Policy Development

This is a collection of peak body policy documents, statements and papers related to sexual and reproductive health. To suggest a document to add to this list please email : cersh-admin@unimelb.edu.au

  • Victorian Government Policy and Reforms
    Victorian sexual and reproductive health and viral hepatitis strategy 2022-30

    The Victorian Government’s plan to improve the sexual and reproductive health of all Victorian women. The below link includes the 7 pieces of relevant policy.

    View here

    Victorian Law Reform Commission Report: Law of Abortion

    Tabled in the Victorian Parliament on 28 May 2008.

    View here

  • World Health Organisation (WHO) Resources
    WHO Pocket Guide: Medical Management of Abortion

    Medical abortion care encompasses the management of various clinical conditions including spontaneous and induced abortion (both viable and non-viable pregnancies), incomplete abortion and intrauterine fetal demise, as well as post-abortion contraception.

    Read here

    WHO Resource: Sexual Health, Human Rights and the Law

    Drawing from a review of public health evidence and extensive research into human rights law at international, regional and national levels, the report shows how states in different parts of the world can and do support sexual health through legal and other mechanisms that are consistent with human rights standards and their own human rights obligations.

    Copyright: WHO All rights reserved (2015).

    Read here

    WHO Resource: Abortion care guideline & online resources

    This resources presents the complete set of all WHO recommendations and best practice statements relating to abortion.

    Copyright: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO DEED - OPEN ACCESS

    Read here

    WHO Resource: Clinical practice handbook for quality abortion care

    The Clinical practice handbook for quality abortion care is intended to facilitate the practical application of the clinical recommendations from the above Abortion care guideline.

    Copyright: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO DEED - OPEN ACCESS

    Read here

    WHO Resource: Recommendations on self-care interventions - self management of medical abortion

    Abortion can be effectively managed by a wide range of health workers using medication or a surgical procedure, all of which can be provided at the primary care level. In early pregnancy, medical abortion can also be self-managed.

    Copyright: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO DEED - OPEN ACCESS

    Read here

  • Peak Body Papers and Submissions
    Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association & MSD Consensus Statement

    Reducing unintended pregnancy for Australian women through increased access to long-acting reversible contraceptive methods

    Read here

    World Medical Association Statement on Medical Abortion

    Revised advice to physicians on medically indicated termination of pregnancy has been issued by the World Medical Association in 2018.

    Read here

    Women With Disabilities Australia (WWDA) Position Statement 4: Sexual and Reproductive Rights

    In this Position Statement on Sexual and Reproductive Rights, WWDA outlines key evidence concerning ongoing violations of the sexual and reproductive rights of Australian women and girls with disability.

    Read here

    RANZCOG Clinical Guideline for abortion care

    The purpose of this guideline is to provide evidence-based recommendations to registered health professionals who provide advice and abortion care in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand.

    Copyright: All rights reserved. Permission to be reproduced by clinicians, hospitals and medical and allied health organisations without permission, provided following citation is used: Clinical Guideline for Abortion Care: An evidence-based guideline on abortion care in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand (2023). RANZCOG, Melbourne, Australia.

    Read here

    RANZCOG Abortion decision aid: an information tool to guide the discussion about whether to have a medical or surgical abortion
    Copyright: All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is subject to permission from RANZCOG unless permitted by law.

    Read here

  • Peak Body Papers and Submissions Cont.
    Ending the postcode lottery: Addressing barriers to sexual, maternity and reproductive healthcare in Australia
    Copyright: CC.BY.NC.ND 4.0 - OPEN ACCESS

    Read here

    Report and reccomendations from Community Affiars Standing Committee from Senate Inquiry into Universal Access to Reproductive Healthcare.

    Read here

    Women's Health Victoria - Submission to Senate Inquiry into Universal Access to Reproductive Healthcare (Submission 135)
    Copyright:  CC.BY.NC.ND 3.0 - OPEN ACCESS

    Read here

    University of Melbourne Department of Rural Health - Submission to Senate Inquiry into Universal Access to Reproductive Healthcare (Submission 145)
    Copyright:  CC.BY.NC.ND 3.0 - OPEN ACCESS

    Read here

    SPHERE Coalition Consensus Statement - Response to Senate inquiry into universal access to reproductive healthcare

    Read here