The legal framework
Abortion law is a state matter. Decriminalisation proceeded state by state, ending with South Australia in 2021 and Western Australia's reform in 2023. Most jurisdictions allow abortion on request up to a gestational limit — commonly 22 to 24 weeks — with a second practitioner's involvement after that.
Key points
| On request | Up to 22 or 24 weeks depending on the state or territory |
|---|---|
| After the limit | Two practitioners must agree, considering medical, social and psychological circumstances |
| Medication abortion | Available up to 9 weeks; since 2023 any registered prescriber may prescribe mifepristone without special registration, and nurse practitioners can prescribe |
| Telehealth | Well established nationally, important for rural and remote areas |
| Safe access zones | In force in all states and territories |
| Conscientious objection | Permitted, with a duty to refer |
| Decriminalised everywhere | Western Australia completed the process in 2023, the last state to do so |
| Different limits | Each state and territory sets its own gestational threshold and later-term process |
| Prescribing widened | Since 2023 any qualified GP or nurse practitioner may prescribe medication abortion |
In practice
- Check your state's gestational limit — they differ.
- Telehealth services provide medication abortion across the country.
- Public hospitals provide surgical abortion in most states, though availability varies.
- Ask about the total cost upfront: the gap between the Medicare rebate and the fee can be significant in the private sector.
- Use a national telehealth service if local providers are scarce; medication is posted or dispensed locally.
- Check your own state's limit rather than a national figure — they differ by several weeks.
Cost and coverage
Medicare covers part of the cost; out-of-pocket amounts vary from modest in the public system to several hundred dollars privately.
Recent changes
The 2023 change allowing any prescriber to provide mifepristone removed a significant bottleneck, particularly outside the cities.
Where to go
- 1800 My Options (Victoria) and equivalent state services.
- MSI Australia and Marie Stopes services, including telehealth.
- Family Planning organisations in each state.
Worth knowing
Public provision is patchy in some states, so a referral to the public system can take longer than a private appointment. Ask about both routes at the first call. Safe access zones around clinics exist in every state, which means filming or approaching people outside a clinic is an offence.
Official sources and links
- Federal Register of Legislation — Commonwealth law as made and in force
- Services Australia — government services and payments