- $4.5 million investment allows trained pharmacists to prescribe contraception
- Reform aims to improve access to ease pressure on GPs
Women in New South Wales (NSW) will soon be able to access the oral contraceptive pill directly from eligible, trained pharmacists, following a $4.5 million investment by the Minns Government to expand pharmacy-based care.
The expansion will allow eligible pharmacists to prescribe the pill to women over the age of 18, removing the need for a GP appointment and enabling fast, more convenient access to care.
In a statement released today (15 April 2026), the NSW Government says that under the expansion, it will fund the first 5000 pharmacist consultations, with subsequent consultations expected to cost between $20 and $60.
The initiative builds on the state’s oral contraceptive pill resupply clinical trial launched in September 2023, with 773 pharmacies currently registered to provide the service.
‘It just makes sense’
“This is basic healthcare for millions of Australian women — and this is about making it easier to get that care, without extra cost or hassle,” says NSW Premier Chris Minns.
“Just because something’s always been done a certain way, it doesn’t mean it’s the best way to keep doing it — it’s not working for busy women to access a doctor to get a script.
“Being able to go to your local pharmacy and sort it out quickly just makes sense.”
- Additional oral contraceptive pills
- The medroxyprogesterone acetate injection
- The combined hormonal contraceptive ring.
The Pharmacy Board of Australia will also be releasing national guidelines on endorsed pharmacist prescribers.
“This announcement recognises trained community pharmacists can safely deliver essential women’s health services where and when women need them,” says Catherine Bronger, Senior Vice President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, NSW Branch.
“Expanding pharmacists’ ability to initiate and continue contraception is vital to improving access for women facing cost, time or postcode barriers to seeing a GP.”
‘Women’s health — a key priority’
The NSW Government says this reform is about removing the time, cost and hassle that too often gets in the way of women accessing basic healthcare.
“Improving women’s health outcomes is a key priority for the Minns Government, and part of this is increasing access to services no matter their postcode,” says Minister for Women Jodie Harrison.
“This expansion of who can first supply contraception and making more options available via pharmacists is one way we are supporting busy women across our state.”
NSW Chief Health Officer and Deputy Secretary, Population and Public Health, Dr Kerry Chant AO PSM, says that the initiative addresses gaps in women’s healthcare.
“This investment is about addressing gaps in women’s access to contraception options in the health system, particularly for women where cost, service availability and location limit access to care,” she says.
“Improving access to long-acting reversible contraception supports equitable access to essential reproductive healthcare, ensuring the most women in NSW can access even more options of contraception in a timely, simpler and appropriate way.”
