One of the last states to decriminalise abortion will expand access, bringing it into line with other jurisdictions and national advice.

NSW will allow nurses and midwives to prescribe drugs for medical abortions, in line with guidelines from the Therapeutic Goods Administration in 2023.

There are no federal laws and the approach to abortion varies across Australian states and territories.

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

* Gestational limits include nine weeks for medical abortions and 16 weeks for surgical abortions, but services are accessible after that time with referrals from a doctor

* Nurses and midwives permitted to prescribe drugs for medical terminations

NORTHERN TERRITORY

* Legal up to 24 weeks' gestation, permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors

VICTORIA

* Legal up to 24 weeks, permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors

QUEENSLAND

* Legal up to 22 weeks, permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors

* Nurses and midwives permitted to prescribe and administer drugs for medical terminations

NSW

* Legal up to 22 weeks, permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors

* Nurses and midwives will be able to prescribe drugs for medical terminations up to nine weeks' gestation under legislation before parliament, after a NSW Health review recommended adopting the national guidelines

TASMANIA

* Legal up to 16 weeks, permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

* Legal up to 22 weeks and six days, permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors

* Nurses and midwives permitted to prescribe drugs for medical terminations

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

* Legal up to 23 weeks, permitted after that in special or emergency circumstances with approval from two doctors

* Nurses and midwives permitted to prescribe drugs for medical terminations

Source: Marie Stopes International Australia, state and territory governments.