In Australia, abortion law varies from state to state or territory. On this page we have listed the laws for each jurisdiction and listed the pertinent sections of each law. Where exclusion-zones exist to prevent pro-life people from helping mothers near an abortion business, those are also noted.
To find support services for each state, as well as Australia-wide services, please go to our Pro-life Supports page.
Click on the jurisdiction below to jump to the desired law:
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- New South Wales
- Australian Capital Territory
- Western Australia
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
Tasmania abortion law
- On demand to 16 weeks.
- From 16-20 weeks, two doctors must agree to the termination; one of these can be the abortionist.
- After 20 weeks to full term, a panel of specialists must agree to the abortion.
- Chemical abortions to 9 weeks of pregnancy
- available via telehealth
- Currently no doctors in Tasmania provide abortions past 14 weeks, so women wanting an abortion past this date must travel to the mainland.
- Travel costs may be offset by the government, meaning that taxpayers fund this cost.
- Pro-life doctors are forced by law to help a mother procure her abortion by sending her to a pro-abortion doctor.
- 150m exclusion-zones operate around abortion providers
Victoria abortion law
- On demand to 24 weeks.
- After 24 weeks to full term, two doctors must agree to the abortion.
- Pro-life doctors are forced by law to help a mother procure her abortion by sending her to a pro-abortion doctor.
- Chemical abortions to 9 weeks of pregnancy
- available via telehealth
- 150m exclusion-zones operate around abortion providers (Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008)
New South Wales abortion law
- On demand to 22 weeks
- After 22 weeks to full term, a specialist doctor must agree to the abortion
- After 22 weeks, mothers must be offered information about counselling
- Pro-life doctors are forced by law to help a mother procure her abortion by sending her to a pro-abortion doctor.
- Chemical abortions can be prescribed by nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives
- 150m exclusion-zones apply
Australian Capital Territory
- Available for free to residents of the ACT.
- Chemical abortions up to 9 weeks of pregnancy
- Surgical abortions on demand to 16 weeks of pregnancy
- After 16 weeks with doctor’s approval
- Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are also free
- Chemical abortions can be prescribed by a GP, nurse practitioner, endorsed midwife or via telehealth service
- No mandatory counselling
- Pro-life doctors are NOT required to refer a woman to a doctor who is in favour of abortion
- 50 metre exclusion zones operate
Western Australia
Abortion Legislation Reform Act 2023
- Abortion is legal to full term
- under 9 weeks, a GP, nurse practitioner or midwife can prescribe a chemical abortion
- from 9 weeks to 23 weeks, GP must refer to an abortion provider
- from 23 weeks, 2 doctors must agree to the abortion
- A pro-life doctor, nurse practitioner or midwife must refer a patient to a practitioner who will arrange the abortion
- Girls under the age of 18. may be able to procure an abortion without parental consent
- 150 m exclusion-zones in operation
Northern Territory
Termination of Pregnancy Law reform Act 2017
- Chemical abortion to 9 weeks gestation
- 9-23 weeks gestation: surgical abortion in a hospital
- Over 23 weeks, two doctors must agree to the abortion
- A pro-life doctor must refer a patient to one who will arrange an abortion within 2 working days of the consultation
Queensland
Termination of Pregnancy Bill 2018
- On demand to 22 weeks
- After 22 weeks, two doctors must agree to the abortion
- Chemical abortions to 9 weeks gestation
- Chemical abortions can be prescribed by doctors, nurse practitioners, endorsed midwives and some registered nurses and midwives
- Doctors with a conscientious objection must refer to another doctor who will arrange the abortion
- 150 m exclusion-zones in operation
South Australia
Termination of Pregnancy Act 2021
- On demand to 22 weeks and 6 days gestation
- After 23 weeks, 2 doctors must agree to the abortion
- Chemical abortions to 9 weeks via GP or teleheath
- Pro-life doctors must give abortion-minded mothers a government-produced brochure which explains how they can procure an abortion
- Data is collected in South Australia and all abortions must be reported to the Chief Executive of the Department for Health and Wellbeing within 20 days of the end of the month
- 150m exclusion-zones in operation