Seniors Rights Service supports the rights of older people to make decisions about all aspects of their lives and this extends to difficult and complex decisions associated with voluntary assisted dying.
As the largest Ageing Peak Agency in NSW we have continued to support older people and their carers across New South Wales with free legal advice, aged care and financial advocacy and information.
Our role is to advocate for older people, assisting them and their carers to claim their rights and support them in exercising those rights so that they enjoy a rich life as seniors and respected members of the community with dignified and equitable access to the care and support they need.
As an organisation dedicated to protecting and advancing the rights of older people, particularly vulnerable and disadvantaged groups we have continued to provide leadership on a broad range of issues that impact the rights and dignity of older people in NSW.
In August 2024, the Board of Directors of Seniors Rights Service made the following statement:
We support the rights of older people to make decisions about all aspects of their lives and this extends to difficult and complex decisions associated with end-of-life care. The Board supports legislative reforms that advance the rights of older people with life limiting physical illness to choose to die at a time and in a manner acceptable to them.
The Board also recognises the important distinction between voluntary assisted dying and palliative care and supports the rights of older people for continued and unfettered access to quality palliative care.
The Board of Directors of Seniors Rights Service encourages and supports ongoing discussion that is well informed, honest and respectful.
Seniors Rights Service is a signatory on the joint statement made by Go Gentle Australia on the Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) Amendment (Residential Facilities) Bill 2025 on the rights of terminally ill people in residential aged care.
We believe in protecting the legal rights of older people to ensure that NSW residents, regardless of their care setting are treated with fairness and compassion when it comes to Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).
If you have questions or concerns regarding VAD, we are an accredited specialist community legal centre that provides free, independent and confidential legal assistance on a range of aged care related issues and more to older people in NSW.
Go Gentle Australia and Dying with Dignity NSW Resources
NSW Health Resources
Information for people considering VAD
Information for family members, friends and carers
Information for health practitioners and providers
To discuss voluntary assisted dying or be connected with a doctor who can support you through the process, call the free NSW Voluntary Assisted Dying Care Navigator Service on 1300 802 133 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm or email NSLHD-VADCareNavigator@health.nsw.gov.au
Voluntary assisted dying means an eligible person can ask for medical help to end their life.
The person must have an advanced and progressive disease, illness, or medical condition that is expected to cause their death within six months (or 12 months for neurodegenerative diseases like motor neurone disease).
They must also be experiencing suffering that can’t be relieved in a way that is acceptable to them.
