Voluntary assisted dying provides an additional end-of-life choice that gives eligible people who are suffering and dying the option of asking for medical assistance to end their lives.

In Queensland, there are legal obligations under the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 that all medical practitioners must comply with, even if they do not wish to be an authorised VAD practitioner. These include how to:

• initiate a discussion about voluntary assisted dying
• respond if someone makes a first request
• respond if asked to undertake a consulting assessment
• complete a cause of death certificate for someone who has accessed voluntary assisted dying.

Becoming an authorised VAD practitioner

If you are interested in becoming an authorised VAD practitioner for your own patients or more broadly for patients in your community, you can apply via the Queensland Health website.  If you are considering becoming an authorised voluntary assisted dying practitioner, you are encouraged to apply now.

Education and resources available

• Voluntary assisted dying education module - this short online education module provides an overview of voluntary assisted dying in Queensland, including healthcare worker roles, responsibilities and obligations
• QVAD Handbook - assists healthcare workers, health services and others to understand their roles and responsibilities, and supports compliance with the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021 (the Act)
• Statewide Voluntary Assisted Dying Health Pathways - created to assist general practitioners
• The Queensland Health website - A range of resources and information are available for healthcare workers to help them understand their roles, responsibilities and obligations. The website also has resources to assist with having conversations with patients.