Clinical changes, and their implication, in medically induced abortion within South Australia from 1970-1984 were assessed by analysis of legally required reports provided by operating practitioners. In the past 15 years vacuum aspiration has largely replaced dilatation and curettage for early abortions, and intrauterine chemical methods have greatly decreased the use of hysterotomy for late abortions. A marked improvement in gestational pattern has also occurred, and recorded complication rates have been halved for all gestational ages. Sterilization rates at the time of abortions increased with increasing age and with increasing gravidity, but the total rates, adjusted for age and gravidity of patients, have changed little in the past 15 years.