Dying With Dignity Victoria

23/08/2026

Deborah’s father was able to have the kind of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) experience everyone individual deserves. A dignified death, at home with the people he loved.

Deborah shared her story with us because of how positive her experience was with VAD and as a means to demonstrate the real world implications of the current telehealth ban and to encourage reform.

In her own words: "Not allowing this reform...would not only be discriminatory and unjust, but it would also put unnecessary added pressure on terminally ill patients and their loved ones. From a personal point of view, watching someone suffer from such an insipid illness is gut wrenching and the worst nightmare you could ever think of. ‘Voluntary Assisted Dying’, gives those seeking it, the opportunity to die painlessly and with dignity. We need to support all measures to ensure this is a possibility for those seeking it."

Read Deborah's story on our website: https://www.dwdv.org.au/deborah_s_story

21/08/2026

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

16/08/2026

We are so grateful to Roz Hervey and her family for sharing their story and prompting discussion around the critical importance of choice at the end-of-life.

Roz says: "it is so, so important that people have the opportunity to die with dignity. I get to choose my beautiful surroundings, people who I love around me and dying in a calm, beautiful, and graceful way."

We encourage you to read the article below and watch the Australian Story 'The Final Act' tonight at 8pm (AEST) on ABCTV and ABC iview.

Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-16/after-mnd-diagnosis-roz-hervey-taught-what-it-meant-to-live-vad/106925128?fbclid=IwZnRzaATvFCNwZG9mAWZkaWQWUMm_cSjXXm2zmaKu5rR5bSGOou0NwGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5gmorEcPYwYZ3qv9YyFqzb-FKcm-nksZAfaEHM2a4lqgTOhWHyL7cMQ3nMfA_aem_cp-Y4ItKmoTPd7yTb9UHlQ

11/08/2026

We encourage you to read and listen to Sandra's story.

Sandra Sarantou, a former paramedic from Adelaide, is choosing to access voluntary assisted dying (VAD) today.

Sandra is urging the Albanese Government to act on the Telehealth ban to make it easier for regional residents to access the care they need at their end-of-life.

Read more: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-11/regional-vad-dying-woman-using-final-days-to-lobby-pm/107010688

Listen here: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/am/regional-australians-struggling-to-get-access-to-vad-doctors/107022912

09/08/2026

Every year, Go Gentle Australia run a survey to track community awareness and experiences of voluntary assisted dying (VAD) around Australia, to understand what can be improved.

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

Wherever you live and whatever you know about VAD, we encourage you to take a moment to contribute.

Complete the survey now: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6967080/gga-survey-2026?control121614133=emailb

08/08/2026

It’s Dying to Know Day.
You might have seen the influx of events covering ALL the topics - the week around this can be such a busy one. My partner calls it “Death Doula Christmas”.

Dying to Ask is hosting the VAD (Voluntary Assisted Dying) Navigator Adam Rutyna in Heathcote on Tuesday 11 August - due to community interest we have moved to the Oval Room at Barrack Reserve. 10.30-12pm
It’s going to be very interesting.

And here are my favourite things, in case you can’t get to an event:
Books:
1. How to Die in the 21st Century by Hannah Gould - so much great information
2. It’s ok that you’re not ok by Megan Devine - for anyone struggling in grief
3. Not Dead Yet by Amanda Collins - a little helpful book about supporting the dying when you’re all at sea.
Listen:
1. The Club Sandwich podcast https://www.greataustralianpods.com/club-sandwich/ - for people who are caring for ageing parents.
2. Dead Air https://www.hayleywest.com.au/radio - Hayley’s excellent Castlemaine-based radio show will keep you informed on advances in death care, changes in culture and thoughtful conversation
3. Where there’s a will, there’s a wake -
https://www.facebook.com/share/1C5s9hrjMw/?mibextid=wwXIfr - a very lighthearted (and often nonsensical) look at death, funerals and wakes, hosted by UK legend Mel Giedroyc. Because you’ve gotta laugh.

Go very gently, friend, and happy Dying to Know Day.

06/08/2026

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.

To apply for VAD, a person must have a progressive, incurable or advanced disease, illness or medical condition expected to cause death within six months (or 12 for neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease). They must be experiencing suffering that is unacceptable to them. They must be able to make and communicate their decisions throughout the entire application process.

They must also:
- be 18+
- have lived in Victoria for at least 12 months
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident.

A person must have documents to prove the above, including drivers licence or birth certificate, a utility bill from 12+ months ago and proof of citizenship or residency. It’s best to gather these documents as early in the process as possible.

Read more on our website: https://www.dwdv.org.au/vad_in_victoria

30/07/2026

Victoria’s Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) care navigators are doing extraordinary work, guiding people at their end-of-life through some of the most complex and emotionally charged processes in the health system.

Today's article in The Guardian highlights the incredible work of our VAD care navigators, whilst exploring some of the systemic barriers individuals still face, including the Federal Telehealth ban.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/ng-interactive/2026/jul/31/voluntary-assisted-dying-care-navigators-victoria?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=soc_567&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZnRzaATYsPdwZG9mAWZkaWQWULiUO5lXkwgbyyIGkixf6fuPj41sH2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR63avclt-YE5PyC8adWH-Tcqgw-pLsWEw3QX8BJikMk7w__X0pFc5DXK8pXnQ_aem_R50-oTg7MPJYxy3PYV-RdQ =1785449491

29/07/2026

A wonderful explanation on why the Telehealth ban on VAD exists, how it can cruelly impact those suffering at the end of life unable to attend face to face consultations and how the situation could be so easily remedied to allow all VAD eligible Australians equitable access to this legal end of life healthcare option.
Thank you Andrew Denton and Go Gentle Australia
The Guardian

💛 Andrew Denton has written a powerful new piece in The Guardian on how rural Australians are still being blocked from Voluntary Assisted Dying - all because of the outdated telehealth ban.

He shows what this means for real patients, real families and the doctors trying to support them. 🌿📞

And he’s crystal clear: the Prime Minister must allow Parliament to debate this issue so rural Australians who want VAD aren’t left behind.

Read the article 👇
https://ow.ly/agmY50ZtGEG

28/07/2026

Last week, the Australian Labor Party endorsed an amendment to its policy platform that would amend the Federal Criminal Code and allow terminally ill individuals seeking voluntary assisted dying (VAD) the ability to communicate with their medical practitioners via Telehealth.

The amendment must now be approved by Cabinet before it can be introduced into the Federal Parliament.

As such, sustained advocacy will be essential to ensure that this reform receives the attention and support it so desperately deserves.

Should the legislation be introduced, MPs will be granted a conscience vote. This means every Victorian Federal MP must be made aware of the discriminatory and harmful nature of the current ban, and the profoundly positive impact reform would have for dying individuals and their families.

We are asking you to share your stories with us, to help us advocate for this change. We will share a collation of your experiences with every Victorian Federal MP to help raise awareness of this vital reform.

We are looking for stories and experiences that illustrate the impact this ban has had on loved ones and those who have accessed VAD in Victoria. If you have a story to tell, we would love to hear from you. Please comment below, or send your story to [email protected]