Information for health practitioners

What is voluntary assisted dying and who is eligible?

Read about voluntary assisted dying and the eligibility criteria for patients.

Who can provide voluntary assisted dying services in NSW?

Authorised practitioners that meet certain criteria defined in the Act are eligible for the roles of:

• coordinating practitioner – conducts a first eligibility assessment and coordinates all steps of the voluntary assisted dying process
• consulting practitioner – conducts a second eligibility assessment, called a consulting assessment
• administering practitioner – administers the prescribed voluntary assisted dying substance to the patient. This role is only required if the patient chooses practitioner administration.

To be eligible as a coordinating or consulting practitioner, the practitioner must be a medical practitioner who holds specialist registration, or general registration and has practiced in the medical profession for at least 10 years.

To be eligible as an administering practitioner, the practitioner must be a medical practitioner who holds specialist registration or holds general registration and has practiced in the medical profession for at least 5 years. The practitioner may also be an overseas-trained specialist who holds limited registration or provisional registration or be a nurse practitioner.

In addition, eligible practitioners must also:

• complete approved mandatory training
• not be a family member of the patient
• not know or believe that they will benefit financially or materially from the death of the patient (beyond reasonable fees incurred as a practitioner)
• meet any other requirements that may be prescribed by regulations.

How do I become an authorised practitioner?

You can register to become an authorised voluntary assisted dying practitioner in NSW via the NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Portal.

Read the eligibility criteria above then visit the Portal to complete your registration.

When registering, make sure to have your:

• Ahpra registration number
• Healthcare Provider Identifier – Individual number (you can find your Healthcare Provider Identifier - Individual (HPI-I) number by logging into Ahpra's online portal) and
• up to date curriculum vitae ready to upload.

You will also need two valid forms of identification, one must include a photo. This may include:

• current Australian or overseas passport
• Australian visa
• Australian driver licence
• Australian marriage certificate
• proof of age or photo identity card
• Medicare card
• enrolment with the Australian Electoral Commission
• evidence of right to an Australian Government benefit.

NSW Health will assess the eligibility of all registrations and may be in touch for more information if required.

Following confirmation of eligibility, you will then be directed to complete the mandatory training in My Health Learning, NSW Health's online learning platform.

Can healthcare workers conscientiously object to voluntary assisted dying?

All healthcare workers have obligations under the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2022, including those with a conscientious objection. Read more about obligations of healthcare workers.

Are there education and training requirements for health care workers?

NSW Health has developed education and training packages for voluntary assisted dying.

The education and training packages include:

• comprehensive mandatory training for practitioners who wish to take on a formal role in the voluntary assisted dying process by becoming an authorised voluntary assisted dying practitioner
• awareness training for any healthcare worker.

Can healthcare workers initiate a discussion about voluntary assisted dying with patients?

Healthcare workers can initiate a discussion with a patient about voluntary assisted dying but this must be part of a broader discussion about other treatment and palliative care options.

The Act is very clear that in the same discussion:

• medical practitioners must talk to the patient about palliative care and treatment options for their disease and what the outcomes might be. Patients should be made aware of end of life options that align with their goals of care, and practitioners should ensure that referrals to appropriate services, for example, palliative care or pain management, are in place. ( see pages 3 to 4 of NSW Health Voluntary assisted dying policy directive PD2023_037)
• other healthcare workers must make sure the patient is aware that there are other treatment and palliative care options available to them, and that they should discuss these options with their medical practitioner.

Medical practitioners and health care workers should not provide information beyond their expertise.

What support will be available for health care workers?

The NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service can:

• support questions from healthcare workers and practitioners about voluntary assisted dying
• provide a community of practice to support authorised coordinating, consulting and administering practitioners
• coordinate ongoing training and support for coordinating, consulting and administering practitioners
• connect patients, in some circumstances, with coordinating, consulting, and administering practitioners.

The NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Pharmacy Service:

• coordinates the safe procurement, supply and disposal of the voluntary assisted dying medication across NSW
• supports patient access to the voluntary assisted dying medication regardless of their setting. For example, the patient may be in their home, at a residential care facility or a public hospital.