Status – Legal. No upper gestational limit.

Details – 2 doctors approval required after 24 weeks' gestation.

Conscientious Objection -

Registered health practitioners may conscientiously object to:

  • Advising on a termination.
  • Performing, directing, authorising, or assisting in a termination.

Legal obligations when objecting:

If a practitioner has a conscientious objection, they must:

  1. Disclose the objection to the woman.
  2. Refer the woman in a timely manner to another health practitioner who they know does not have a conscientious objection.

Emergency exception:

  • In an emergency, where a termination is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant woman, practitioners must provide the service despite objection.

Professional accountability:

  • Failure to comply with referral or emergency requirements may constitute unprofessional conduct under professional regulation.

Link to legislation –