Abortion: termination of pregnancy in the NT
If you're pregnant and unsure about your options, you can talk to your doctor, a health professional or the Family Planning Welfare Association.
Early and later stages of termination (also known as an abortion) are available in the Northern Territory (NT).
Continue reading below for information about pregnancy options in the NT.
Information for health professionals including the online form for prescribed information reporting, is available from the Department of Health website.
Pregnancy options
A booklet is available to help you understand your options, read pregnancy options in the NT PDF (231.6 KB). You can also access translations of this booklet below.
Pregnancy options can include:
- continuing the pregnancy and parenting
- adoption
- termination of the pregnancy.
It is important that you talk to a health professional about your options, this could be with your:
- doctor
- midwife
- nurse
- Aboriginal Health Practitioner.
Information about pregnancy options is available in Aboriginal languages, you can get the audio by emailing womenshealth.doh@nt.gov.au.
If you live in Darwin or Palmerston, you can make an appointment with Family Planning NT.
You can support yourself by talking to an understanding friend or family member, or make an appointment with a counsellor. Your doctor or healthcare team can help you with finding the right support.
Termination of a pregnancy
The pregnancy will need to be confirmed by a doctor.
If you're considering your options, you should let your doctor know at the time of your appointment.
If your doctor will not help you, they must refer you within 2 working days to another doctor who will.
At your appointment the doctor will determine how many weeks pregnant you are, to do this they will:
- ask you when the first day of your last menstrual period was
- request a blood test
- request an ultrasound.
How many weeks pregnant you are will help inform what termination options are available to you.
You and your doctor can also discuss options for contraception.
Termination options
A booklet is available to help you understand what to expect when having a termination, read having a termination of pregnancy in the NT PDF (296.6 KB). You can also access translations of this booklet below.
Information about pregnancy options is available in Aboriginal languages, you can get the audio by emailing womenshealth.doh@nt.gov.au.
Sometimes you might have to travel and stay close to medical facilities during or after your termination. Speak with your doctor about the patient travel scheme.
Your healthcare team will carefully monitor your health before and after a termination.
Options by weeks pregnant
| Weeks pregnant | Options |
|---|---|
| Less than 9 weeks pregnant |
You can take medicine for the termination at a safe place of your choice or in a hospital setting. You can have a surgical termination of pregnancy in a hospital. |
| Between 9 to 23 weeks pregnant | You will need to have the termination in hospital. |
| More than 24 weeks pregnant | If you're more than 24 weeks pregnant, your doctor will have to talk with at least one other doctor (who will also examine you) about your request for a termination. |
Medicine
You and your doctor may discuss prescribed medicine if you're less than 9 weeks.
The doctor will ask about your circumstances and will consider your preferences.
If needed, your doctor can help with accessing services outside of your community.
Surgical
A surgical procedure is done at a hospital, at either:
- Royal Darwin Hospital
- Palmerston Hospital
- Alice Springs Hospital
- Gove Hospital
- Katherine Hospital.
Follow up appointment
A follow-up appointment will be made with your doctor 2 to 3 weeks after your termination.
Your doctor may discuss with you:
- contraception
- available supports.
Information for young people
No matter your age, you might prefer to have someone accompany you for support and to help with decision making.
Over 18 years old
If you're over 18 years of age, and not under the care of an adult guardian because of a disability, then you are able to make the decision without anyone other than your medical team being involved.
Under 18 years old
If you're under 18 years of age, the doctor will consider whether you can make important decision about your medical treatment on your own.
14 years old or younger
If you're 14 or younger, you may need to have a person with parental authority to help make a decision.
The parental authority will need to show the doctor that:
- they support your choices
- will keep your information confidential
- are taking on board your wishes.
An adult who does not have parental responsibility cannot give consent to medical treatment.
If your doctor considers you to be able to make decisions for yourself, you cannot be forced to have medical treatment.
Information in other languages
Information about pregnancy options is available in Aboriginal languages, you can get the audio by emailing womenshealth.doh@nt.gov.au.
Pregnancy options for women in the NT
- Arabic PDF (290.1 KB)
- Chinese PDF (302.5 KB)
- Greek PDF (308.4 KB)
- Punjabi PDF (356.5 KB)
- Swahili PDF (171.8 KB)
- Thai PDF (213.7 KB)
- Vietnamese PDF (244.7 KB)
Having a termination of pregnancy in the NT
Give feedback about this page.
Share this page:
URL copied!