VADSA partners with organisations and individuals in Australia and overseas who work to achieve legal voluntary assisted dying.
The Northern Territory was the first country in the world to pass a VAD law, under the leadership of then Chief Minister Marshall Perron. The Federal Government vetoed the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act(1995) nine months later, after four people had used the law to end their suffering. Australians then waited more than two decades to achieve the next VAD Act, in Victoria, in 2017. The NT is expected to table a Bill to allow VAD later in 2026.
Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws were passed in Victoria (2017), Western Australia (2019), Tasmania (2021), South Australia (June 2021), Queensland (2021), New South Wales (2022) and the Australian Capital Territory (2024). All states and the ACT now provide VAD as an end of life choice for people who meet the criteria.
Voluntary Assisted Dying South Australia is our facebook page. The page contains current information about developments around Australia and the world.
Advocacy Groups have been established by nurses, doctors, christians, people with a disability, paramedics, young people and lawyers to inform and advocate for voluntary assisted dying. Many are contactable through their websites or facebook pages through the links below. DWD Victoria facilitated the establishment of Young Ambassadors in 2023, who advocate for end of life choice.
- South Australian Nurses Supporting Choices in Dying
- Christians Supporting Choice for Voluntary Assisted Dying
- Accessible Voluntary Assisted Dying
- Young Ambassadors
State and Territory Partners: each state and territory has an active group supporting VAD law reform and implementation.
- Dying with Dignity NSW
- Dying with Dignity Victoria
- Dying with Dignity Tasmania
- Dying with Dignity Western Australia
- Dying with Dignity Qld
- Northern Territory Voluntary Euthanasia Society
- Dying with Dignity ACT
Go Gentle Australia was established by Andrew Denton to support VAD law reform. The Go Gentle Australia website provides resources - such as documentaries, podcasts, books, articles - which can inform your discussions on VAD and counter the misinformation spread by opponents of VAD.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation supports voluntary assisted dying. Their position statement emphasises the need for enhanced palliative care services, but when the person's suffering is still unbearable, 'a competent adult shall have the right to choose to die at a time and in a manner acceptable to them and shall not be compelled to suffer beyond their wishes'.
Australian Centre for Health Law Research at QUT is an internationally recognised centre of research on VAD. Their expertise in end of life law and evidence from their research agenda leads and informs debate on assisted dying in Australia and overseas.
SA Health provides information on how to access VAD, reports on implementation of VAD in South Australia, and contact details for VAD Care Navigators who can guide you through the VAD request process.
Oregon Department of Health Annual Reports provide detailed information on the operation of the Oregon Death with Dignity Act. Oregon was the first state in the USA to achieve assisted dying legislation, achieved through a citizen referendum. The first report was published in 1999.
DWDCanada provides a range of resources which inform the VAD debate in Canada and globally. Canada has national VAD legislation and the similarities between Australia’s social, political and cultural environment and that of Canada provide a valuable comparison.
End of Life Choice New Zealand provides valuable information on the implementation of VAD in New Zealand.
World Federation of Right to Die Societies is a global umbrella society for organisations similar to VADSA which advocate for VAD in their jurisdiction. The WFRtDS website provides informative updates on progress towards VAD around the world.