Voluntary assisted dying explained
Information about the key aspects of voluntary assisted dying to help you gain a better understanding of what it is.
The Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (the Act) commenced 31 January 2023.
All South Australians are entitled to high-quality end of life and palliative care, regardless of their medical diagnosis, age, culture, background, beliefs or where they live.
The introduction of safe, accessible and compassionate voluntary assisted dying gives eligible South Australians with a terminal illness choice at the end of life.
The process enables eligible people to voluntarily access and self-administer, or in some circumstances have a medical practitioner administer, a medication that will cause their death, in accordance with the steps and process set out in the Act.
Read the first Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board: Annual Report 2022-23 which provides a summary of operations since the commencement of voluntary assisted dying in South Australia on 31 January 2023.
New information for people considering voluntary assisted dying
Find out more about the eligibility criteria, pathway, communication supports and other resources available to help you make decisions at end of life.
Knowing your choices: Information for people considering voluntary assisted dying (PDF 212KB) is a resource to help you, your family, friends and carers, and the community learn more about accessing voluntary assisted dying in South Australia.
Fact sheets and Prepare for Assessment Form now available.
New information for health practitioners and health services
Learn more about the resources available to health services and health practitioners and their roles and rights in relation to voluntary assisted dying.
Support service contact information
Specialist services are available to support access to and provide information about voluntary assisted dying to people making decisions at end of life, their family, friends and carers, health practitioners and service providers.
Find out more about each service:
- SA Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service (SAVAD-CNS)
- SA Voluntary Assisted Dying Pharmacy Service (SAVAD-PS)
Medical practitioner information
Learn more about medical practitioner eligibility requirements, roles and rights in relation to voluntary assisted dying in SA.
Medical practitioner mandatory training – register now in the Clinical Portal.
Subscribe to our mailing list
In the lead up to commencement, the Voluntary Assisted Dying Implementation Taskforce are releasing monthly communiques which you can also access on the Implementation page.
If you would like to join the mailing list to receive regular information about the implementation of Voluntary Assisted Dying in South Australia, please email:
Health.VoluntaryAssistedDying@sa.gov.au with the subject line, 'Join the mailing list'.