Expansion of the endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics
On 9 February 2025, the Australian Government announced an expansion of the Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics (clinics) over three years (2025-26 to 2027-28). The expansion will include funding for 11 new clinics, bringing the total number of clinics nationally to 33. The existing 22 clinics will receive extension of funding to continue providing specialist care and support.
In addition, the remit of all clinics will be expanded to provide information and support services for women seeking specialist care to manage menopause and perimenopause symptoms.
More information on the expansion of the clinics can be found in the media release from Minister Butler.
About the initiative
The Australian Government is funding endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics in every state and territory in Australia. These clinics aim to:
- improve access for patients to diagnostic, treatment and referral services for endometriosis and pelvic pain
- build the primary care workforce to manage this chronic condition
- improve access to new information and care pathways.
Why it is important
Endometriosis is a complex and debilitating chronic condition that can be hard to diagnose, with those suffering waiting an average of 6-8 years before diagnosis. It is a progressive condition that can start at puberty and continue through to old age. In Australia it affects at least one in nine girls, women and those assigned female at birth.
Goals
The clinics will provide multi-disciplinary care with a focus on:
- improving the timeliness of diagnosis
- promoting early access to intervention, care, treatment options, and referral services for endometriosis and pelvic pain.
Meeting our goals
We are funding the clinics through the Primary Health Networks (PHN). Clinics have a range of mechanisms available to ensure:
- provision of services to priority populations
- affordable patient support services
- greater accessibility for patients across the community.
Recognising that endometriosis is a complex condition that effects people in many ways, these services and treatments will be multidisciplinary.
Current endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics
| State | Clinic | Location | PHN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ACT | Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT (SHFPACT) | Canberra, ACT | ACT PHN | Find out more about the Canberra clinic |
| NSW | Coffs Harbour Women’s Health Centre | Coffs Harbour, NSW | North Coast PHN | Find out more about the Coffs Harbour clinic |
| NSW | Hunters Hill Medical Practice | Hunters Hill, NSW | Northern Sydney PHN | Find out more about the Hunters Hill clinic |
| NSW | Leichardt General Practice | Leichardt, NSW | Central and Eastern Sydney PHN | Find out more about the Leichardt clinic |
| NSW | Milton Medical Centre | Milton, NSW | South Eastern NSW PHN | Find out more about the Milton clinic |
| NSW | Orange Family Medical Centre | Orange, NSW | Western NSW PHN | Find out more about the Orange clinic |
| NSW | Rouse Hill Town Medical and Dental Centre | Rouse Hill, NSW | Western Sydney, PHN | Find out more about the Rouse Hill clinic |
| NSW | The Women’s Health Centre Southern Highlands | Mittagong, NSW | South Western Sydney PHN | Find out more about the Mittagong clinic |
| NT | Northside Health Darwin | Coconut Grove, NT | Northern Territory PHN | Find out more about the Northern Territory clinic |
| Qld | Benowa Super Clinic | Benowa, QLD | Gold Coast PHN | Find out more about the Benowa clinic |
| Qld | Family Planning Queensland | Cairns, QLD | Northern Queensland PHN | Find out more about the Cairns clinic |
| Qld | MATSICHS (Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Ltd) | Morayfield, QLD | Brisbane North PHN | Find out more about the Morayfield clinic |
| Qld | Neighbourhood Medical | Bardon, QLD | Brisbane North PHN | Find out more about the Bardon clinic |
| SA | Kadina Medical Associates | Kadina, SA | Country SA PHN | Find out more about the Kadina clinic |
| SA | Thrive Family Practice | Glenelg South, SA | Adelaide, PHN | Find out more about the Adelaide clinic |
| Tas | Family Planning Tasmania | Glenorchy, TAS | Tasmania PHN | Find out more about the Hobart clinic |
| Vic | Bendigo Community Health Services | Bendigo, VIC | Murray PHN | Find out more about the Bendigo clinic |
| Vic | EACH Practice | Ringwood East, VIC | Eastern Melbourne PHN | Find out more about the Ringwood clinic |
| Vic | Epping Plaza Medical and Dental Centre | Epping, VIC | Eastern Melbourne PHN | Find out more about the Epping clinic |
| Vic | Kardinia Health | Belmont, VIC | Western Victoria PHN | Find out more about the Kardinia clinic |
| WA | Pioneer Health Albany | Albany, WA | Country WA PHN | Find out more about the Albany clinic |
| WA | The Garden Family Medical Clinic | Murdoch, WA | Perth South PHN | Find out more about the Perth clinic |
|
Outcomes
An evaluation of the clinics is underway and is anticipated to be completed in mid-2025. This evaluation will help integrate available support into the treatment and management of people with coexisting conditions such as endometriosis.
More measures to help women to find more appropriate care and better manage the impact of endometriosis and pelvic pain include:
- access to a new Medicare-funded magnetic resonance imaging scan to assist in the investigation of infertility for those with severe endometriosis and other conditions
- a review of the Medicare Benefits Schedule and Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme items used to support the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. The review will report on available treatments for endometriosis and recommendations for both improved utilisation of items and promotion of available treatments
- development of an Endometriosis Management Plan to support patients in primary care
- support to the National Endometriosis Clinical and Scientific Trials Network to continue growing research capacity and address research gaps
- funding for an Endometriosis Living Guideline to support new and ongoing research into the diagnosis and management of endometriosis
- promotion of the Australian Clinical Practice Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Endometriosis
- funding for increasing awareness of endometriosis in priority populations. This includes implementing a
- Mentor Program to support those newly diagnosed with endometriosis
- Workplace Assistance Program to facilitate discussions in the workplace
- continued support for the EndoZone digital platform to provide consumer access to evidence-based information.
Learn more about these measures in our progress report.
Contact
