What is Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD)?

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is an end-of-life option available in Queensland to residents with Australian citizenship or permanent residence status, who are terminally ill, suffering intolerably, and meet other strict criteria. VAD allows an eligible person already dying the right to do so safely with medical support and care.

It returns control in circumstances beyond control. It allows planned expiration on a date of your choosing with people you have chosen to share memories and celebrate your life with. It allows you to unburden your family from making the critical post-life decisions which often stem from the departure of a loved one.

VAD has been available in Queensland as a legal end-of-life choice for eligible adults since January 2023.

Voluntary Assisted Dying is voluntary. You can pause your application, or stop it altogether, if you change your mind at any time.



Eligbility

A person is eligible for access to VAD if the person:

  • has been diagnosed with an incurable disease, illness, medical condition that:

  • is advanced, progressive and will cause death; and

  • is expected to cause death within 12 months; and

  • is causing suffering that cannot be relieved in a manner the person finds tolerable; and

  • has decision-making capacity in relation to voluntary assisted dying;

  • is acting voluntarily and without coercion; and

  • is at least 18 years of age; and

  • is an Australian citizen or permanent resident who has lived in Queensland for at least 12 months

A person must meet all the eligibility criteria outlined in the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 to access VAD.