The Australian Labor Party is pitching to make oral contraceptives available over-the-counter and expand surgical and medical abortion access ahead of the federal election in May.

The pledge outlined on Wednesday by Opposition health spokesperson Catherine King will include looking at the results from New Zealand after oral contraceptives were reclassified in 2017.

Pharmacists in New Zealand can now sell up to six months’ supply of oral contraceptives to a woman previously prescribed by a doctor the same oral pill within the previous three years.

Labor said it would task the TGA with determining whether downscheduling oral contraceptives was a viable option to improve access.