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Accessing safe and legal abortions is far from easy in all Working Holiday destinations and around the world in general.
Note that travel insurance plans never cover contraception or abortion. If you’re not a permanent resident or citizen, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to benefit from free surgery and consultations in local clinics. In any case, don’t hesitate to explain your situation to the doctor or abortion clinic and negotiate prices.
If you need to terminate a pregnancy in a country where it is illegal, there are two solutions—going home where, hopefully, you will have access to safe and legal services or seeking out clandestine providers. The latter solution is best avoided because of potentially unsanitary conditions and potential legal issues abroad. If this is not possible, try to find out as much as possible about the procedure and the reputation of the providers who will perform the abortion.
Argentina
Abortion has been legal in Argentina since 2020. Before this date, it was illegal except in certain cases (rape or pregnancy threatening the women’s or the fetus’ health).
Australia
Abortion has been legal in all Australian states since October 2019. However, legislation details vary across states.
Gestational limits around Australia
| State |
Cut off gestational limit |
|---|---|
| Australian Capital Territory |
No gestational age limit |
| Tasmania |
16 weeks |
| Queenstown |
22 weeks |
| Victoria |
24 weeks |
| Western Australia |
20 weeks |
| New South Wales |
22 weeks |
| Northern Territory |
24 weeks |
| South Australia |
22 weeks and 6 days |
Where to access abortion services
The national Planned Parenthood network has branches in each state. Contact your nearest office for information, an appointment or a clinic recommendation. You can also do a Google search for “Abortion clinics + State name.”
Queensland: Children By Choice Queensland
Victoria: Better Health
All states: Children by Choice
Abortion costs
The price varies across states and clinics. Since 2013, the price of abortion has been drastically reduced thanks to price regulation of the abortifacient drug. However, expect to pay at least $200 (consultation + drug) for a medical abortion.
For a surgical abortion, prices can start at $1,000.
Brazil
Abortion is illegal in Brazil, except under two conditions—if the pregnancy is a risk to the woman’s life or if the unwanted pregnancy is the result of a rape.
Brazilian law even criminalizes abortion, with women facing up to 3 years’ imprisonment. If you need to terminate a pregnancy, it’s advisable to seek help in another Latin American country where it’s safe and legal to abort or to go home if you can access such services.
Canada
Abortion is fully legal in all provinces and territories. Technically, there is is no legal restriction on when in the pregnancy the termination can take place, but it’s more difficult to have the procedure done after 20 weeks.
Canada is also a big country where services can be hard to find, especially in rural areas. Fortunately, some places previously without abortion clinics now do have one, such as Summerside in Prince Edward Island.
Public hospitals will be the main service provider to get a medical or surgical abortion.
If you’re not covered by provincial insurance (Working Holiday permit holders usually aren’t), an abortion costs CA$200-CA$1,500.
Chile
The history of abortion in Chile bears the weight of the country’s difficult past, namely the long dictatorship. The Health Code had a provision for therapeutic abortions as early as 1931 when the fetus or the mother’s health was at risk but General Pinochet banned it outright after the coup.
Almost 30 years later, on August 2, 2017, Chile lifted the ban and took a first step towards the decriminalization of abortion. Chile’s Constitutional Tribunal legalized it when the woman’s life is at risk, when a fetus is unviable, or when the pregnancy results from rape.
While this is a historic step forward in a deeply conservative society, abortion is far from being legal as such. Indeed, only 3% of women meet one of the three legal requirements to terminate a pregnancy. The existing obstacles to legalization are based on the principle of the right to life enshrined in the Chilean Constitution. In 2022, a proposed new constitution with provisions for reproductive rights and the legalization of abortion was put to a referendum in Chile but it was not approved by the majority of Chilean voters.
Reportedly, the country’s first and only hospital unit specializing in pregnancy termination is located in the maternity ward of the San José Hospital in Santiago.
South Korea
Legal considerations
Until 2020, surgical abortion was prohibited and illegal in South Korea except in certain cases, such as rape.
Clandestine abortions remained widespread and it seems that procedures were carried out under fair conditions.
In April 2019, the South Korean Constitutional Court ruled that the abortion ban was unconstitutional, and asked the government to amend the legislation by December 31, 2020. However, the National Assembly has failed to meet its deadline to make new laws to reflect the changes.
As of 2023, there is still no legal framework surrounding abortion—it’s neither legal nor illegal, with abortion no longer a crime but potentially a violation of national health insurance laws.
Where to access abortion services
You may want to read Getting an Abortion in Korea and My Abortion in Busan for first-hand experiences.
Abortion costs
According to our research, an abortion can cost €400-€1,500. The consensus seems to be 500,000 won (€400).
Colombia
As of February 2022, abortion is legal on all grounds up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. Before this date, abortion was illegal, except when the pregnancy put the mother’s health at risk, when there was a fetal malformation or in cases of rape and incest.
Ecuador
Abortion is illegal on most grounds, it’s only allowed up to 12 weeks of pregnancy in cases of rape or if the pregnancy put the woman’s health at risk.
Women who resort to abortion can face 5-7 years in jail.
Hong-Kong
Abortion is only legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy when the pregnancy puts the woman’s and/or the fetus’s health at risk, as well as in cases of rape, or if the pregnant woman is under 16.
However, abortions are largely performed clandestinely in private hospitals and Planned Parenthood clinics, where fewer questions are asked (although you’ll need to pay at least $2,000 in private hospitals).
Japan
Legal considerations
Abortion is legal under a term limit of 22 weeks for endangerment to the health of the pregnant woman, economic hardship, or rape. In other words, the conditions are broad enough for abortions to be carried out without major issues. However, the written consent of the partner is normally required.
Medical abortion is not an option, so a surgical abortion is required.
Where to access abortion services
It may be difficult to find a clinic that performs abortions beyond 12 weeks, and the procedure will be more expensive because you will have to stay in hospital.
Before the tenth week of pregnancy, it’s an outpatient procedure and it’s much easier to find options. There will be at least 3 consultations (pre-op, operation and post-op).
In all cases, it is preferable to speak Japanese or to bring along someone who can translate for you, as some clinics refuse to perform this type of operation if there is the slightest problem communicating with the patient.
If you don’t know anyone who might be able to help, Japan Health Info offers low-cost translation and hospital referral services.
Abortion costs
Prices range from 100,000 to 200,000 yen and the procedure is not covered by the Japanese healthcare system.
Mexico
On 7 September 2023, the Mexican Supreme Court ruled that penalizing abortion is unconstitutional, setting an important precedent across the whole country. The ruling will require the federal public health service and all federal health institutions to offer abortion to anyone who requests it.
However, some 20 Mexican states still criminalize abortion.
With the recent developments, access to abortion services should be easier.
As of 2022, abortion in Mexico is only legal (up to 12 weeks of pregnancy) in 11 states:
- Quintana Roo
- Baja California Sur
- Guerrero
- Ciudad de México
- Colima
- Veracruz
- Oaxaca
- Coahuila
- Sinaloa
- Baja California
- Hidalgo
You can search for “clinica de aborto legal en…”. In some clinics, prices vary widely, from 2,800 pesos to 9,000 pesos—the more advanced the pregnancy, the more expensive the abortion.
New Zealand
Legal considerations
Abortion under a term limit of up to 20 weeks has been decriminalized in New Zealand since 2020.
Before 2020, abortion was considered an offence punishable by 14 years’ imprisonment, even if no woman has ever been convicted.
Where to access abortion services
You can contact a Family Planning Center for an appointment or a safe and non-judgmental referral.
Abortion costs
Abortion is free for Kiwis and foreigners with a work permit of two years or more, so normally Working Holiday visa holders are not eligible. It’s best to check with different clinics, as prices vary widely.
Expect to pay $1,200-$1,500, plus medical consultation fees.
Peru
Abortion is illegal in Peru—except when it puts the woman’s health at risk—and is punishable by 2 years’ imprisonment.
The law provides for extenuating circumstances in cases of rape or if the fetus is likely to present a serious physical or mental disability.
Many women therefore resort to clandestine abortion, which, of course, remains extremely dangerous.
Taiwan
Legal considerations
Surgical abortion is illegal in Taiwan, except in specific circumstances. Medication abortion is legal up to 7 weeks of pregnancy, and mifepristone seems to be easily accessible. Abortion is available under six conditions, many broad enough such as a “genetic, infectious or psychiatric disease detrimental to reproductive health” or a “likely effect on mental health or family life.”
Taiwanese women must obtain their husband’s consent to terminate a pregnancy. Unmarried women seem to gain easier access to abortion services.
For more info, check out Women on Waves.
Uruguay
As of 2012, abortions are legal up to 12 weeks of pregnancy (14 weeks in the case of rape).
However, women are facing several roadblocks, including a preliminary interview with three doctors, and then a mandatory five-day reflection period. Many clinics still refuse to perform surgical abortions.
The black market remains the easiest place to find abortion pills (Misoprostol) but we don’t recommend it for safety reasons.
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