Dying With Dignity Victoria

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Dying With Dignity Victoria

We aim to provide information surrounding end-of-life issues for all Victorians & prevent suffering

04/10/2026

This Wednesday 7 Oct, Go Gentle founder Andrew Denton returns to the National Press Club, ten years after his last address on voluntary assisted dying (VAD) that helped spark a national movement to implement VAD laws across Australia.

We’re looking forward to hearing Andrew reflect on a decade of progress, the barriers that still limit access for eligible people and what needs to change in the years ahead.

Tune in to ABC iview on Wednesday 7 Oct at 12:30pm AEDT.

28/09/2026

Nicole’s stepfather Shane lived with Motor Neuron Disease (MND) for two years before he accessed voluntary assisted dying (VAD).

Nicole shares the challenges her family experienced trying to access appropriate healthcare for Shane whilst living in regional Victoria, and her reflections on the vital importance of care and choice at the end-of-life.

We encourage you to read Nicole's story, and we are deeply grateful to her and her family for sharing it with us.

If you or someone you love has been through the VAD process, we invite you to share your story with us. You can contact our office at [email protected].

Read Nicole's story on our website: https://www.dwdv.org.au/nicole_s_story

22/09/2026

The Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) reforms will be implemented in April of next year. Here’s a reminder of the current process for applying for VAD in Victoria.

At the final stage of the VAD application process, an individual must complete a written declaration formally requesting VAD.

This form must be done in the presence of your coordinating health practitioner and two adult witnesses. It is at this time that a contact person is appointed and most often the final verbal request made.

Witnesses provide independent oversight to ensure you have capacity, understand the consequences of taking the VAD substance and are acting freely.

The Contact person is responsible for returning any unused VAD medication to the dispensing pharmacy.

Sometimes the person seeking VAD eligibility is either unable or unwilling to involve people they know as witnesses and/or contact people.

In such cases, trained DWDV volunteers can step in to help.

Learn more about Witnesses and Contact People on our website: https://www.dwdv.org.au/witnesses_and_contact_people

17/09/2026

Go Gentle Australia's national 2026 Voluntary Assisted Dying survey is still open! We encourage you to take a moment to contribute before the survey closes on 20th September.

This survey is for patients, families and the general public. It only takes a few minutes and all your answers are de-identified.

Complete the survey here: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6967080/gga-survey-2026?control121614133=emailb&fbclid=IwY2xjawUYTPNwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMTlwV0dad2o4MjFQMkU3QUpzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeAzJ_Zh4YqQKf71HG6Bysn5tnjmQZepE9HJ9Pq1drh3-ZPhVcYGSPRk0fzWk_aem_hGCdIf3ucATu5vhlpUozVA

16/09/2026

Last week, the UK Parliament voted against the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill at its second reading, ending this year’s attempt to introduce a safe, compassionate assisted dying law in England and Wales.

The Bill, introduced by Lauren Edwards MP, would have given terminally ill adults the right to make a voluntary, informed choice at the end of life.

After the vote, Edwards said: “Assisted dying will come in this country, as it is already doing all across the world, but not soon enough. Parliament has dropped the ball today. It will be picked up again, as it must be, because the law as it stands is simply too cruel and too unjust to be allowed to stand.”

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/sep/11/mps-vote-against-legalising-assisted-dying-in-england-and-wales

10/09/2026

We received a beautiful card (and two very delicious biscuits!) from Jess Amsden at DonateLife Victoria, thanking us for our support.

We don’t often receive gestures like this, and it truly means a lot to our team.

A big thank you to Jess and to DonateLife Victoria for the kindness and for the vital work you do supporting families, honouring people’s choices, and strengthening end of life care across the state. We’re grateful to stand alongside organisations committed to dignity, compassion and respect.

06/09/2026

The Victorian Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) reforms will be implemented in April of next year. Here’s a reminder of the current process for applying for VAD in Victoria.

Under Victoria’s current law, doctors cannot raise VAD, you must start the conversation. Once you have your supporting documents, ask your GP or medical specialist whether they have completed the required VAD training.

To find authorised VAD practitioners in Victoria, you can contact the Statewide VAD Navigator Service for help with:
- information about VAD
- personalised support
- connections with trained doctors
- access to VAD support packages

Your coordinating doctor will assess your medical and administrative eligibility to access VAD under the law and a second doctor, often a specialist with expertise in your condition, will need to confirm your eligibility and time frame prognosis until death.

Contact details for the Navigator service can be found on our website: https://www.dwdv.org.au/vad_in_victoria

04/09/2026

Submissions are still open!

Are you an early career professional working in or alongside Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) in Victoria?

DWDV is offering one fully funded 2 day pass to attend the Trans Tasman Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference (VADCON 2026) in Melbourne on 19–20 October, plus a travel bursary for regional applicants if needed.

https://www.vadcon.com.au/

We’re inviting applications from people whose work connects to VAD, such as medical practitioners, nurses, social workers, psychologists, pharmacists, occupational therapists and individuals who support VAD applicants or their families. You must be living and working in Victoria to be eligible.

What’s included
• 1 x in person 2 day pass (valued at $795)
• Travel bursary available for regional applicants

How to apply
Email [email protected] outlining:

• Why you’d like to attend VADCON 2026
• How it supports your work connected to VAD
• If you require travel assistance to attend from regional Victoria

Applications close: Friday 11 September

02/09/2026

We are delighted to announce Carol Nichols has joined the DWDV Board!

Carol brings her personal experience of living with a life-limiting illness and several years supporting the death of a friend with early onset dementia to her work with DWDV.

Carol is deeply committed to making a positive impact on health systems and services. She says, "we can never take for granted our access to safe, supportive healthcare, including end of life care and the ability to choose what's right for ourself. I am proud to be part of Dying With Dignity Victoria to ensure all people can access the sorts of healthcare and support they deserve, where and when they choose."

Welcome Carol!

Read more about our Board Members: https://www.dwdv.org.au/ourboard

01/09/2026

In August, we celebrated Dying To Know Day, an annual event led by Proveda.

Many events were held across Australia, with DWDV represented by Board Member Dr Nick Carr. We were thrilled to see so many attendees across events, and for open discussions to include Advance Care Planning, organ donation, palliative care, Voluntary Assisted Dying and death literacy.

Thank you to all who participated!

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Telephone

+61491718632

Website

http://www.dwdv.org.au/

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