Abortion laws for each state
ABORTION LAWS BY STATE
Abortion is legal across Australia, but the specific laws and access conditions differ by state and territory.
This page provides information about the laws around abortion (Termination of Pregnancy) across the country.
For people outside Queensland, there are contact details for services in each state and territory which provide similar support to Children by Choice.
Sexual Health Quarters – (08) 9227 6177
1800 4 CHOICE
Family Planning Welfare Association of NT Inc – (08) 8948 0144
SHINE SA (08) 8300 5300 or the Pregnancy Advisory Centre on (08) 7117 8999
Call our free and confidential helpline – 1800 177 725
Sexual Health Victoria – 03 9257 0100 or 1800 My Options on 1800 696 784
Women's Health Tasmania - womenshealthtas.org.au
Family Planning Australia – 1300 372 372
Womens Health Matters ACT –(02) 6290 2166
All states and territories across Australia have safe access zones. Safe access zones create a 150 meter buffer zone outside health clinics that provide abortion services. They ensure a protected area around abortion and reproductive health clinics to help ensure that anyone visiting or working at the clinic can do so safely and privately, without being approached, judged, or harassed. These apply to all states and territories.
*It is important to note, that while abortions are legal up until the below gestations, they are not always accessible and there is often not choice of procedure depending on a persons gestation.*
After many decades of advocacy, abortion was decriminalised in Queensland December 2018 and is available on request up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Changing abortion law in Queensland
In October 2018, the Queensland Parliament passed the Termination of Pregnancy Bill. This came into effect in December 2018, decriminalising abortion and making it part of standard healthcare.
Abortion is no longer a criminal offence and is available on request and for any reason up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
After 22 weeks, two doctors must agree that a termination is appropriate.
Health practitioners who have a conscientious objection must disclose this and refer the patient to another practitioner or service to ensure that care is not delayed.
Abortion is legal on request for any reason up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
After 22 weeks, two doctors must agree that a termination is appropriate.
Counselling may be offered but is not mandatory.
Resources:
Family Planning Australia – 1300 372 372
Abortion is legal at any stage of pregnancy with no gestation limit.
It must be performed by a doctor in an approved medical facility.
For Pregnancy Options Support – Women’s Health Matters – https://mypregnancyoptionsact.org.au/find-a-service/
Resources:
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT – (02) 6247 3077
Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy for any reason.
After 24 weeks, two doctors must agree that a termination is appropriate.
For Pregnancy Options Support – 1800 My Options – 1800 696 784
https://shvic.org.au/
Resources:
Sexual Health Victoria – 03 9257 0100
Abortion is legal up to 22 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy for any reason.
After 22 weeks, two doctors must agree that a termination is appropriate.
For Pregnancy Options Support – Pregnancy Advisory Centre – (08) 7117 8999
https://shinesa.org.au/
Resources:
SHINE SA – (08) 8300 5300
Abortion is legal up to 16 weeks of pregnancy for any reason.
After 16 weeks, two doctors must agree it’s appropriate.
For Pregnancy Options Support – Women’s Health Tasmania – https://www.womenshealthtas.org.au/
Resources:
Pregnancy Choice Tasmania – (03) 6273 9117
Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy for any reason.
After 24 weeks, two doctors must agree it’s appropriate.
Resources:
Family Planning Welfare Association of NT – (08) 8948 0144
ON THIS PAGE
Queensland
Abortion is legal on request up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
After 22 weeks, two doctors must agree that a termination is appropriate.
Some GPs can prescribe medical abortion (MS2Step) up to 9 weeks, and services are available through private clinics, public hospitals, and health services across the state.
Safe access zones protect your privacy when entering and leaving clinics.
Contact:
Children by Choice – Free and confidential helpline: 1800 177 725
New South Wales
Abortion is legal up to 22 weeks.
After 22 weeks, two doctors must agree it’s the right option. Counselling may be offered but is not mandatory.
Services are primarily available through private clinics in Sydney and some regional areas, with limited public provision.
Safe access zones apply around all clinics.
Resources:
Family Planning Australia – 1300 372 372
https://www.fpnsw.org.au/
Australian Capital Territory
Abortion is legal at any stage of pregnancy with no gestation limit.
It must be performed by a doctor in an approved medical facility.
Both medication and surgical abortions are available, and safe access zones are enforced around clinics.
Resources:
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT – (02) 6247 3077
https://shfpact.org.au/
Victoria
Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks.
After 24 weeks, two doctors must agree it’s appropriate.
Services are primarily offered through private clinics, with some public options in Melbourne.
Safe access zones protect people seeking care.
Resources:
Sexual Health Victoria – 03 9257 0100
1800 My Options – 1800 696 784
https://shvic.org.au/
South Australia
Abortion is legal up to 22 weeks and 6 days.
After that, two doctors must agree it’s necessary due to risks to the person’s health or foetal anomaly.
Services are available through the Pregnancy Advisory Centre and prescribed hospitals, usually at no cost.
Safe access zones apply across the state.
Resources:
SHINE SA – (08) 8300 5300
Pregnancy Advisory Centre – (08) 7117 8999
https://shinesa.org.au/
Tasmania
Abortion is legal up to 16 weeks.
After 16 weeks, two doctors must agree it’s appropriate.
Medication abortion (up to 9 weeks) is available through Family Planning Tasmania and some GPs or telehealth providers.
Surgical services are more limited, particularly outside Hobart.
Safe access zones apply around all clinics.
Resources:
Family Planning Tasmania – (03) 6273 9117
https://fpt.asn.au/
Western Australia
Abortion is legal up to 23 weeks.
Only one health professional needs to be involved in early care.
Nurse practitioners and endorsed midwives can prescribe medical abortion (MS2Step).
Abortion is no longer a criminal offence, and mandatory counselling has been removed.
Safe access zones apply around clinics.
Resources:
Sexual Health Quarters – (08) 9227 6177
https://shq.org.au/
Northern Territory
Abortion is legal up to 24 weeks with approval from one doctor.
After 24 weeks, two doctors must agree it’s necessary.
Care is provided through public hospitals and health services, with safe access zones in place.
Counselling may be offered but is not required.
Resources:
Family Planning Welfare Association of NT – (08) 8948 0144
https://www.fpwnt.com.au/
Accessing abortion services outside Queensland
If you are outside Queensland, you can contact your local Family Planning or sexual health service for support.
These organisations can help you find safe, local abortion providers and explain your state’s specific requirements.
Tasmania
Family Planning Tasmania – (03) 6273 9117
South Australia
SHINE SA – (08) 8300 5300 or the Pregnancy Advisory Centre on (08) 7117 8999
Western Australia
Sexual Health Quarters – (08) 9227 6177
Australian Capital Territory
Sexual Health and Family Planning ACT – (02) 6247 3077
Victoria
Sexual Health Victoria – 03 9257 0100 or 1800 My Options on 1800 696 784
Northern Territory
Family Planning Welfare Association of NT Inc – (08) 8948 0144
New South Wales
Family Planning Australia – 1300 372 372
If you are based in Queensland, you can also contact Children by Choice for information, financial assistance, or counselling.
Find your nearest Health Service
Search our network of trusted, pro-choice providers across Queensland.
Whether you’re looking for contraception, abortion care, or general reproductive health services, our map helps you locate:
Queensland Wide Pregnancy Support Services
Free & Confidential
