Tasmanian women seeking abortions for some time have been forced to pay exorbitant rates or fly interstate to receive the procedure within the public health system since one Hobart-based provider ceased operation.

Mr Ferguson said a potential provider was in final commercial negotiations with a state health facility.

He said it was then the Health Department secretary's decision over whether a particular health facility should be licensed to permit the procedures. 

It is believed the provider will come to the state under a fly-in, fly-out arrangement. 

Labor spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne said that model would not meet the needs of women in the state’s regional areas who could not afford to access the service.

Labor unsuccessfully moved a motion in Parliament last week for abortions to be provided to women through the state’s public hospital network.