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  4. I live in the NT or ACT. Can I access Voluntary Assisted Dying?
What is voluntary assisted dying? Is voluntary assisted dying the same as euthanasia? Is voluntary assisted dying legal in Australia? I live in the NT or ACT. Can I access voluntary assisted dying? Who can use voluntary assisted dying in Australia? How can I find out more about voluntary assisted dying laws in my state? I am terminally ill and want to find out more about voluntary assisted dying. Who can I contact? I'm a doctor. How can I learn more about voluntary assisted dying in my state? What other end-of-life options are available? What is the assessment process for voluntary assisted dying? How long does the voluntary assisted dying application take? How much does voluntary assisted dying cost? Does voluntary assisted dying affect insurance payouts? Can I die at home with voluntary assisted dying? Can I travel between states to use voluntary assisted dying somewhere else? Is voluntary assisted dying safe? Can I talk about voluntary assisted dying with my doctor? How can I talk about voluntary assisted dying with my family? Is voluntary assisted dying the same as suicide? What does the Australian public think about voluntary assisted dying? How many people use voluntary assisted dying laws in Australia?

I live in the NT or ACT. Can I access voluntary assisted dying?

Answer

The Northern Territory does not yet have voluntary assisted dying laws.

The ACT passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2023 on 5 June 2024. ACT residents will have access to assisted dying on 3 November 2025, after an 18-month implementation period. 

The NT Government has assembled an Expert Advisory Panel to consider the legalisation of VAD in the Territory and a report is due by July 2024.

There are some exceptional circumstances where an eligible person in the ACT or NT could access a voluntary assisted dying law in New South Wales or Queensland if

a) you live on the border and receive the majority of your health care in that state or

b) you can show on compassionate grounds (e.g. your family live in the state) why you should be able to access their voluntary assisted dying laws.

If you think this applies to you, please email [email protected] and we can provide further details.