Voluntary Assisted Dying Amendment (Equity and Access) Bill 2024

What the bill says it does

The main purposes of this Act are to amend the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017— (a) in relation to the eligibility criteria for access to voluntary assisted dying; and (b) to provide that registered health practitioners, social workers and counsellors may initiate discussions about voluntary assisted dying; and (c) to provide that the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board may review assessments made by consulting practitioners and co-ordinating practitioners in relation to a person's ineligibility for access to voluntary assisted dying; and (d) to include nurse practitioners as a class of persons who are co-ordinating practitioners and consulting practitioners; and (e) to require health service providers to provide information about and access to voluntary assisted dying; and (f) in relation to voluntary assisted dying permits; and (g) to require a review of that Act to be conducted every 3 years; and (h) to make other minor and consequential amendments.

Quoted from: Purpose clause of the bill as introduced. Not written or edited by FOCUp.

Official sources

• Parliament of Victoria: this bill
• Introduction print – Bill (DOCX)
• Introduction print – Bill (PDF)
• Introduction print – Explanatory Memorandum (DOCX)
• Introduction print – Explanatory Memorandum (PDF)

Timeline

1. First reading passed — Legislative Council

   30 Oct 2024

2. Second reading moved — Legislative Council

   5 Mar 2025

Election commitments on the same subject

Matched by shared budget line and wording. A match does not mean this bill delivers the commitment.

• Invest $132 million in a Mental Health Early Access Plan · Victorian Liberals and Nationals · 26 July 2026
• Expand access to overdose prevention services · Victorian Greens · 12 Aug 2026
• Free access to abortion, no matter where you live · Victorian Greens · 12 Aug 2026