ACT voluntary assisted dying program marks first anniversary

“Jason was a bit of a larrikin. He was very cheeky. We grew up in rural New South Wales together and we met at school,” Anthea recalled.

Jason, who had been battling motor neuron disease for eight years, became the first person in the Australian Capital Territory to access voluntary assisted dying when the program commenced on November 3, 2025.

“Jason didn’t want to have a long palliative sedation death; he wanted to go quickly, and so we were the first family to actually ring the care navigator service on the 3rd of November in 2025,” she explained. “I’m so grateful that voluntary assisted dying was available to us.”

Anthea described the experience as allowing them to begin the grieving process as Jason’s condition deteriorated. He passed away in June of this year, surrounded by family and caregivers in his home.

“It was obviously a very emotional day, but we actually had lots of laughs and lots of tears,” she said. “He was surrounded by love.”

She emphasized that his death was peaceful, easing the burden of loss.

According to a report released today by the Voluntary Assisted Dying Oversight Board, 57 individuals have utilized the program since its inception. Data collected between November 3, 2025, and June 30, 2026, indicates that over 150 people requested the service, with 110 progressing to the final request stage. The average time between initial inquiry and death was 20 days, and the median age of those seeking information was 77.

Darlene Cox, chair of the ACT Voluntary Assisted Dying Oversight Board, stated that a thorough review of each case revealed no significant safety concerns, affirming the effectiveness of the legislative safeguards.

The ACT Legislative Assembly legalized voluntary assisted dying in June 2024, making it one of the final Australian jurisdictions to do so. The government considers its framework to be the “most progressive” in the nation, allowing individuals to “end their lives with dignity and autonomy, at the right time for them,” according to Health Minister Marisa Paterson.

Paterson highlighted the program’s unique feature: the absence of mandated timeframes between steps, distinguishing it nationally. The government is advocating for federal legislation to permit telehealth consultations for voluntary assisted dying.

A comprehensive review of the program is scheduled for 2028, providing an opportunity for community input.