Starting November 1, approximately 300,000 women across Australia will gain access to several contraceptives newly included in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), promising significant financial relief.

In an announcement on Today, Health Minister Mark Butler revealed that three different contraceptive pills, along with the NuvaRing, will become part of the scheme. The NuvaRing is a device that releases a combination of estrogen and progestogen, preventing ovulation and offering the convenience of a monthly cycle, unlike daily oral contraceptives.

Previously, the annual cost of the NuvaRing was around $270. However, Butler stated that under the PBS, this cost will drastically drop to $31.60 per prescription. Those holding concessions will be able to obtain the device for just $7.70 per script.

This initiative will reduce costs by about two-thirds for most Australian women, with some saving up to 88 percent on their contraceptive expenses.

For most Aussie women, this will make it two-thirds cheaper, with some being able to save up to 88 per cent.

Three other pills will also be added to the scheme, as part of a wide-ranging plan to make birth control more affordable.

“Literally 300,000 women every year will save hundreds and hundreds of dollars,” Butler told Today.

“With three new pills that hundreds of thousands of women were using because they’re really highly effective and don’t have side effects that some of the older medicines have.”

Butler also announced on January 1 next year, contraceptives would cost no more than $25 per script.

“Australia’s women will have access to all of their contraceptive choices for no more than $100 a year,” he said.

“And that’s as it should be, this is essential care for hundreds of thousands of Australians.”

To support these measures, a new 40 per cent bulk billing incentive has been announced, which the government believes will incentivise doctors to provide long-acting contraception services to women.

“This is about making sure women have genuine choice when it comes to their reproductive health, choice that isn’t limited by cost or access,” Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said.