Choosing voluntary assisted dying
Voluntary assisted dying services for the terminally ill will start in early 2028.
NT Health is working with health service providers to prepare the workforce, clinical arrangements and safeguards before it can become available. Read more about timelines for implementation.
Voluntary assisted dying is one end-of-life option for the terminally ill. It allows eligible people to choose the timing, place and circumstances of their death.
Palliative care, treatment and other end-of-life care remain available.
Access to voluntary assisted dying
Access will be available regardless of where you live in the NT.
To access voluntary assisted dying in the NT, you must:
- be 18 years or older
- have lived in the NT for at least 12 months and be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident
- have an advanced and progressive disease, illness or medical condition and be expected to die from the condition within 12 months
- experience suffering caused by the condition or its treatment
- have decision making capacity at all stages throughout the process
- be acting voluntarily and with out coercion.
You may be granted an exemption from the citizenship or residency requirements. This may include having a substantial connection to the NT or another circumstance permitted by law.
Ask a doctor
You will need to start the conversation yourself by asking a doctor about voluntary assisted dying. You cannot request voluntary assisted dying through an advance personal plan or advance care directive.
A healthcare worker, including a doctor, cannot suggest voluntary assisted dying or begin the discussion. They can only provide information if you ask about it.
Two assessments
An eligible and specially trained doctor will become your coordinating doctor.
They will assess whether you:
- meet the eligibility requirements
- understand the information you need to make your decision.
A second eligible and trained doctor will also independently assess whether you meet the eligibility requirements.
Make a formal request
If both doctors assess you as eligible, you can make a formal request.
The request may be:
- a witnessed written declaration
- a witnessed audiovisual recording that meets the legal requirements.
A minimum period will apply between your first request and formal request. Exceptions may apply in circumstances allowed by law.
The required forms and information will be provided to the Independent Review Board. The board will monitor compliance with the law.
Continue, pause or stop
Your coordinating doctor will confirm eligibility by:
- ensuring all required legal steps have been completed
- confirming you are still making and communicating your own decisions.
At any time, even after you have been assessed as eligible you can choose to either continue, pause or stop the voluntary assisted dying process.
If you continue, your coordinating doctor will talk to you about how you would like to administer the substance. You can choose to:
- administer the approved substance yourself
- have it administered by an eligible and specially trained practitioner.
If you choose to administer it yourself, you must appoint a contact person and meet additional legal requirements.
Strict controls will apply to the prescription, supply, storage, administration and disposal of the approved substance.