The changes, which include better access to cheaper contraceptives, expanded services for women experiencing menopause, and more endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, will save women and their families thousands of dollars across their lifetimes.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and this March marks 12 months since the opening of the Bendigo Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic. That’s 12 months of specialised support for women in Bendigo experiencing endometriosis and pelvic pain.

Part of Labor's $573.3 million investment will go towards expanding services at the clinic to include menopause and perimenopause services, and making sure they are properly staffed to help more local women access care.

Other measures included in this announcement are,

• The first PBS listing for new oral contraceptive pills in more than 30 years, with the listing of Yaz® and Yasmin® saving 50,000 women hundreds of dollars a year and work underway to list more contraceptive pills. 
  
  
• More choice, lower costs and better access to long-term contraceptives, with larger Medicare payments and more bulk billing for IUDs and birth control implants saving around 300,000 women a year up to $400 in out-of-pocket costs. 
  
  
• More Medicare support for women experiencing menopause, with a new Medicare rebate for menopause health assessments, funding to train health professionals, the first-ever clinical guidelines and a national awareness campaign. 
  
  
• The first PBS listing for new menopausal hormone therapies in over 20 years, with around 150,000 women each year saving hundreds of dollars a year. 
  
  

• More endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics treating more conditions, opening 11 new clinics and ensuring all 33 clinics are staffed to provide specialist support for menopause. 

This builds on the work the Federal Labor Government has done to help women and their families access a GP, making record investments into bulk billing and opening the Bendigo Urgent Care Centre, which has now seen over 5,500 patients since it opened on 16 October.

It's all part of Labor's plan to deliver women in the Bendigo electorate more choice, lower costs and better health care.


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BENDIGO, LISA CHESTERS MP: 

“We’ve come a long way from the days of talking about women’s health being a taboo topic of conversation, but for too long access and affordability have been barriers to many women receiving the healthcare they need.

“Labor has already delivered 22 endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics, including one right here in Bendigo. This package will see more clinics opened, and their services expanded to include support for women experiencing menopause and perimenopause.

“This only happens when you have a government that is serious about women’s health and is serious about addressing gender inequity and inequality.”


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO BENDIGO COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES CEO, MANDY HUTCHINSON:

“This funding boost will support us to continue delivering a much-needed service to people suffering from the impacts of endometriosis, pelvic pain, menopause and perimenopause.

“As awareness in the community grows about interventions to assist women through menopause and perimenopause, so do the phone calls to our clinic from women seeking support.

“We already offer longer appointments for these women, and this funding allocation will allow us to continue to do that.

“We are pleased that women are being heard.”


QUOTES ATTRIBUTABLE TO BENDIGO COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES LEAD CLINICIAN, DR KARISHMA KAUR:

“As a GP, it’s my role to ensure women feel supported and empowered during this time.

"We need to create an environment where women feel safe discussing menopause openly with their doctors, family, and friends. The more we talk about it, the less isolated women will feel during this transition.

"I encourage women to stay active, eat a balanced diet, manage stress, and ensure they’re getting adequate sleep. For those experiencing severe symptoms, there are treatments available—both hormonal and non-hormonal—that can help manage discomfort.

"Menopause can be a time of self-discovery and empowerment. With the right support, women can manage symptoms and embrace this new phase of life with confidence and strength."