Voluntary Assisted Dying
Your choice. Your journey. My support.
Choosing Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is a deeply personal and often complex decision. You deserve understanding, respect, and care every step of the way.
As a Death Doula, I provide compassionate, non-judgmental support to help you navigate this transition.
Whether you need someone to talk to, assistance in preparing for your final moments, or a calm and steady presence for you and your loved ones, I am here to walk alongside you. My role is to honour your choices, advocate for you, provide emotional and practical support, and help create a space where you feel safe, heard, and at ease.
You don’t have to go through this alone. If you’re seeking support, guidance, or simply a caring companion, I invite you to reach out.
What is voluntary assisted dying and who is eligible?
Voluntary assisted dying allows eligible individuals to seek medical assistance to peacefully end their lives. To qualify, a person must have an advanced, progressive illness, disease, or medical condition that is expected to be fatal within six months (or 12 months for neurodegenerative conditions like motor neurone disease). They must also be experiencing unbearable suffering that cannot be relieved in a way they find acceptable.
To access voluntary assisted dying, a person must meet strict eligibility criteria and follow all legal steps. This process enables them to self-administer or receive prescribed medication to bring about their death at a time of their choosing.
Eligibility criteria
People can only access voluntary assisted dying in NSW if they meet all the eligibility criteria and follow the process outlined in the law. This includes getting approval from the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Board.
A person must meet all eligibility criteria in order to access voluntary assisted dying. To be eligible to access voluntary assisted dying, a person must:
be an adult (18 years or over) who:
is an Australian citizen, or
is a permanent resident of Australia, or
has been a resident in Australia for at least three continuous years when the first request is made
have been living in NSW for at least 12 months when the first request is made*
have at least one disease, illness or medical condition that:
is advanced and progressive
will, on the balance of probabilities, cause a person’s death within six months (or within 12 months for neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease), and
is causing the person suffering that cannot be relieved in a way they consider tolerable
have decision-making capacity in relation to voluntary assisted dying
be acting voluntarily (their own choice) and not because of pressure or duress from another person
have an enduring request for voluntary assisted dying. This means it is continuous, ongoing, and lasting over a period of time.
The Act says that a person is not eligible for voluntary assisted dying just because they have a disability, dementia or a mental health impairment.
A person with a disability, dementia or a mental health impairment may be able to access voluntary assisted dying as long as they meet all eligibility criteria. Importantly, they must be able to make and communicate their own decisions.
*People may still be eligible to access voluntary assisted dying in NSW if they have not been ordinarily resident in NSW for at least 12 months if they receive a residency exemption from the Voluntary Assisted Dying Board.
THE SOURCE INFORMATION ABOVE CAN BE FOUND HERE
Why are good people being forced to die bad deaths?
— Andrew Denton
NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service - a free service available to answer questions about voluntary assisted dying. The service is available to everyone including patients, loved ones, health practitioners and providers.
GRIEFLINE - support for families, friends and colleagues experiencing anticipatory grief - providing compassionate guidance to those preparing for a loved one’s VAD journey.
DYING WITH DIGNITY NSW - Dying with Dignity NSW is an advocacy organisation committed to supporting voluntary assisted dying laws and other end-of-life choices for residents in NSW.
GO GENTLY - “Go Gentle was founded in 2016 by broadcaster Andrew Denton. We are a national charity that promotes and enables choice at the end of life, including the option of voluntary assisted dying.”