Overview (Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board Annual Report 2024-25)

This is the third annual report of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board (Review Board) submitted to the Minister for Health and Wellbeing (Minister) in accordance with the requirements of section 120 (1) of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (the Act). Information and statistics contained herein are reflective of the 12 months from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

The information provided in this report includes:

  • a summary of voluntary assisted dying activity over the 12-month reporting period and since the commencement of voluntary assisted dying in South Australia, including updated figures for 2023-2024
  • personal reflections from family, friends and loved ones of individuals who have accessed voluntary assisted dying
  • an overview of voluntary assisted dying services in South Australia
  • information about the Review Board and its strategic priorities.

Figure 1 below shows an upward trend in voluntary assisted dying activity since inception on 31 January 2023.

Deaths resulting from the administration of the voluntary assisted dying substance accounted for approximately 1.6% of all deaths in South Australia during the 2024-25 reporting period up from 1.0% the previous year. This figure is consistent with the range reported by other Australian jurisdictions, where deaths from voluntary assisted dying substance administration represent between 0.85 and 3% of total deaths.