Victoria’s assisted dying laws take effect from this week. legalising euthanasia

Victoria legalises euthanasia on Wednesday under strict guidelines set by the state government. How will the system work, and who oversees assisted dying?

Euthanasia will be legal in Victoria from Wednesday as the state becomes the first in Australia to allow voluntary assisted dying for terminally ill patients.

More than 100 doctors — including about a third in regional Victoria — have been training to prepare to help those who meet strict criteria to access the lethal drugs that will be distributed from The Alfred hospital.

Only adults with the capacity to make decisions and who have a disease or condition likely to cause death within six months — or a year for those with neurodegenerative conditions — will be able to access the scheme.

Three pharmacists at The Alfred are responsible for mixing the drugs and delivering them personally to patients across the state.

Two assisted dying “navigators” are based at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, while every Victorian region has at least one public health service with appropriately qualified staff to help those considering their options.

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The historic reforms were legislated at the end of 2017, with strict checks and balances put in place since then.

As many as 200 Victorians are expected to make use of the laws each year, although the government believes as few as 12 people will take the euthanasia drug over the next 12 months.

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