When Family Planning Australia was founded in 1926, it wasn’t socially or culturally acceptable to talk about contraception as openly as we do today.
Thankfully, times have changed. Today, conversations and decisions about contraception are far more open, inclusive and grounded in personal choice.
While it’s great that more people are talking about contraception and their experiences in 2026, it’s important to ensure you’re getting the right information.
From family planning to contraception
The idea of family planning has drastically evolved since the early 20th century. Back then, the idea of choosing if or when to have children wasn’t widely discussed. Instead, ‘family planning’ was the acceptable term to use to discuss contraception.
We opened Australia’s first birth control clinic in the 1933 and have been advocating for access to safe, reliable contraception ever since.
There’s an acceptance now that people have sex for pleasure, not necessarily to have children. The range of contraception options has grown because of this, accommodating different circumstances, preferences and desires for reproductive healthcare.
Our clinics and website In The Know are safe spaces to get trustworthy information on contraception, which can be hard to come by online.
Don’t trust everything you see online
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by conflicting information and advice on contraception online. Social media trends, influencer anecdotes and viral posts on contraception spread quicky, but they’re not always accurate.
Everyone’s body, lifestyle, and health needs are different, which means what works for one person may not work for you.
For example, fertility awareness methods like menstrual cycle tracking are gaining popularity. While knowing where you are in your cycle can help you understand your reproductive health better, it’s not a reliable way to avoid pregnancy.
The “pull‑out method” is highly ineffective at avoiding pregnancy. In fact, it is almost as risky as using no contraception at all.
Speak with a qualified medical practitioner to avoid misinformation and get advice that is safe, effective, and tailored to your circumstances. You can chat to one of our nurses at Talkline via online chat or through a phone call to learn more about contraception and the options available.
Hormonal contraceptives are safe, reliable and reversible
Hormonal contraceptives are widely used in Australia to prevent pregnancy and work by using hormones that mimic the ones naturally produced by the body. They’re incredibly effective.
Options for hormonal contraceptives range from being long-acting and low maintenance, such as hormonal IUDs and implants, or short-term and easy to stop, like the Pill or vaginal rings.
Some hormonal contraceptives can also help to manage reproductive health conditions, like heavy menstrual bleeding, in addition to preventing pregnancy. Speak to your doctor to find out the different ways hormonal contraceptives could help you.
Innovation improves choice
Research into new contraceptive methods is important because it drives innovation, which increases the options available.
Non-hormonal methods of contraception are gaining popularity, particularly among young people. There’s also growing interest in developing more options that work for men or those who produce sperm.
Exploring non-permanent options is a strong factor in current research to develop new male contraceptives.
Another focus area for research into contraception is exploring more ways to control the duration of a contraception’s effectiveness. Having options that last for less time, or more, is one way to improve flexibility and choice.
Contraceptive choice gives people more ways to take control of their sexual and reproductive health. Family Planning Australia clinics are a safe space to find services and information on contraception, and we strongly support everyone’s right to choose the contraception that works for them.
Make an appointment at one of our clinics to discuss your options.
