Assisted Dying
Dying with Dignity
We are Registered Nurses in our role as Doula Support Workers
In September 2021, legislation related to assisted dying in Australia varies by state and territory. At that time, only the state of Victoria had enacted the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017, which allows eligible terminally ill adults to access assistance in dying under specific circumstances.
​
The Parliament of New South Wales passed the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022 (the Act) on 19 May 2022. This Act will allow eligible people the choice to access voluntary assisted dying from 28 November 2023. People cannot access voluntary assisted dying in NSW before this date.
​
Under the Victorian legislation, nurses may be involved in the assisted dying process, but their role is limited.
They can provide supportive care and be present during the administration of medication, but they cannot directly administer the medication themselves.
The primary responsibility for administering the medication lies with medical practitioners.
​
More information is to be found on the NSW Health website
​