Termination of pregnancy (abortion)

Health professionals must understand their obligations under the law when initiating or performing a termination of pregnancy.

In the Northern Territory (NT) by law, health professionals must complete the online NT prescribed reporting form when initiating or performing a termination of pregnancy.

You can access the form below or continue reading about the law, reporting requirements and clinical guidelines for the termination of pregnancy in the NT.

NT prescribed reporting form

For patient information, go to the Northern Territory Government website.

The Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 commenced on 1 July 2017.

In 2021 the Act was amended to make termination of pregnancy safer and easier to access.

The Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Regulations 2017 state the direction and set penalties under the Act.

Read the Act and Regulation's:

For more information read termination of pregnancy - summary of changes PDF (460.7 KB).

The purpose of the NT clinical guideline is to assist healthcare professionals in providing care to patients requesting a termination of pregnancy.

Read the Northern Territory clinical guidelines for termination of pregnancy PDF (1.7 MB)

Conscientious objectors can use the referral for pregnancy services form.

You must refer the patient within 2 working days and ensure the referral doctor has capacity to assess in sufficient time.

Medical practitioners have a responsibility by law to provide information to the NT Chief Health Officer when initiating or performing a termination of pregnancy.

Information to be provided

The following information is prescribed by the regulations:

  • date of birth of the woman or pregnant person
  • gestational age
  • date the termination was performed/ initiated
  • method of termination
  • region of person’s usual residence - read the factsheet regions for prescribed information reporting PDF (290.5 KB)
  • full name and provider number of the suitably qualified medical practitioner performing the termination
  • full name and provider number of the second suitably qualified medical practitioner consulted for post 24 week termination of pregnancy
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status of the person
  • region where the termination was initiated (for early medical terminations) or performed (for surgical terminations)
  • name of the facility (post 9 weeks gestation/ surgical procedure)
  • whether  the  termination  was  performed  or  initiated  in  an  emergency situation (under section 10 of the Act)
  • confirmation that a follow-up appointment was made.

Reporting timeframes

Method of termination Reporting timeframes
Early medical termination Within 28 days of the last consultation with the woman
Surgical termination Within 28 days after performance of termination
For any other termination Within 28 days after performance of termination

Purpose of collecting prescribed information

The purpose of collecting this data is to ensure safety and to assist with planning future sexual and reproductive health initiatives in the NT.

Confidentiality remains a priority and the client is not identified as part of the reporting.

What happens to the reported prescribed information

The information is the responsibility of the NT Chief Health Officer and is managed by NT Health according to the same strict confidentiality requirements that apply to all other information collected for health related purposes.

Penalties

The regulations set out penalties for failure to provide prescribed information within the prescribed time. A penalty will not be incurred if a reasonable explanation can be provided.

Factsheet

This information is also provided as a factsheet. Read the termination of pregnancy prescribed information reporting requirements PDF (150.5 KB).

Contact

For questions about the prescribed information reporting requirements contact womenshealth.doh@nt.gov.au.

Resources have been created for pregnancy and termination options in the NT:

The NT Government website has further patient information, go to the Northern Territory Government website.

Translations

Translations are is also available in Aboriginal languages as audio files, contact womenshealth.doh@nt.gov.au.

Pregnancy options for women in the NT
Having a termination of pregnancy in the NT

The following websites have information about best practices for termination of pregnancy:

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