# Victoria to make abortion care free

> Both major parties commit to covering out-of-pocket costs for abortion up to 16 weeks, making Victoria the first Australian state to offer free universal access.
- Title: Victoria to make abortion care free · the Guardian | Shortify
- Summary: Both major parties commit to covering out-of-pocket costs for abortion up to 16 weeks, making Victoria the first Australian state to offer free universal…
- Keywords: victoria, abortion access, 2026 victorian election, jess wilson, labor party, coalition, ingrid stitt, ben carroll, healthcare policy, news, politics, make
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/15/victoria-to-become-first-state-to-make-abortions-free
- Published: 2026-10-15T06:35:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: victoria, abortion access, 2026 victorian election, jess wilson, labor party, coalition, ingrid stitt, ben carroll, healthcare policy, news, politics
## Labor announces free abortion care
Victorian health minister Ingrid Stitt announced Thursday that Labor will cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care up to sixteen weeks' gestation, including GP and specialist consultations, scans, tests and medication.
## Coalition matches Labor's core promise
Opposition leader Jess Wilson confirmed Thursday afternoon that a Liberal National Coalition government would match Labor's commitment to cover out-of-pocket costs for abortion care up to sixteen weeks' gestation.

> The Liberals and Nationals will not allow Labor to play politics on this issue.
## First state to offer free access
Victoria will become the first state in Australia to offer free universal access to abortion services, following the Australian Capital Territory which began covering out-of-pocket costs in two thousand twenty-three.
## Coalition expands regional support
The Coalition would also expand the Victorian patient transport assistance scheme so women in regional Victoria who must travel long distances for abortion care would be eligible for subsidised travel and accommodation.
## Labor goes further on medical abortion
Labor will extend access to medical abortion from nine to ten weeks' gestation and commission a clinical review into whether it could safely be offered up to twelve weeks.The Coalition will not match this commitment.
## Wilson rules out law changes
Opposition leader Jess Wilson ruled out any changes to abortion laws under a Coalition government, saying there will be no changes to abortion laws under a government she leads.

> There will be no changes to abortion laws under a government I lead. Full stop.
## Key takeaway

Victoria will become Australia's first state to make abortion care free after both Labor and the Coalition committed to covering out-of-pocket costs up to 16 weeks' gestation.