Win for Victoria as VAD reforms become law
Victoria's Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Amendment Bill 2025 has cleared parliament and is on its way to the Governor for final assent.
The bill passed the Upper House last Friday night 26 votes to 14 following a long and considered debate, and was ratified this week in the Lower House.
While minor adjustments were made – such as limiting which health practitioners can raise VAD and narrowing the minimum information required from medical practitioners – the majority of reforms passed intact.
The aim of the legislation is to:
- make sure people who ask about VAD receive basic information, even if their doctor is unable to support their request
- improve access by boosting the VAD health workforce, allowing more experienced doctors to take part and introducing a new Administering Practitioner role for nurses
- update the 6-month prognosis requirement to 12 months for all conditions
- amend residency requirements
- remove the third prognosis assessments for those with neurodegenerative conditions
- shorten the waiting period between the first and final request
- ease restrictions that prevented experienced doctors from taking on VAD roles and create a new Administering Practitioner role to ease workforce pressures.
While the bill becomes law immediately, the changes do not take effect for 18 months to give the health sector time to update processes and educate staff.
Go Gentle CEO Dr Linda Swan said the new law will make Victoria’s VAD system fairer and bring it into line with other states.
“These are balanced, practical updates that harmonise Victoria’s legislation with other jurisdictions without changing its guiding principles,’’ Dr Swan said.
“They clear away barriers that have stood in the way of people seeking a legal end‑of‑life option.
“The reforms keep the framework secure and equitable, while upholding its central purpose of supporting dignified and compassionate care.”
Minister for Health Mary‑Anne Thomas described the bill’s passage as an important day: “Victoria’s voluntary assisted dying laws are now clearer and more compassionate.”
Terminally ill Victorians will have more choice in their final days, families more peace of mind, and doctors and nurse practitioners the opportunity to have an open and honest conversation with their patients when discussing end-of-life options, she said.
The power of personal experience
The parliamentary debates revealed how personal experiences can shift perspectives. Former Liberal leader Brad Battin reversed his position after witnessing two friends die of cancer. Fellow Liberal MP Georgie Crozier, who opposed the original legislation in 2017, emerged as a strong supporter.
Labor MP Ryan Batchelor spoke movingly of his mother, who died of cancer in 2023 unable to access VAD, and the importance of removing the gag clause:
“Two years and six months ago I sat in a room with a dying woman who asked a doctor for information about voluntary assisted dying and was given nothing. If this amendment prevents that occurring for others in the future, I think it is really important.”
Community voices also played a vital role. Geelong resident Wes Cahill, whose brother Fraser died of cancer at just 38, has been a strong advocate for reform. Fraser’s experience of delays and stress under the old rules highlighted the urgent need for change.
“Fraser would be incredibly relieved to know that these laws have been amended to make sure any others in his position had easier access to this information and a greater timeframe to initiate the process,” Wes said.
Go Gentle celebrates the achievement alongside the many advocates, families, and lawmakers who contributed to the 5-year VAD review which led to the bill.
Dr Swan said it was impossible to overstate the importance of the success, both for Victoria and the country.
"It is only through continued advocacy that we will improve our hard-won laws and defend them from those, as we are seeing in NSW, who seek to undermine or overturn them."
Read more about the bill's success on the ABC website.