The Australian Capital Territory passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Bill 2023 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.

The ACT's law reflects the Australian model in many ways though it also introduces three new features:

• no specific timeframe until death

• nurse practitioners can be involved in assessing eligibility

• protections for patients in institutions that object to voluntary assisted dying

For more information, and to receive updates on the VAD implementation process, go to the ACT Health website