Community Support

Family Planning Tasmania supports ‘Our Multicultural Island – Tasmania’s Multicultural Policy’s vision for a harmonious, inclusive and respectful Multicultural Island where people of all cultures, languages and faiths have an equal opportunity and responsibility to belong, contribute, achieve and succeed.

We acknowledge that people from migrant backgrounds often have multiple barriers in accessing relevant health services.

In practical terms people from multicultural backgrounds have access to interpreters during doctors appointments when visiting any of our clinics. We seek to break down access barriers by working with support workers that assist with the settlement of new arrivals to Tasmania.

To talk to us with an interpreter:

Phone TIS 131 450 and tell them your language.

Tell the interpreter your name and which clinic you are calling:
Family Planning Tasmania Glenorchy 03 6273 9117 OR Family Planning Tasmania Launceston 03 6343 4566 OR Family Planning Tasmania Burnie 03 6431 7692

For many international students, studying and living in Tasmania can often involve adapting to a new culture and way of living.

Being away from family and friends, and working hard to complete your studies can be difficult. It is important to look after yourself so you stay healthy and safe throughout your stay.

Sexual health can be a difficult topic to discuss, however it is important to talk about it so that you know how to keep yourself and others safe.

We have created the Down Under guide for international students to help you to learn more, including how to find support services if you ever need them.

People who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex, Queer (LGBTIQ+) are recognised as one of a number of vulnerable groups that require targeted actions in order to address additional barriers to accessing and receiving healthcare.

LGBTIQ+ Tasmanians experience poorer health outcomes than the general population. Here at Family Planning Tasmania we are committed to partnering with and empowering all our patients, consumers and staff in order to advance health for everybody, every day.

Creating an inclusive health and education environment is at the core of our service delivery to the LGBTIQ+ community.

In 2018 FPT secured a Department of Premier and Cabinet grant to do an audit of our education programs to ensure our language and education practices are LGBTIQ+ inclusive and culturally sensitive.

Engaging young people in education programs will set them up for healthy sexuality for the rest of their lives, and young people can become great advocates for responsible and safer sex practices in the community.

At Family Planning Tasmania, our relationships and sexuality programs are age and stage appropriate and reflect the latest research and trends that align with the Australian Curriculum.

Our organisation is a mandatory reporting agency, meaning that child safety is at the core of our service delivery to the community.

Family Planning Tasmania is a member of the Youth Network of Tasmania, and our service options are informed through YNOT’s and our ongoing consultation with young local people.

Everyone should have access to quality healthcare, regardless of income. We advocate for accessible and affordable healthcare.

We have advocated against co-payments to ensure all Tasmanians have the financial means to access the healthcare they need and deserve.

For people with health care cards, a range of our services are bulk billed ensuring the best possible care at the least possible cost.

All people have the right to a healthy expression of sexuality, including people with disability and additional needs. People with disability are welcome in our clinics.

We have also recently created a purpose-built space for our education, support and intervention services aimed at those with disability and/or additional needs.

We believe that people living with a disability have the right to:

• explore and express their gender and sexuality
• have relationships based on consent, respect and safety
• learn lessons from life’s experience, with support where required
• control decisions which affect their sexual health and relationships

The key to building sexual health in people living with a disability is to communicate openly about rights and responsibilities in relation to private body parts, sexual feelings and behaviours, healthy relationships, respect for boundaries, diversity and the law.

Read more about our services in this space here:

Tailored education 

Professional learning

At Family Planning Tasmania we aim to foster a safe and inclusive environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to access relationships and sexual health services.

We work hard to ensure that we collaborate and partner with communities and service providers to develop culturally appropriate information and services, and promote a holistic approach to health.

Our vision for reconciliation

Our vision is that Family Planning Tasmania will build positive relationships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Tasmania to support real and lasting improvement in the sexual health of the community.

Our commitment to reconciliation

• We are committed to building authentic partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and community.
• We will work towards increasing meaningful participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our work.
• We will advocate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for equity of sexual health outcomes.
• We will increase the capacity of our workforce to work collaboratively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

At Family Planning Tasmania, we offer services around Tasmania.

We have three clinic locations: in Glenorchy, Launceston and Burnie.