Information on Abortion in Queensland
SUMMARY
Here you’ll find supportive, judgment-free information about abortion in Queensland, including your rights, your options, and where to get care.
Abortion in Queensland is safe, legal, and part of standard healthcare.
Since December 2018, abortion has been decriminalised and is available on request up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, with additional clinical requirements beyond that point.
This page outlines your legal rights, how Queensland’s laws differ from other states, and what access to abortion looks like in practice.
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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.
Before 2018, abortion was governed by Queensland’s Criminal Code (sections 224–226), which treated abortion as a criminal offence, even in some cases where the person was not pregnant.
Section 282 of the Code provided a limited defence, allowing abortion if it was necessary to protect a person’s life or health.
A 1986 court ruling clarified that abortion could be lawful when required to prevent serious harm to a person’s physical or mental health.
However, reasons such as rape, incest, or fetal anomaly were not lawful on their own unless they impacted health.
For more detail about how laws vary across Australia, see Abortion Laws for Each State.
How Queensland law compares to other states and territories
Each Australian state and territory has reformed its abortion laws differently.
Queensland, Victoria, Tasmania, and the ACT have fully decriminalised abortion, while others have taken a more restricted approach.
Key differences:
For a full summary, see the Abortion Laws for Each State.
Counselling and your rights
You do not have to attend counselling before having an abortion in Queensland.
Pre- and post-abortion counselling is available for anyone who would find it beneficial, but it should always be your choice.
Mandatory counselling can create unnecessary barriers and imply that people cannot make informed decisions for themselves.
If you’d like to speak with someone before or after your abortion, our counsellors provide free, confidential sessions.
Learn more about what to expect after an abortion.
Access to abortion in Queensland
Access to abortion care in Queensland can depend on:
Since the 2018 law reform, public hospitals are required to provide a pathway for abortion care, but not all have these pathways fully established yet.
Some hospitals partner with private clinics, allowing patients to access care at no out-of-pocket cost.
However, there is no public list of which hospitals provide abortion services or partnerships.
If your local hospital cannot provide abortion care, you may need to access a private clinic.
Private clinics provide high-quality care but can be more expensive depending on gestation and Medicare status.
To learn about costs and funding options, visit How much does an abortion cost?
If you need to find a local provider, visit our Finding a Health Service
For information on Queensland’s public pathways, visit:
Queensland Government – Termination of pregnancy
Barriers to access
While abortion is legal and widely available, some people still face barriers, such as:
If you face these challenges, Children by Choice can help you find the nearest available service and discuss financial assistance options.
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
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