Voluntary assisted dying
Key facts
- Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is when you get medical assistance to end your life
- This might be because you have a serious medical condition that causes unbearable suffering, and you are only expected to live for a short time.
- Currently, VAD is available in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia.
- There are strict rules about who can get VAD, but these rules vary between the states and territories.
- Speak to your doctor or health professional for more information about VAD.
What is voluntary assisted dying?
Voluntary assisted dying (VAD) is when you choose medical assistance to end your life. Terms such as ‘medical assistance in dying', ‘physician-assisted dying' and ‘euthanasia' are sometimes used to refer to VAD.
VAD is voluntary. You can only choose VAD if you're an adult and can make your own decisions. No one can force you.
There are 2 main types of VAD:
- self-administered — when you take VAD medicine that a doctor has prescribed for you
- practitioner-administered — when a doctor gives VAD medicine to you
Is voluntary assisted dying legal?
VAD is legal in Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania. VAD will soon be available in the Australian Capital Territory.
VAD is illegal in the Northern Territory.
This information is correct as of March 2025.
Contact your state's health department for the latest VAD information.
What are the eligibility criteria for voluntary assisted dying?
There are strict rules in all states and territories where VAD is available. The rules between the states are similar, but there are some differences. You must:
- be an adult (18 years or older)
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- have lived for at least 12 months in the state or territory where you are requesting VAD
- be able to make decisions
- make your own choice without feeling pressured or forced by others
- have a disease, illness or medical condition that is likely to cause death, generally within a certain amount of time
- have an advanced medical condition that causes unbearable suffering
- make an enduring request for VAD (meaning that your request must be ongoing)
Which medical conditions may make me eligible for voluntary assisted dying?
In most states, the medical condition must be expected to cause death within 6 months. Or 12 months in the case of progressive neurological conditions.
In Queensland, the condition must be expected to cause death within 12 months.
Generally, people with dementia can't get VAD. This is because when the dementia is advanced enough to qualify for VAD, it's likely to be hard for them to make decisions.
A disability or mental illness alone does not qualify you for VAD.
What is end-of-life care?
End-of-life care is the health care you get as you get closer to death. You have the right to make choices about your own care when you can.
You may want to involve your family and carers in end of their life care.
Palliative care
The goal of palliative care is to ease pain and other distressing symptoms. If breathlessness, nausea, constipation and itch can be controlled, this will improve your quality of life.
You can choose palliative care along with other medical treatments, including those that try to cure your disease. You can also get palliative care if you decide to use VAD.
Many states require that medical professionals who give information about VAD also give information about palliative care.
Advanced care planning
Advanced care planning means thinking about the health choices you make now and in the future. It's important that your loved ones and medical team know what you want if you can't make decisions for yourself.
As part of advanced care planning, you can write down your wishes in an advance care directive. This legal document explains your values and choices for how you want to be cared for. You can also use it to choose someone who can make medical decisions for you if you are unable to do so.
You can't ask for VAD in your advance care directive. This is because your advance care directive only starts to work once you can no longer make decisions.
But even if you are considering VAD, it's still a good idea to make an advanced care directive.
The steps to make an advance care directive vary between states and territories.
Visit Advance Care Planning Australia to create your own advance care directive.
Who should I talk to if I am considering voluntary assisted dying?
If you are thinking about VAD, ask your doctor about it. In some states, some medical professionals are not legally allowed to start a conversation about VAD. So you will need to ask them.
Your doctor will give you more information about:
- VAD
- ongoing treatment
- palliative care
Some medical practitioners choose not to help with VAD requests. If your doctor does not assist with VAD requests, they may refer you to another doctor.
ASK YOUR DOCTOR — Preparing for an appointment? Use the Question Builder for general tips on what to ask your GP or specialist.
What is the process for voluntary assisted dying?
The basic process involves these steps:
- You ask a doctor for VAD.
- The same doctor checks if you are eligible for VAD.
- A second doctor also checks if you are eligible for VAD.
- You then submit a written request for VAD.
- You make a final request for VAD.
- Officials approve the VAD.
- A doctor prescribes and gives you the VAD medicine.
- Then either you take the VAD medicine, or a doctor gives it to you.
In some cases a medical practitioner such as a nurse practitioner will also have a role.
If you take the VAD medicine yourself (known as self-administration), you can choose when and where to do this. If you wish, your friends and family can be there.
If VAD medicine is given by a doctor, most states need a witness.
It's important to remember that you can withdraw (stop) your request for VAD at any time. This can even happen after you have had an assessment or made a request in writing.
Where can I get support if I'm considering voluntary assisted dying?
Coping with a terminal condition and end-of-life decisions can be emotional and stressful. Many people can support you as you come to terms with your condition.
Your doctor or medical team can give you information and support while you consider your end-of-life care choices.
Your family, friends and carers, can support you as you consider your end-of-life choices. Your doctor can help support you discuss VAD with your loved ones.
If you need more support, your doctor may refer you to a counsellor. You can also contact the support services below.
Where can friends, family and carers get support?
Many people find it difficult to discuss end-of-life choices with their loved ones, especially if views differ.
If someone close to you is considering VAD, you can get information and support, from:
- your doctor
- your loved one's doctor, if your loved one consents for their doctor to discuss their medical situation with you
- in-person counselling services
- phone counselling services listed below
Resources and support
Many states have VAD Care Navigator services to help you find out about VAD in your state. Check your local Department of Health website to see if your state has a VAD Care Navigator service.
For more information about palliative care, visit the Palliative Care Australia.
If you are a carer, you can search the Carer Gateway website, call 1800 422 737 or use their interactive service finder to locate your nearest carer support services.
For emotional support, contact:
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Last reviewed: March 2025
