On 11 September, Preparing the Way’s Cosette Paneque joined advocates, medical professionals, and faith-based organisations at Parliament House, Victoria, for the launch of a critical campaign calling for reforms to the state’s Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) laws. Among the attendees were our fellow end of life doulas Nicole Grundy, Baci Hillyer of Deadicate, and Sharon Tregoning of Natural Grace Holistic Funeral Care.
The campaign represents more than policy reform; it’s about removing barriers that can compound suffering for people and families during their most vulnerable moments. For end of life doulas, caregivers, and allied health professionals who accompany people through these profound experiences, staying informed about these changes isn’t just professional development; it’s an essential part of providing truly holistic, person-centred care.
Understanding voluntary assisted dying in Victoria
Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) gives eligible adults who face an inevitable, imminent death because of an incurable disease, illness, or medical condition the option to request medical assistance to end their life when their suffering becomes too great. The VAD Act was passed in 2017 and came into effect in 2019.
Since 2019, 1,282 Victorians have accessed VAD services, and there is strong community support for it. However, experiences from families and healthcare providers reveal that there is still meaningful work to be done to ensure equitable access for all eligible Victorians.
Voices for VAD Reform
Dying With Dignity Victoria, instrumental in securing Victoria’s original end of life choice legislation, has launched “Voices for VAD Reform” with five specific recommendations aimed at enhancing accessibility. Their continued advocacy recognises that good legislation can always be improved through lived experience and evidence-based refinements.
Following the Five-Year Review of the VAD Act, the Victorian Government announced in February 2025 that it would accept five key recommendations focusing on sector guidance, community awareness, workforce support, service model enhancements, and federal advocacy. The government also announced additional legislative amendments that Dying with Dignity Victoria has welcomed as important steps toward improving access to VAD.
The proposed legislative changes address specific barriers in the current system. Key amendments include allowing health practitioners to initiate VAD discussions as part of broader end of life conversations, extending the prognosis timeframe to 12 months for all VAD applicants, and adding exemptions to residency requirements for individuals with substantial connections to Victoria. Other changes would remove the third assessment requirement for individuals with neurodegenerative conditions, change the waiting period for final requests to 5 days after the first request, and add exemption processes for interpreter certification requirements that can be difficult to meet for smaller language communities.
From L to R: Hon. Harriet Shing, Emma Vulin MP, Amanda Mundy, Robin White, Denise Stevens, and Medical Oncologist Dr Cameron McLaren.
The campaign launch featured a compelling panel discussion with Hon. Harriet Shing, Emma Vulin MP, and Medical Oncologist Dr Cameron McLaren. However, it was the personal testimonies from Amanda Mundy, Robin White, and Denise Stevens that brought the human reality of current barriers into sharp focus. Their courage in sharing their VAD journeys illuminated both the profound relief that accessible end of life choice can provide and the unnecessary obstacles that still exist. A video message from Hon. Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Health, reinforced the government’s ongoing commitment to this important work.
Why VAD reform matters for end of life doulas in Victoria (and everywhere)
As end of life doulas, we often witness the impact of current VAD processes on the people and families we support. The proposed amendments address specific challenges we’ve observed in practice.
When health practitioners can initiate VAD conversations, it removes the burden from patients and families to raise this topic themselves, something that can be particularly difficult when people are unsure about their options or worried about their doctor’s response. The extended 12-month prognosis timeframe and removal of additional assessments for neurodegenerative conditions may reduce the pressure people feel to make rapid decisions while their health deteriorates.
Changes to residency requirements could particularly benefit the families we support who have relocated to be closer to adult children or specialist care, while interpreter exemption processes may help individuals from smaller language communities who currently face additional barriers.
For doulas, these amendments underscore the importance of understanding both the possibilities and limitations within the current system, enabling us to provide accurate information and appropriate support as people navigate these decisions.
Our commitment to advocacy and education
Preparing the Way’s presence at this campaign launch reflects our foundational commitment to end of life education, advocacy, and care. We recognise that doulas, caregivers, and health professionals serve as vital bridges between complex healthcare systems and the people navigating them.
By staying engaged with policy developments, supporting reform initiatives, and continuing our education, we ensure our community is equipped to provide the highest quality support during end of life transitions. This isn’t just about understanding one option; it’s about championing a healthcare system that truly centres the needs, wishes, and dignity of every person approaching end of life.
The campaign for VAD reform represents an opportunity to build on Victoria’s eadership in end of life care, creating a system that is not only legally robust but genuinely accessible and compassionate for all who need it.