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Monash Expert: SPHERE welcomes increased Medicare support for Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC)

Monash University

Monash University’s SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence Director Professor Danielle Mazza AM has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of increased Medicare support for Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptive (LARC).

 

From 1 November 2025, the Medicare rebate for four existing Medicare items covering insertion and removal of LARCs is being increased significantly. 

 

Medicare item numbers are also being added to cover insertion and removal of LARCs by nurse practitioners.

 

Additionally if the insertion or removal and associated consultation is bulk billed there will be a 40 per cent loading added to the rebate. This bulk billing incentive is being provided to try and remove current, sometimes large, out of pocket costs incurred by women who choose to use LARC for contraception.  

Professor Danielle Mazza AM, Head of General Practice at Monash University, Chief Investigator and Director of the SPHERE Centre of Research Excellence in Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health in Primary Care and Australian National and Victorian Women’s Health Advisory Council member
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected]
Read more of Professor Mazza’s commentary at Monash Lens
 

• General practice

• Women's Health

• Endometriosis Care

• The need to improve access to both medical and surgical abortion and long acting reversible contraception

The following can be attributed to Professor Mazza AM:

“I welcome this week’s landmark implementation of Medicare changes designed to support increased provision of and access to Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives intrauterine devices and implants (LARCs) in Australia.

 

“While LARC is widely recognised as the most effective form of contraception – 99 per cent effective – the uptake in Australia has been very low, at just 11 per cent of women aged 14-49 years, and worse in rural areas.

 

“In many European countries, LARC use amongst women of reproductive age is more than 30 per cent, and in Denmark it is 39 per cent. 

 

“One of the main reasons LARC use is so low in Australia is likely the small number of trained providers in community settings. The Government changes will create a new environment to benefit Australian women.

 

“I’d like to congratulate the Government for implementing what are really meaningful initiatives. 

 

“These changes have come about in response to calls by SPHERE, GP providers and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners for the Government to support primary care provision of LARC. 

 

“They also complement a range of other initiatives designed to increase LARC provision in general practice and community settings including: training scholarships, the establishment of LARC Centres of Excellence in each state that will offer a rapid referral option for LARC insertion and more capacity to train primary care practitioners, and ongoing support for SPHERE’s online community of practice supporting primary care providers in relation to LARC and medication abortion provision (AusCAPPs).”

 

These reforms are part of the Strengthening Medicare Women’s Health Package announced in the February 2025 Federal Budget. SPHERE has collated a handy guide here. 

 

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For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, contact the Monash University Media Unit on +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected]