NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY LAW REFORM ACT 2017
As in force at 16 December 2021
Table of provisions
Part 1 Preliminary matters
1 Short title ......................................................................................... 1
2 Commencement .............................................................................. 1
3 Objects of Act .................................................................................. 1
4 Definitions ........................................................................................ 1
5 Application of Criminal Code ........................................................... 4
Part 2 Role of health practitioners
6 Performing a termination ................................................................. 4
7 Termination of pregnancy by a medical practitioner at not
more than 24 weeks ........................................................................ 4
8 Termination of pregnancy by an authorised health practitioner
at not more than 14 weeks .............................................................. 5
9 Termination of pregnancy by a medical practitioner at more
than 24 weeks ................................................................................. 5
10 Termination of pregnancy where life at risk ..................................... 5
11 Medical practitioner who has conscientious objection ..................... 6
12 Authorised health practitioner who has conscientious objection ...... 6
13 Duty to perform or assist when necessary to save life..................... 6
Part 3 Safe access zones
14 Prohibited conduct in a safe access zone ....................................... 7
15 Publication of recording ................................................................... 8
16 Seizure of material used in offence ................................................. 8
Part 4 Reporting requirements
17 Reports to CHO ............................................................................... 9
Part 5 Miscellaneous matters
18 Regulations ...................................................................................... 9
ENDNOTES
NORTHERN TERRITORY OF AUSTRALIA
As in force at 16 December 2021
TERMINATION OF PREGNANCY LAW REFORM ACT 2017
An Act to reform the law relating to the termination of pregnancy, and
for related purposes
Part 1 Preliminary matters
1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform
Act 2017.
2 Commencement
This Act commences on the day fixed by the Administrator by
Gazette notice.
3 Objects of Act
The objects of this Act are:
(a) to reform the law relating to terminations of pregnancy; and
(b) to enable reasonable and safe access by women to
terminations; and
(c) to regulate health practitioners performing terminations.
4 Definitions
In this Act:
ATSI health practitioner means a person registered under the
Health Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice profession
(other than as a student).
authorised, in relation to an ATSI health practitioner, midwife,
nurse or pharmacist, means authorised under the Medicines,
Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 2012 to supply or administer a
termination drug.
Part 1 Preliminary matters
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 2
CHO means the person appointed under section 67 of the Public
and Environmental Health Act 2011 to be the Chief Health Officer.
credentialed means having the verified qualifications, training,
experience, professional standing and other relevant professional
attributes of a medical practitioner used for the purpose of forming a
view about the competence, performance and professional
suitability of the medical practitioner.
directing a health practitioner, in the performance of a termination,
includes supervising the health practitioner in the performance of
the termination.
health practitioner means a person registered under one of the
following health professions within the meaning of the Health
Practitioner Regulation National Law (other than as a student):
(a) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice;
(b) medical;
(c) midwifery;
(ca) nursing;
(d) pharmacy.
midwife means a person registered under the Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law to practise in the midwifery profession
(other than as a student).
nurse means a person registered under the Health Practitioner
Regulation National Law to practise in the nursing profession (other
than as a student).
perform a termination, see section 6.
pharmacist means a person registered under the Health
Practitioner Regulation National Law to practise in the pharmacy
profession (other than as a student).
premises for performing terminations:
(a) means premises where either or both of the following take
place:
(i) terminations are performed by medical practitioners;
(ii) health practitioners assist in the performance of
terminations; but
Part 1 Preliminary matters
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 3
(b) does not include a pharmacy.
professional standards and guidelines means professional
standards and guidelines applicable to medical practitioners in the
performance of terminations, including standards and guidelines for
the following matters:
(a) the assessment of a woman for a termination;
(b) the availability of suitable facilities and equipment for the
performance of a termination;
(c) access to emergency services, if required, during or following
a termination;
(d) procedures relating to the performance of a termination;
(e) the availability of support services, including counselling.
publish means communicate or disseminate information in a way
or to an extent that makes it available to, or likely to come to the
notice of, the public or a section of the public or anyone else.
safe access zone means the area:
(a) within the boundary of premises for performing
terminations; and
(b) within 150 metres outside the boundary.
termination means intentionally terminating a woman's pregnancy.
termination drug means a substance or combination of
substances, to which the current Poisons Standard applies under
the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (Cth), used for terminations.
woman means a female person of any age.
Note for section 4
The Interpretation Act 1978 contains definitions and other provisions that may be
relevant to this Act.
Part 2 Role of health practitioners
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 4
5 Application of Criminal Code
Part IIAA of the Criminal Code applies to an offence against this
Act.
Note for section 5
Part IIAA of the Criminal Code states the general principles of criminal
responsibility, establishes general defences, and deals with burden of proof. It
also defines, or elaborates on, certain concepts commonly used in the creation of
offences.
Part 2 Role of health practitioners
6 Performing a termination
(1) A medical practitioner who does any of the following, intending to
induce an abortion, performs a termination:
(a) performs a surgical procedure;
(b) prescribes, supplies or administers a termination drug;
(c) any other action.
(2) An ATSI health practitioner, a midwife or a nurse assists in the
performance of a termination by supplying or administering, under
the direction of a medical practitioner, a termination drug, knowing it
is intended to induce an abortion.
(3) A pharmacist assists in the performance of a termination by
supplying, under the direction of a medical practitioner, a
termination drug, knowing it is intended to induce an abortion.
7 Termination of pregnancy by a medical practitioner at not
more than 24 weeks
A medical practitioner may perform a termination on a woman who
is not more than 24 weeks pregnant, if the medical practitioner
considers the termination is appropriate in all the circumstances,
having regard to:
(a) all relevant medical circumstances; and
(b) the woman's current and future physical, psychological and
social circumstances; and
(c) professional standards and guidelines.
Part 2 Role of health practitioners
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 5
8 Termination of pregnancy by an authorised health practitioner
at not more than 14 weeks
(1) A medical practitioner may direct an authorised ATSI health
practitioner, authorised midwife, authorised nurse or authorised
pharmacist to assist in the performance of a termination on a
woman who is not more than 14 weeks pregnant, if the medical
practitioner considers the termination is appropriate.
(2) In considering whether the termination is appropriate, as mentioned
in subsection (1), the medical practitioner must have regard to each
of the matters mentioned in section 7.
(3) An authorised ATSI health practitioner, authorised midwife or
authorised nurse may supply or administer a termination drug:
(a) if directed to do so by a medical practitioner; and
(b) in accordance with that direction.
(4) An authorised pharmacist may supply a termination drug:
(a) if directed to do so by a medical practitioner; and
(b) in accordance with that direction.
9 Termination of pregnancy by a medical practitioner at more
than 24 weeks
A medical practitioner may perform a termination on a woman who
is more than 24 weeks pregnant if:
(a) the medical practitioner has consulted with at least one other
medical practitioner who has assessed the woman; and
(b) each medical practitioner considers the termination is
appropriate in all the circumstances, having regard to each of
the matters mentioned in section 7.
10 Termination of pregnancy where life at risk
A medical practitioner may perform a termination on a woman in an
emergency if the medical practitioner considers the termination is
necessary to preserve the life of the woman.
Part 2 Role of health practitioners
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 6
11 Medical practitioner who has conscientious objection
(1) This section applies if a woman requests a medical practitioner to
advise on a proposed termination or perform a termination on the
woman, and the medical practitioner has a conscientious objection
in relation to terminations.
(2) The medical practitioner must:
(a) inform the woman that the medical practitioner has a
conscientious objection in relation to the termination
contemplated by the woman; and
(b) refer the woman, within a clinically reasonable time, to another
medical practitioner known by the medical practitioner not to
have a conscientious objection in relation to terminations.
12 Authorised health practitioner who has conscientious
objection
(1) This section applies if a medical practitioner directs an authorised
ATSI health practitioner, authorised midwife, authorised nurse or
authorised pharmacist to assist in the performance of a termination
and the ATSI health practitioner, midwife, nurse or pharmacist has
a conscientious objection in relation to terminations.
(2) The medical practitioner must instead direct another authorised
ATSI health practitioner, authorised midwife, authorised nurse or
authorised pharmacist, known by the medical practitioner not to
have a conscientious objection in relation to terminations, to assist.
13 Duty to perform or assist when necessary to save life
(1) Despite any conscientious objection in relation to terminations, a
medical practitioner is under a duty to perform a termination in an
emergency where the termination is necessary to preserve the life
of the pregnant woman.
(2) Despite any conscientious objection in relation to terminations, an
ATSI health practitioner, a midwife or a nurse is under a duty to
assist a medical practitioner in an emergency where a termination
is necessary to preserve the life of the pregnant woman.
Part 3 Safe access zones
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 7
Part 3 Safe access zones
14 Prohibited conduct in a safe access zone
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally engages in prohibited conduct; and
(b) the prohibited conduct occurs in a safe access zone and the
person is reckless in relation to that circumstance.
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for
12 months.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if:
(a) the person is a police officer acting in the duties of law
enforcement and the conduct of the police officer is
reasonable in the circumstances for the performance of those
duties; or
(b) the person is employed at premises for performing
terminations and the conduct of the employee is reasonable in
the circumstances.
(3) For conduct mentioned in subsection (4), definition prohibited
conduct, paragraph (b), it is immaterial whether a person was
entering or leaving, or attempting to enter or leave, premises for
performing terminations for an offence to be committed.
(4) In this section:
prohibited conduct means:
(a) harassing, hindering, intimidating, interfering with, threatening
or obstructing a person, including by recording the person by
any means without the person's consent and without a
reasonable excuse, that may result in deterring the person
from:
(i) entering or leaving premises for performing
terminations; or
(ii) performing, or receiving, a termination at premises for
performing terminations; and
Part 3 Safe access zones
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 8
(b) an act that could be seen or heard by a person in the vicinity
of premises for performing terminations, that may result in
deterring the person or another person from:
(i) entering or leaving the premises; or
(ii) performing a termination, or receiving a termination at
the premises.
15 Publication of recording
(1) A person commits an offence if:
(a) the person intentionally publishes a recording of another
person who is in a safe access zone; and
(b) the recording was made without the other person's consent;
and
(c) the recording shows that the other person was entering or
leaving, or attempting to enter or leave, premises for
performing terminations; and
(d) the person is reckless in relation to the circumstances
mentioned in paragraphs (b) and (c).
Maximum penalty: 100 penalty units or imprisonment for
12 months.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the recording is published to a
person who is authorised under a law in force in the Territory to
receive the information in the recording.
(3) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against
subsection (1) if the defendant has a reasonable excuse.
16 Seizure of material used in offence
(1) This section applies if a police officer believes on reasonable
grounds that a person:
(a) is committing an offence under section 14 or 15; or
(b) is likely to commit an offence under section 14 or 15.
(2) The police officer may seize and remove any object, material,
information, document, poster, picture or recording that was used,
or is about to be used, in relation to an offence as mentioned in
subsection (1).
Part 5 Miscellaneous matters
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 9
Part 4 Reporting requirements
17 Reports to CHO
A medical practitioner who performs or directs the performance of a
termination under this Act must provide to the CHO the information
prescribed by regulation within the time prescribed by regulation.
Part 5 Miscellaneous matters
18 Regulations
(1) The Administrator may make regulations under this Act.
(2) The Regulations may:
(a) provide for an offence against a regulation to be an offence of
strict or absolute liability; and
(b) for an offence against a regulation, prescribe a fine not
exceeding 100 penalty units; and
(c) provide for the creation and maintenance of, by the CHO, a
register relating to terminations or the health practitioners
performing terminations; and
(d) provide for the setting of, by the CHO, record keeping and
reporting standards or requirements for health practitioners
performing terminations; and
(e) provide for the collection of, by the CHO, statistical data on
matters relating to terminations; and
(g) provide for the setting of, by the CHO, standards, guidelines or
requirements about the manner of doing or performing
anything required or permitted to be done or performed under
this Act; and
(h) apply, adopt or incorporate (with or without changes) the
whole or part of a document as in force or existing at a
particular time or from time to time.
ENDNOTES
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 10
ENDNOTES
1 KEY
Key to abbreviations
amd = amended od = order
app = appendix om = omitted
bl = by-law pt = Part
ch = Chapter r = regulation/rule
cl = clause rem = remainder
div = Division renum = renumbered
exp = expires/expired rep = repealed
f = forms s = section
Gaz = Gazette sch = Schedule
hdg = heading sdiv = Subdivision
ins = inserted SL = Subordinate Legislation
lt = long title sub = substituted
nc = not commenced
2 LIST OF LEGISLATION
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 (Act No. 7, 2017)
Assent date 24 April 2017
Commenced 1 July 2017 (Gaz S38, 28 June 2017)
Health Practitioner Regulation (National Uniform Legislation) and Other Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 28, 2018)
Assent date 30 November 2018
Commenced 1 December 2018 (s 2)
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Legislation Amendment Act 2021 (Act No. 26,
2021)
Assent date 15 December 2021
Commenced 16 December 2021 (s 2)
3 GENERAL AMENDMENTS
General amendments of a formal nature (which are not referred to in the table
of amendments to this reprint) are made by the Interpretation Legislation
Amendment Act 2018 (Act No. 22, 2018) to: s 4.
4 LIST OF AMENDMENTS
s 4 amd No. 28, 2018, s 25; No. 26, 2021, s 4
s 7 amd No. 26, 2021, s 5
s 8 amd No. 26, 2021, s 7
s 9 sub No. 26, 2021, s 6
ss 12 – 13 amd No. 26, 2021, s 7
s 18 amd No. 26, 2021, s 7
pt 6 hdg exp No. 7, 2017, s 23
pt 6
div 1 hdg exp No. 7, 2017, s 23
ENDNOTES
Termination of Pregnancy Law Reform Act 2017 11
ss 19 – 20 exp No. 7, 2017, s 23
pt 6
div 2 hdg exp No. 7, 2017, s 23
ss 21 – 22 exp No. 7, 2017, s 23
pt 6
div 3 hdg exp No. 7, 2017, s 23
s 23 exp No. 7, 2017, s 23
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