Australian territories VAD legislation nearing completion

In mid‑July 2026 the ACT Civil and Administrative Tribunal confirmed a Canberra man’s capacity to apply for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) under the territory’s 2025 scheme, but said it could not reassess whether his three chronic conditions satisfied the statutory “advanced and progressive” test, leaving him unable to access VAD.

A week later the Northern Territory announced that its Rights of the Terminally Ill Bill 2026 had secured a majority of support in the Legislative Assembly, with all Country Liberal Party members indicating backing for an upcoming conscience vote. The bill restores VAD rights first granted in 1996, introduces a “gag clause” that prevents health workers from initiating VAD discussions, requires face‑to‑face assessments, and limits eligibility to patients with a life expectancy of 12 months or less. Passage is expected in August, making the NT the final Australian jurisdiction to adopt VAD legislation and aligning its framework with the national model.

By late July, analysts anticipated that the NT’s approval would complete nationwide access to VAD. Simultaneously, the Australian Labor Party’s national conference endorsed an amendment to remove federal barriers to telehealth consultations for VAD, while retaining clinical safeguards. The amendment also calls for stronger regulator powers and annual parliamentary reporting, reflecting a broader move toward uniform end‑of‑life care across the country.