Policies and programs
We develop national policies and programs to improve reproductive health and reduce the incidence and impact of conditions that affect it, such as sexually transmissible infections (STI), and cervical cancer. These include:
- funding a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program to prevent cervical cancer, which is free to those eligible under the National Immunisation Program
- funding the National Cervical Screening Program, which provides a free cervical screening test every 5 years to those eligible
- providing Medicare support for fertility treatments, such as IVF and access to contraception
- providing Medicare support for genetic testing, which enables at-risk parents to avoid passing on significant genetic conditions to their child
- developing policies and programs to improve sexual health
- working to introduce mitochondrial donation into Australia
- funding targeted clinical trials to improve treatments and find cures for reproductive and gynaecological cancers
- providing national direction and supporting efforts to improve maternity services and stillbirth prevention
- funding pregnancy counselling to support women and their families in making informed decisions
- funding Endozone, which provides evidence-based information about diagnosis, symptoms, treatment and self-management for people with endometriosis.
Strategies and plans
We develop and contribute to strategies and plans about reproductive health issues, including the:
- National Women’s Health Strategy 2020–2030, which includes maternal, sexual and reproductive health as a priority area
- National Men’s Health Strategy 2020–2030, which includes sexual and reproductive health as a priority area
- National Action Plan for Endometriosis to improve awareness, understanding and treatment of endometriosis
- National STI Strategy 2018–2022
- Clinical Practice Guidelines: Pregnancy Care, which aim to improve pregnancy care for Australian women and their families.
Research
We fund research into reproductive health – including endometriosis, endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer – through the:
The Centre of Research Excellence in Sexual and Reproductive Health for Women in Primary Care brings together researchers, policy makers, women’s health organisations, healthcare professionals and consumers to improve women’s sexual and reproductive health.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports on research into the health of women, including mothers and babies.
Who we work with
We work with various stakeholders involved in reproductive health, including:
- state and territory governments
- peak bodies
- research organisations.