20 days from request to death in ACT's assisted dying scheme
In its first eight months, 57 Canberrans used assisted dying with a median 20-day wait.
The ACT's voluntary assisted dying scheme recorded 57 deaths in its first eight months. The Oversight Board's inaugural report came out this week.
Of 163 people who made an initial request between November 2025 and June 2026, 156 completed first assessment, 128 had consulting assessment, and 110 reached final request stage. The median age was 77 years.
The board found no systemic safety concerns during the period. Approved substances were dispensed in 65 cases.
Travel remains the main barrier: Commonwealth laws restrict telehealth discussions about assisted dying. This forces patients to attend in-person consultations.
Attorney-General Tara Cheyne said this causes considerable distress for people nearing the end of life. The board chair agreed the restrictions are a significant obstacle.
The government is pushing for change at federal level. It is also addressing a gap in the law around people who lose decision-making capacity after approval.
Why it mattersTravel demands on dying patients and legal confusion about remote consultations prevent some people accessing a right intended for them.
AustraliaCommonwealth law is blocking ACT residents from accessing lawful assisted dying consultations remotely, forcing unnecessary travel for severely ill people.
