NSW.

Queensland

Queensland ranks fifth overall with an index score of 42.09, despite recording Australia’s strongest contraception policy score at 89.1%.

ACT

The ACT ranks third overall in the index with a score of 53.53 and performs particularly well on affordability.

Steven Spicer, Executive General Manager of Health at Compare the Market, says.

“Access to contraception shouldn’t depend on your postcode, yet our research shows that Australians can face vastly different costs depending on where they live.

“In some cases, the cost of long-term contraceptive procedures can vary by more than $1,000 between states, creating a significant financial barrier for many Australians.

“Private health insurance is unlikely to reduce the cost of most contraceptives used exclusively for contraception. However, depending on the policy and medical circumstances, cover may be available for some related prescription medicines or procedures undertaken in a private hospital, which can help reduce overall out-of-pocket healthcare costs.”