A national poll, conducted by McCrindle and commissioned by CitizenGO Australia, shows that
Australians support restrictions on abortion and strengthening protections for unborn children.
A CITIZENGO AUSTRALIA RESEARCH BRIEF | SEPTEMBER 2026
Key findings
In pregnancies where serious health risks, fetal disability and sexual assault do not apply, 63.6% said
abortion should be banned at some stage; only 18.6% said it should not be banned at any stage.
58.6% said abortion should be banned after 24 weeks or at an earlier stage, and 50.4% said it should be
banned after 20 weeks or at an earlier stage.
After 24 weeks, 54.5% said abortion for education, career or life-stage reasons should be illegal, while
51.8% said abortion based on personal preference should be illegal.
74.8% supported requiring equal medical care for a baby born alive following an unsuccessful abortion.
43.6% agreed that the human right to life begins at conception, compared with 28.9% who disagreed.
For years, Australians have been told that sweeping abortion laws reflect a settled national consensus.
This national survey demonstrates the opposite. When Australians are asked where abortion should be
banned, whether late-term abortions for non-medical reasons should be legal, whether babies born alive
deserve equal care, and whether women should receive information and independent support, the public
repeatedly chooses protection, limits and accountability
Across Australia, abortion is legal in every state and territory. In the Australian Capital Territory it may be
performed at any stage. Elsewhere, abortion is available on request through substantial periods of
pregnancy and remains lawful later when additional doctors approve the procedure. There is no
Australian jurisdiction in which an unborn child has absolute legal protection after the point at which a
baby may be capable of surviving outside the womb.
The polling shows that this national landscape regarding abortion is out of step with the Australian
public. The results reveal a country ready to draw a line: a majority said abortion should be banned after
24 weeks or at an earlier stage, majorities said late-term abortions for career or personal-preference
reasons should be illegal, and there was overwhelming support for equal care for babies born alive,
informed consent, independent counselling, protection from coercion and a waiting period.
This is a mandate for lawmakers to act. Australians want abortion law to recognise that unborn life
deserves protection, that late-term abortion should not be treated as ordinary healthcare, and that
women deserve genuine information and freedom from pressure before an irreversible decision is made.
Majorities of Labor (59.1%) and Liberal (58.8%) voters support a ban after 24 weeks or earlier.
One Nation voters recorded the highest support of any group.
Nationally, 63.6% supported a ban at some stage where the named exceptional circumstances do not apply.
In Queensland abortion is permitted at 36 weeks which amounts to murder, a deplorable situation which sits nicely with the Liberal National government.
