The Australian Capital Territory passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Bill on 5 June 2024. Canberrans will have access to VAD from 3 November 2025, after an 18-month implementation period.

The legalisation became possible after the Commonwealth lifted the ban on territories making laws about assisted dying in December 2022.

To use the law, a person must:

• be 18 or older
• have lived in the ACT for the last 12 months
• have an advanced and progressive medical condition that is expected to cause death and is causing intolerable suffering
• have decision making capacity at all stages throughout the process
• be acting voluntarily and without coercion

If you have not lived in the ACT for the last 12 months but have a substantial connection to the ACT, you'll be able to apply for an exemption.

How can I learn more about voluntary assisted dying in the ACT?

1. Ask your doctor or nurse practitioner to help you start the process. If they are an authorised practitioner, they can accept your request. Not all doctors and nurse practitioners will provide VAD services. If you ask a health practitioner who is not authorised and/or is unable to help you access VAD, they must give you the details of the ACT Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service or the details of an authorised practitioner who can help you, within 4 business days.
2. Contact ACT Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service. They are trained health professionals who can guide you through the VAD process and answer any questions you may have. You can contact them via email at [email protected] or call 02 5124 1888. 

Useful tips

• You do not need to wait for your doctor or nurse practitioner to mention VAD to you. You can raise it with them directly. However, you must do this yourself - nobody can do it for you. This makes it clear that you are acting of your own free will and no one is trying to influence you.
• To avoid stress and delays, start the application process early. Experience from other jurisdictions shows, on average, the process can take weeks as you must make three separate requests, be assessed by two authorised practitioners and there may be extra appointments if there are questions about your eligibility. 
• Prepare your documents. As part of the VAD application process, you'll need to provide documents that prove your age, residential status, and medical condition. Take a look at this checklist or speak to your doctor/care navigator for more information.
• Voluntary assisted dying is voluntary for everyone. You can pause your application, or stop it altogether, if you change your mind at any time.

Useful links

For more information 

ACT Health: Accessing voluntary assisted dying in the ACT

VAD documentation checklist

Other links

Dying with Dignity ACT