About voluntary assisted dying

A person pointing to themself with their other hand raised. Behind them is a map of Australia with NSW highlighted.

In New South Wales (NSW) some people can choose to use voluntary assisted dying.

A person in a hospital bed being cared for by a doctor. The person in the bed has a speech bubble with an icon of a cross over themselves in it.

Voluntary assisted dying is when a person asks a doctor for help to end their life.

In this guide we explain:

A person pointing to a clipboard they're holding. The number '11' is on the clipboard.

  • the 11 steps of voluntary assisted dying

A group of 3 people, with one of them highlighted. Above the group is a question mark.

  • who is eligible for voluntary assisted dying.

A person holding a rules document. The document has ticks next to each item on it.

To be eligible, you must meet the rules about who can use voluntary assisted dying.

Rules about who can use voluntary assisted dying

An adult pointing to themself with their other hand raised. Next to them is the number '18'.

You must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for voluntary assisted dying.

You must also be:

A 'Citizen' legal document with a map of Australia on it.

  • an Australian citizen – someone who is a member of a country by law
  • or

A map of Australia with a tick on it, and a 'Citizen' document with a cross on it.

  • a permanent resident – someone who is allowed to live in Australia, but they are not a citizen.

A map of Australia. Next to it is a calendar that reads '3 years'.

You must have lived in Australia for at least 3 years in a row to be eligible for voluntary assisted dying.

A map of Australia with NSW highlighted. Next to it is a calendar that reads '12 months'.

You must have lived in NSW for at least 12 months to be eligible for voluntary assisted dying.

You must have an illness or medical condition that:

A thumbs up with an arrow pointing up. Above it is a cross.

  • will not get better

A thumbs down with an arrow pointing down.

  • will keep getting worse

A person crying with a thought bubble that shows a sad face.

  • is causing you too much suffering.

A person with their head faced down. They are covering their face with their hand.

When you are suffering, it means you are struggling a lot.

For example, you might feel:

  • a lot of pain in your body
  • very sad and worried
  • like you can't enjoy your life.

A calendar that reads '6 months' and another calendar that reads '12 months'.

This means you may only have:

  • up to 6 months to live
  • or
  • up to 12 months to live in some cases.

A person with a speech bubble that has a tick and a cross in it.

You must be able to:

  • make your own decision to use voluntary assisted dying
  • communicate your decision to use voluntary assisted dying.

A person pointing to themself with their other hand raised. They have a speech bubble with an icon of a cross over themselves in it.

It must be your choice to use voluntary assisted dying.

No one else can make this decision for you.

A doctor having a conversation on a phone. They have a speech bubble with an icon of a cross over a person in it.

A doctor will ask you a number of times if you still want to use voluntary assisted dying.

This is so they can make sure voluntary assisted dying is still your choice.