One of the VADSA rallies on the steps of Parliament House in May 2021.

VAD Access in South Australia

In the first 26 months of Voluntary Assisted Dying in South Australia, 376 people used the VAD substance to end their suffering. Another 136 people had the comfort of knowing they could get their prescription filled at any time, but died without using the VAD substance. A total of 603 people have been issued with a VAD Permit in the first 26 months.

This data is available through the quarterly and annual reports published by the VAD Review Board.

The latest quarterly report covering the ninth quarter, January to March 2025 shows that

• On average, four people a week die in SA using the VAD substance
• There are 83 VAD trained doctors who do the VAD assessments, mostly GPs
• Four out of five people self administer the medication

Of the 603 people who have been issued with a VAD Permit

• 73% have cancer
• 14% have a neurodegenerative illness
• 64% are aged over 70
• 32% are aged between 50 and 70
• 68% are in the metropolitan area
• 50% die in their private residence
• 10% die in residential aged care
• 80% are in a palliative care program
• 55% are male

The latest quarterly report highlights recommendations from the review of Victoria’s VAD Act (2017). Given that South Australia’s VAD Act (2021) closely mirrors the Victorian legislation, we could anticipate similar findings from the SA review due in 2027. The Victorian Government has confirmed that it will table amendments to their VAD Act later this year. Recommended amendments include

• Removal of the ‘gag clause’ that prohibits doctors from raising the possibility and availability of VAD with patients
• Extension of the current six month prognosis criteria to 12 months for all conditions
• Changes to residency criteria including the ability to grant an exemption to the residency criteria on compassionate grounds, and extension of the permanent residence requirements
• Addition of the requirement for a review of the operation of the Act every 5 years to enable the legislation to continue to evolve in response to community expectations.

We appreciate the excellent reporting of VAD in South Australia by our VAD Review Board. We are so lucky in South Australia to have such an excellent and responsive Board and VAD management team in SA Health.

Remember, if you know or hear of anyone who may be considering VAD but does not know what to do, advise them to contact the VAD Care Navigator Service. The have all the information needed, including how to find a VAD trained doctor.

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 0403 087 390 (9 to 5, Monday to Friday)

VADSA continues to provide volunteer witnesses for people during their written request.

If you have had any experience with VAD and would like to share that experience, we are always keen to hear from you.