True Relationships and Reproductive Health (True) was named the Queensland Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC) Centre of Excellence under new funding announced by the Australian Government on 11 September.
One of eight LARC Centres of Excellence nationally, True will receive $3.3M over three years to deliver expert clinical and education services across Queensland. True CEO, Donna Bonney, said the funding will enable more choice and easier access to LARC, including intra-uterine devices (IUDS) and contraceptive implants.
“Long-acting reversible contraceptives are among the most effective forms of contraception, and yet evidence suggests LARC use in Australia remains low compared with a number of other high- income countries. Access to LARC may be impacted by factors including cost, limited availability of trained clinicians, particularly in regional and remote areas, as well as lack of access to evidence-based information.
“With this funding, True will expand access to long-acting reversible contraception through our clinical services, including outreach clinics.
“As a critical component of expanding equitable access across metro, regional and remote Queensland beyond our clinics, we will strengthen the wider health workforce through trusted clinician training and mentorship.
“In addition to reliable contraception, some forms of LARC can also help manage heavy menstrual bleeding, period pain and conditions such as endometriosis, so improving access to this critical healthcare can have significant impacts on people’s lives and wellbeing.
“True has been a trusted provider of sexual and reproductive healthcare and education for more than 50 years. We welcome this investment in women’s health and are well-placed to deliver the clinical services, community awareness and education, and clinical workforce training to provide meaningful and sustainable benefit for Queensland communities,” Ms Bonney said.
In 2025-26 True provided more than 18,500 clinical appointments, travelled more 90,000km providing outreach clinical services in 17 rural and remote locations, and trained more than 400 clinicians in specialised sexual and reproductive health practice.
Announced by the Hon Rebecca white MP, Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Assistant Minister for Indigenous Health, Assistant Minister for Women, on 11 September, the centres of excellence are part of the Australian Government’s Women’s Health Package and will be operational in coming months.
This service has been made possible by funding from Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN).
Read the Hon Rebecca White MP media release here
