The Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Review Board was established under the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (the Act). Section 113 of the Act, 2021 outlines the functions and powers of the Review Board and provides that the Review Board will conduct analysis of and carry out research in relation to information or forms submitted to the Board in accordance with the Act. This information is submitted via the Voluntary Assisted Dying Clinical Portal by Medical Practitioners and VAD clinical and operational staff. 

VAD Research Subcommittee

The VAD Review Board has established a Research Subcommittee to oversee research related to voluntary assisted dying. Comprising experts in clinical practice, ethics, policy, and research, the VAD Research Subcommittee will engage with relevant stakeholders and research partners to foster high quality research on VAD that will inform and support continuous improvement of VAD practice, policy, and outcomes in South Australia.

For further information on VAD Research Subcommittee, see the VAD Research Subcommittee Terms of Reference (PDF 222KB).

VAD Research Framework research focus areas

The VAD Review Board have identified five overarching areas of interest that will provide a focus for research relating to VAD in South Australia and support the delivery of the VAD Review Board Strategic Plan 2025-2027. These five focus areas provide a foundation for prioritising and directing research activity to support the continuous improvement, safety, and sustainability of VAD in South Australia:

  1. A sustainable voluntary assisted dying workforce
  2. Public awareness and understanding of voluntary assisted dying
  3. Access to voluntary assisted dying
  4. Continuous improvement of the voluntary assisted dying system
  5. Research on voluntary assisted dying.

Read the VAD Research Framework (PDF 424KB) for further information on the objectives of the VAD Research Subcommittee (PDF 222KB).

Research proposals

The VAD Research Subcommittee welcomes engagement with researchers and organisations interested in engaging in research regarding voluntary assisted dying in South Australia and supports research that aligns with the research principles and focus areas as outlined in the VAD Research Framework.

Research proposals may be submitted to the VAD Research Subcommittee via email. Before submission, researchers are encouraged to review the recommended process for engaging in research outlined in the Research Pathways document (PDF 201KB) and complete a Research Proposal Form (PDF 192KB), which outlines key requirements and considerations to support planned, high-quality and ethically sound research.

The Research proposal form (PDF 192KB) can be submitted to the VAD Research Subcommittee via email to Health.VADReviewBoard@sa.gov.au.


Research pathways (PDF 201KB) provides information regarding the process for submitting a research proposal to the VAD Research Subcommittee.

Contact us

If you would like to contact the VAD Research Subcommittee, please email the VAD Review Board Secretariat at Health.VADReviewBoard@sa.gov.au.