Queensland reports record increase in assisted dying deaths

Euthanasia deaths in Queensland, Australia, have increased significantly, reaching a record 1,082 assisted deaths during the 2025–26 financial year. This represents a 36.44 percent increase since the 2023–24 period. Of these, 836 deaths were practitioner-administered, while 246 were self-administered.

According to the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board, euthanasia now accounts for approximately three percent of all deaths in the state. Cancer remains the primary diagnosis for those eligible, accounting for 77 percent of cases, followed by respiratory diseases at 9 percent and neurological disorders at 6 percent.

The report highlights a growing number of individuals who did not access palliative care at their first assessment, rising from 359 in 2023–24 to 503 in 2025–26. In response to these trends, the review board is consulting on potential changes to eligibility criteria, specifically regarding individuals living with dementia and existing prognosis requirements.