Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2024

A doctor or nurse practitioner with the necessary expertise may raise voluntary assisted dying with an individual for the individual to consider their end of life choices only if the doctor or nurse practitioner—

knows or believes on reasonable grounds that the individual has been diagnosed with a condition or conditions mentioned in section 11 (1) (b); and

takes reasonable steps to ensure the individual knows of—

the treatment options available for the condition or conditions; and

the likely outcome of the treatment options; and

the palliative care options available to the individual; and

the likely outcome of the palliative care options.

A relevant health professional may raise voluntary assisted dying with an individual for the individual to consider their end of life choices only if the relevant health professional—

knows or believes on reasonable grounds that the individual has been diagnosed with a condition or conditions mentioned in section 11 (1) (b); and

takes reasonable steps to ensure the individual knows that—

treatment and palliative care options are available to the individual; and

the individual should discuss the options with their treating doctor.

In this section:

necessary expertise—a doctor or nurse practitioner has the necessary expertise if they are satisfied that they have the expertise to appropriately discuss treatment and palliative care options with an individual.

relevant health professional means—

a counsellor who meets the requirements prescribed by regulation; or

a health practitioner other than a doctor or nurse practitioner with the necessary expertise; or

a social worker who meets the requirements prescribed by regulation; or

any other health professional prescribed by regulation.