The federal government has announced the location of 11 additional clinics dedicated to endometriosis and pelvic pain, bringing the national total to 33. The new facilities are scheduled to open by the start of 2026 and will offer multidisciplinary services including support for perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
These clinics form part of the Women’s Health Package, a nearly $800 million initiative to improve access to healthcare for women and girls nationwide.
According to the government, endometriosis affects at least one in seven Australian women, often involving chronic pain and fertility issues, and patients may wait an average of seven years for a diagnosis. Pelvic pain is described as a complex condition with an estimated annual cost to the Australian economy of about $6 billion.
The 11 new clinics will be located at: Central Coast Community Women’s Health Centre in Wyoming, Winmalee Medical Centre in Winmalee, Nova Health Co in Wagga Wagga, Blunder Road Medical and Dental Centre in Oxley, True Relationships and Reproductive Health at Glenmore Shopping Village in Norman Gardens, Drayton Medical Centre in Drayton, True Relationships and Reproductive Health in Blackall, Luma: for her health and wellbeing in Joondalup, Dandenong Superclinic in Dandenong, LaTrobe Community Health Service in Morwell, and Werribee Medical & Dental Care in Werribee.
Health Minister Mark Butler said, “For too long, women and girls living with pain have had to struggle in silence, but the Albanese Government is changing that with these Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics giving them access to the expertise, care and specialist support they need. They are just one of the ways we are delivering more choice, lower costs and better health care options for Australian women and girls. We are levelling the playing field for women and girls by investing in a modern, stronger Medicare that meets the needs of women at every age and stage.”
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher said, “Many women have experienced having their pain ignored, dismissed or put in the ‘too hard’ basket and it is just not good enough. These clinics are about changing that, making sure women can get timely, specialist care for endometriosis, pelvic pain, including conditions like adenomyosis and menopause symptoms, closer to where they live. Whether it’s a teenager missing school because of severe period pain, or a woman in her 40s or 50s trying to manage perimenopause and menopause while working and caring for others, women deserve to be listened to and properly supported with high quality medical care. These clinics will help women get answers earlier and treatment that actually responds to what they’re experiencing.”
Assistant Minister Rebecca White said, “Too many women have spent years living with debilitating pain that is often dismissed or misunderstood. They deserve to have their concerns taken seriously with better access to specialised care no matter where they live. We want women to know that they are not alone with these health issues and expert help is available. These clinics are about dignity, early intervention and better outcomes for all women. Women’s health is no longer an afterthought. The Albanese Labor Government is not slowing down on women’s health. No matter what stage of life you’re at, your health care is front and centre.”
While improving access is a key objective, the challenge of diagnosis delay remains. The government notes many people with endometriosis wait six to eight years before diagnosis. For regional and outer-suburban communities, the new clinic sites may offer closer-to-home specialist care and reduce travel burden. Whether these clinics will fully address the broader workforce, referral and treatment pathway challenges remains to be seen. An evaluation of the clinic programme is expected in 2025.
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