The 2012 1. divisjon (women) season kicked off on 14 April 2012, and ended on 28 October 2012.
Haugar and Manglerud Star were relegated at the end of the 2011 season after finishing in the bottom two places of the table.
However, the playoff winner, Kattem, subsequently withdrew their team, and Medkila were then promoted.
Alta were offered the vacant place in the 2013 1. divisjon, but declined, opting for relegation.
Voss were then offered the vacant place, and accepted it, thus avoiding relegation.