Compassionate end-of-life care recognises and responds to the physical, emotional and psychological distress that can accompany dying. This involves person-centred care that respects personal autonomy, facilitates informed decision-making, and ensures timely access to end-of-life care options.

This report sets out voluntary assisted dying (VAD) activity from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025, as well as activity since the commencement of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2017 (Vic). It provides the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board’s reflections drawn from case reviews and feedback. Quotes and feedback from people who have voluntarily chosen to die, those who were with them, and medical practitioners involved in voluntary assisted dying requests are also included in the report.

The Board is satisfied that over the past 12 months the objective to provide safe access to VAD was realised. However, barriers to timely access and concerns around program sustainability remain. Addressing these matters is essential to realising compassionate end-of-life care for more Victorians. 

Community approval and support for the provision of VAD continues to grow, as does the expectation for broader eligibility and access to this end-of-life care option. A growth in requests means Victoria will need to adjust the way it supports the system through which VAD requests proceed.

Key findings

• In 2024–25, the Board received an unprecedented 837 requests for voluntary assisted dying.
• VAD deaths accounted for 0.85% of all deaths in Victoria, consistent with the previous year.
• There was a modest 1% increase in self-administration permits issued, alongside a significant 28% rise in practitioner administration permits.
• During 2024–25, 171 applicants died before receiving a permit.
• The current prohibition on health practitioners initiating discussions about VAD also presents a significant barrier.
• The Board is concerned about ongoing disparities in equitable access, particularly for people from regional communities.