Voluntary assisted dying in Victoria

Victoria was the first state to pass a Voluntary Assisted Dying law in November 2017. The law came into effect in June 2019. 

To use the law, a person must be:

• Diagnosed with an incurable disease, illness or medical condition that:
  • is advanced, progressive and will cause death within six months (or 12 months if you have a neurodegenerative disorder, such as motor neurone disease)
  • 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 Victoria for at least 12 months

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

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

1. Ask your doctor. This could be your GP or a specialist. It is very important you start the conversation first because in Victoria doctors and healthcare workers are not allowed to raise it with you. Once you ask them about Voluntary Assisted Dying, they can tell you about the next steps. 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.
2. Contact the Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigators. 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 telephone (03) 8559 5823 or 0436 848 344.

Useful tips

• You must raise the topic of voluntary assisted dying with your doctor yourself. Nobody else 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 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 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 the Care Navigators if you think this might apply to 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. 
• If you live in an aged care facility or retirement village, speak to the staff about your wish to use voluntary assisted dying as soon as possible. Not all facilities allow voluntary assisted dying on their premises.
• 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 all involved. You can pause your application, or stop it altogether, if you change your mind at any time.

Useful links

For more information

• Vic Care Navigators
  Trained health professionals who can answer questions and advise on your eligibility for voluntary assisted dying
• VAD documentation checklist

Department of Health Victoria

• Vic State Health Dept (download the document)
  Clear, easy-to-read information about Victoria's law and the VAD process
• BetterHealth Victoria
  Clear, easy-to-read information about Victoria's law and the VAD process

Other links

• Dying with Dignity Victoria
  An advocacy group for end-of-life issues who can answer questions about VAD and played an important role in the passing of Victoria's law
• VAD Review Board reports
  Regular reports from the statutory body tasked with overseeing the Victorian VAD process
• End of Life Law in Australia
  Up-to-date research and information about end-of-life law in Australia from Queensland University of Technology