Voluntary assisted dying in Queensland

Queensland passed a voluntary assisted dying law on 16 September 2021. Voluntary assisted dying became available from 1 January 2023.

To use the law, a person must be:

Diagnosed with an incurable disease, illness, medical condition that:
- is advanced, progressive and will cause death within 12 months
- is causing suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner the person finds tolerable
Capable of making decisions about their medical treatment and communicate those decisions throughout the assessment process
Acting freely and without coercion
Aged 18+
An Australian citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Queensland for at least 12 months

How can I learn more about voluntary assisted dying in Queensland?

There are two ways to find out more about voluntary assisted dying in Queensland.

Ask your doctor. This could be your GP or another specialist. In Queensland, unlike in some other states, a doctor can speak to you about voluntary assisted dying if they inform you about other treatment and care options at the same time. If you make it clear you want more information on Voluntary Assisted Dying, they can provide this.
If your doctor can’t help you (they may not have done the voluntary assisted dying training or they may not want to be involved, known as “conscientious objection”) you are entitled to look for another doctor who is willing to help.
Contact QVAD-Support. They are trained health professionals who provide information about voluntary assisted dying, and are best-placed to answer questions and guide you through the process. You can contact them via email at [email protected] or call toll free on 1800 431 371.

Useful tips

You do not need to wait for your doctor to mention voluntary assisted dying to you. You can ask about it yourself. 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.
If the first doctor you speak to cannot help you (if they are not trained or they have opted out of voluntary assisted dying, known as “conscientious objection”), you are well within your rights to seek another doctor’s opinion.
To avoid stress and delays, start the process early. It can take weeks. For example, you must make three separate requests, be assessed by two doctors 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.
In some exceptional cases, an application for voluntary assisted dying can be done more quickly if, for example, there is a risk you might die before the assessment process is finished. Ask your doctor and QVAD-Support if you think this might apply to you.
If you live in a rural, regional or remote part of the state there may be additional support available to help you access VAD services. Contact QVAD-Support for more information.
If you live in an aged care facility or retirement village as a permanent resident, you are responsible for your own health and medical care, the same as when you live in your own home. This means you can choose voluntary assisted dying, regardless of the policy of the facility or village management. If you are not a permanent resident, the facility or village will need to facilitate your request for voluntary assisted dying, either onsite, or by assisting with your transfer to another venue.
If you feel comfortable, you may want to discuss your wishes with your loved ones and medical team. However, if you prefer not to, it’s perfectly legal to keep your medical choices confidential.
Voluntary Assisted Dying is voluntary for everyone. You can pause your application, or stop it altogether, if you change your mind at any time.