Northern Territory becomes final Australian jurisdiction to legalise voluntary assisted dying

Legislation passes unanimously in conscience vote; assisted dying to be available from early 2028

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By LineZotpaper

Published28 August 2026

Read Time3 min

The Northern Territory parliament on Thursday passed legislation to legalise voluntary assisted dying, making it the last Australian jurisdiction to do so. The bill, approved via a conscience vote with all but one member voting in favour (one abstained), will allow eligible Territorians to access assisted dying from early 2028, ending a decades-long battle that began when the NT originally enacted the world's first such law in the mid-1990s, only to have it overridden by the federal government nine months later.

The Northern Territory has become the final state or territory in Australia to legalise voluntary assisted dying (VAD), with its parliament passing the Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill on Thursday. The legislation, which passed with near-unanimous support in a conscience vote — only one member abstained — is the culmination of a long and complex legal history.

“This makes the NT the last Australian jurisdiction to legalise voluntary assisted dying. It will be available to Territorians in early 2028,” wrote Ben White and Kat Waller of the Australian Centre for Health Law Research at Queensland University of Technology in The Conversation.

The NT’s path to legalisation has been uniquely protracted. It originally enacted the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act in the mid-1990s — the first law of its kind in the world — but the federal government banned territories from making laws on the topic in 1997, overriding the NT legislation. That federal ban was finally lifted in 2022, allowing the NT to legislate again. An independent expert advisory panel in 2024 and a parliamentary committee in 2025 each recommended legalisation, with the committee’s proposed model largely reflected in the bill now passed.

Under the new law, eligibility criteria broadly mirror those in other Australian states. A person must be 18 or older, have decision-making capacity, and be suffering intolerably from an advanced, progressive medical condition expected to cause death within 12 months. Two independent doctors with training in VAD must assess each case, and a review board will provide oversight. Health professionals retain the right to conscientiously object.

However, the NT presents unique challenges. It has the highest proportion of Indigenous residents of any state or territory, and almost half of its population lives in rural or remote areas. The article notes these factors will shape how VAD is implemented and accessed. The government will now need to develop a regulatory framework, train medical practitioners, and ensure equitable access across vast distances.

Supporters argue the law provides choice and dignity for terminally ill Territorians, while critics have raised concerns about safeguards in remote communities and cultural sensitivities. The implementation timeline of early 2028 gives authorities time to address these issues.

Analysis

Why This Matters

This marks the completion of VAD legalisation across all Australian jurisdictions, ensuring uniform access for terminally ill people nationwide.
NT’s unique demographics — high Indigenous population and widespread rural/remote communities — will test whether VAD can be delivered equitably across diverse settings.
The federal override of the NT's original 1995 law was a landmark moment in Australian federalism; this reversal restores territory rights on a deeply personal issue.

Background

The NT was a pioneer on VAD, passing the Rights of the Terminally Ill Act in 1995 — the first such law anywhere in the world. It was used by four people before the federal government, under the Howard administration, passed the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997, which prohibited territories from legislating on the matter. States were exempt from the ban. After years of lobbying, the federal ban was repealed in December 2022, allowing the NT and the ACT to once again consider VAD. The NT government then established an independent expert advisory panel, whose 2024 report recommended legalisation, followed by a parliamentary committee in 2025 that produced the draft model used in the bill passed on Thursday.

Key Perspectives

[Supporters of VAD, including patient advocacy groups]: They argue that terminally ill Territorians deserve the same choice and dignity as those in other states. Many see this as a matter of compassion and individual autonomy, with safeguards to prevent abuse. [Medical professionals and health authorities]: While many doctors support VAD in principle, there are practical concerns about training sufficient practitioners, especially in remote areas where GPs may be scarce. The conscientious objection clause also means some patients may struggle to find a willing doctor. [Indigenous community leaders and cultural advisers]: Cultural sensitivities around death and dying, as well as historical distrust of medical systems, may affect uptake and require tailored community engagement. Some have called for culturally safe implementation that respects traditional practices.

What to Watch

Development of the regulatory framework and training programs over the next 18 months.
Uptake rates in remote and Indigenous communities compared to urban areas.
Any potential federal legal challenges or attempts to amend the law before it takes effect in 2028.

Sources

The Northern Territory has just voted to legalise voluntary assisted dying. Here’s how it will work — The Conversation – Articles (AU)