Program to promote understanding of miscarriage

Media event date: 21 July 2026 Date published: 21 July 2026 Media type: Media release General public The Australian Government is continuing to support better health and wellbeing for women and families with the launch of a national miscarriage education and awareness program. The program will help Australians better understand miscarriage, access trusted information and support women and families experiencing pregnancy loss.

In Australia, it is estimated around 285 families experience a miscarriage every day. Miscarriage can be deeply distressing and isolating, and many people are unsure how they can best offer support. The program responds to the stigma and silence that too often surrounds miscarriage, helping families, friends, workplaces and communities have more open and compassionate conversations about pregnancy loss.

A range of resources have been developed to help women and families feel informed, supported and less alone following miscarriage. This includes fact sheets, posters and social media materials with practical advice for those experiencing pregnancy loss and the people supporting them. Women, families and their support networks will be able to access the resources through the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

The resources have been developed in close consultation with people with lived experience of miscarriage, and with support from organisations including Miscarriage Australia, Pink Elephants Support Network and 13YARN. Recognising Australia's diverse communities, resources will be available in multiple languages, helping more women and families access information, support and guidance following miscarriage.

The program is part of the Australian Government’s $9.5 million package to support women and families affected by miscarriage, announced in the 2024-25 Budget. The package includes bereavement support, work to address national data gaps, resources for parents and families, and this national public awareness program. Dr Jana Pittman, former Olympic athlete and mother of six, who has spoken publicly about her own experience of miscarriage, will lend her voice to the program to encourage more open and compassionate conversations about pregnancy loss.

Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister White: “For many women and families, miscarriage is a profound loss with complicated grief that impacts all facets of life. “Too often people are left carrying that grief on their own because they do not know where to find support, or because those around them are unsure what to say. “We cannot take away the pain of miscarriage, but we can make sure women and families feel seen, supported and understood when they need it most.

“I want to thank Dr Jana Pittman, for sharing her own experience to help encourage more open and compassionate conversations about miscarriage, and to remind Australians that no one should have to go through pregnancy loss alone.” Quotes attributable to Dr. Jana Pittman “As a doctor, I see the physical side of miscarriage every week. But as a woman who has lived through it myself, I know the silence afterwards can be just as painful as the loss itself.

One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage. It is not rare, and it is not something anyone should have to grieve alone. "For too long, miscarriage has been treated as something to whisper about rather than talk about.

I've sat with patients who apologised for crying, as if grieving a pregnancy wasn't valid grief. It is. And the more openly we speak about it, as mothers, as doctors, as a community, the less alone people will feel.

“Every miscarriage is different, but the need for compassion is universal. Whether you're a partner, a friend, or a health professional, the best thing you can do is simply not look away. Ask how someone is doing.

Say the baby's name if they've given it one. Talking about miscarriage doesn't cause more pain, staying silent does." Quotes attributable to Dr. Bilardi, Miscarriage Australia “Many Australians want to support a friend, family member or colleague after a miscarriage, but they're often unsure what to say or do.

These resources provide practical, evidence-based guidance to help people respond with empathy, confidence and compassion when it is needed most.” Quotes attributable to Samantha Payne, CEO, Pink Elephants: “Miscarriage is a deeply personal experience, but it was never meant to be carried in isolation. For generations, a culture of silence has forced families to navigate their grief behind closed doors.

Pink Elephants has campaigned for the last decade to change this and is delighted to support the launch of the National Miscarriage Education and Awareness Program. “These 'Miscarriage Matters' resources are a further step towards creating a culture where miscarriage can be spoken about openly and compassionately. By equipping Australians with practical tools and meaningful ways to offer support to their loved ones experiencing early pregnancy loss, we can replace isolation with community and stigma with understanding.

Together, we can ensure that every grieving parent feels seen, heard and deeply supported.” Visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website for free resources on how you can support people and families after a miscarriage. The Hon Rebecca White MP Pregnancy, birth and baby Accessibility We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community.

We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to Elders both past and present. © Commonwealth of Australia