Voluntary Assisted Dying

If you or someone you love is thinking about voluntary assisted dying, the right first steps are to speak with your doctor and to contact your state or territory's official VAD care navigator service. The rules, forms, and process are set by the law in each state and territory and can change. The official services can give you accurate, current information for your situation. This guide does not replace them.

What is voluntary assisted dying?

Voluntary Assisted Dying is a process that allows eligible people with a terminal illness to request access to medication that will end their life, at a time of their choosing. The word "voluntary" is central: every step is initiated and controlled by the person themselves. No one else can make this decision for them.

VAD is distinct from palliative care, though the two can exist alongside each other. Many people who explore VAD continue to receive palliative care throughout. It is also distinct from refusing treatment, which is a separate legal right that all patients have regardless of VAD laws.

The medication can either be self-administered by the person, or administered by a doctor in the rare cases where the person is physically unable to do so themselves.

Where in Australia is VAD available?

VAD legislation is in effect in all six Australian states and the Australian Capital Territory. Laws and eligibility criteria differ between jurisdictions, so the specific rules that apply to you depend on where you live. The Northern Territory does not yet have a VAD law, though the NT Government has said it intends to introduce a bill in 2026.

The rules are not fixed. During 2026, several jurisdictions, including Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, are reviewing their existing laws, and some are looking at who is eligible. This means the details can change.

Because laws are subject to ongoing review and amendment, the most reliable source of current information is always your state or territory health department, or the VAD care navigator service in your area.

Who is eligible for voluntary assisted dying?

Eligibility criteria vary slightly between states, but the core requirements across all jurisdictions are consistent:

Age. You must be 18 or older.

Residency. You must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, and have been living in the relevant state or territory for at least 12 months.

Diagnosis. You must have an advanced disease, illness, or medical condition that is progressive and will cause your death. In most states the condition must be expected to cause death within six months, or within 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions such as motor neurone disease. This timeframe varies between states. Queensland, for example, uses a 12 month expected timeframe for any eligible condition. Check the rules that apply where you live.

Decision-making capacity. You must be able to understand the information relevant to the decision, use that information to weigh your options, and communicate your decision. This capacity must be present throughout the entire process, not just at the beginning.

Suffering. Most jurisdictions require that the illness is causing suffering that cannot be relieved in a way the person finds acceptable. The nature and assessment of this suffering varies between states.

Having a mental illness alone does not make a person eligible. Having a disability alone does not make a person eligible. These conditions can coexist with an eligible terminal diagnosis, but they are not in themselves a pathway to VAD.

How does the voluntary assisted dying process work?

The following is a general overview only. The exact steps, forms, and timeframes are set by the law in your state or territory, and your VAD care navigator service can explain what applies to you.

VAD involves multiple steps and multiple assessments. This is by design: the process is built to ensure the decision is genuinely voluntary, informed, and made by someone with full capacity.

First request. You raise VAD with a doctor. This can be a GP or a specialist. If the doctor is not a VAD practitioner or chooses not to participate, they are required to refer you to someone who can help. You cannot be left without a path forward because a single doctor declines.

First assessment. The first doctor assesses whether you meet the eligibility criteria. This involves a detailed conversation about your diagnosis, prognosis, suffering, and decision-making capacity.

Second assessment. A second doctor independently assesses eligibility. The two doctors do not confer before this second assessment, and the second doctor must reach their own independent conclusion.

Written declaration. If both assessments confirm eligibility, you complete a written declaration requesting access to VAD.

Final request. You make a final verbal request, confirming that you still wish to proceed. This is the last formal step before the prescription is issued.

Prescription and access. The medication is prescribed and made available. You can then choose when, or whether, to use it. Receiving the prescription does not commit you to using it.

You can withdraw from the process at any point and for any reason. Many people who complete the process find that having the medication available gives them enough peace of mind that they choose not to use it. That is a valid outcome.

What is a VAD care navigator and how can they help?

Each state and territory with a VAD law has a care navigator service. These are free services staffed by health professionals who understand the VAD process in detail and can guide you through it, answer your questions, and connect you with the right practitioners.

A VAD care navigator is not a gatekeeper. They do not decide whether you are eligible. They help you understand your options and find the right people to speak to. You do not need a referral to contact them.

If you want to explore VAD further, contacting your state's care navigator service is the right first step. They are experienced in these conversations and will not pressure you in any direction.

You can find your state or territory's navigator contact details by searching for "VAD care navigator" along with your state name, or by visiting your state health department's VAD information page.

What if I am not eligible or I am not sure?

Not everyone with a terminal illness will meet the eligibility criteria for VAD. The prognosis timeframe, the residency requirement, and the capacity requirement all mean that some people will not qualify.

If that is the case, palliative care remains the primary pathway for managing suffering and maintaining quality of life. A good palliative care team can manage pain, breathlessness, nausea, and distress with a level of skill and attentiveness that most people do not realise is available. Healthdirect (healthdirect.gov.au) has a service finder that can help you locate palliative care providers in your area if you are not already connected to a team. If you feel that the current management of your symptoms is not adequate, say so. There is almost always more that can be done.

You also have the right to refuse any treatment at any time, including treatment that is sustaining life. This is a separate legal right, independent of VAD laws, and applies in all states and territories. A palliative care specialist or your doctor can explain what this means in your specific situation.

What should carers and family members know?

VAD is a decision that belongs entirely to the person with the diagnosis. Carers and family members cannot initiate the process on someone else's behalf, and they cannot be asked to assist with it unless they choose to be involved.

If someone you love is exploring VAD, your role is to support their right to gather information and make their own decision. This can be hard, particularly if your own views on VAD are different from theirs. It may help to speak with a counsellor or the palliative care social worker about how you are navigating this.

The VAD care navigator service can also provide information to family members who want to understand the process better, even if they are not directly involved in the decision.

This is general information only and is not legal or medical advice. Voluntary assisted dying laws differ between states and territories and are subject to change. For the current rules and support where you live, contact your state or territory VAD care navigator service or health department, and speak with your doctor about your own situation.