Boosting health practitioner training for IUDs and birth control implants

The Albanese Government is delivering more choice, lower costs and better access to long-term contraceptives by providing free training to health practitioners in the placement and removal of IUDs and birth control implants. Launched during Women’s Health Week, this free training will boost the number of health practitioners qualified to provide birth control implant services, particularly in regional, rural and remote locations.

The aim is to ensure that more women, regardless of where they live, can access birth control implant services if that’s their preferred method of contraception. Sexual and Reproductive Health Australia and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners will deliver the national training project. This will include offering scholarships for regional, rural and remote participants will be available to cover the costs of travel and accommodation to attend training.

General practitioners, nurse practitioners, registered nurses and midwives are encouraged to undertake the accredited training. 

Approximately 70% of Australian women of reproductive age use some form of birth control, but an estimated one third have an unplanned pregnancy at some point in their lives.
This has been partially attributed to low uptake of Long Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC), which are one of the most effective types of contraception. The investment is part of the Government’s expanded landmark Women’s Health Package, investing $792.9 million in funding to deliver improved healthcare access and affordability for women and girls.

Applications for the national training project can be found online. 

Read the official media statement