Northern Territory has just voted to legalise voluntary assisted dying. Here’s how it will work

The Northern Territory has recently approved the legalization of voluntary assisted dying, marking it as the last Australian jurisdiction to do so. The legislation passed via a conscience vote with all but one member of parliament in favor. This makes the NT the last area in the country to grant this choice to its residents, with early 2028 marking the start of availability.

The high proportion of Indigenous people in the NT, as well as the significant rural and remote population, have influenced how voluntary assisted dying will work in the region. After consulting experts and parliamentary committees, the new law mirrors the model proposed by these bodies. To meet eligibility requirements, individuals must be 18 or older, capable of making their own decisions, and facing intolerable suffering due to an advanced, progressive medical condition with an expectancy of death within 12 months.

Two independent doctors specializing in voluntary assisted dying will assess these criteria, with a review board overseeing each case. Health professionals have the right to object to any part of the process, but must provide patients with government-approved information about the system if asked. While the NT initially imposed a ban on healthcare workers discussing voluntary assisted dying, this rule has since been removed in other Australian jurisdictions.

To cater to the NT's diverse population and cultural backgrounds, patients can request voluntary assisted dying in writing or through video recordings. Family members or cultural authority figures may also be involved in the decision-making process, depending on the person's preferences. In a unique provision, a government-approved Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioner will be allowed to administer the medication, alongside specially trained doctors, nurse practitioners, and registered nurses.