Tasmania launches review of assisted dying framework amid rising uptake

Three years after voluntary assisted dying became legal

Three years after voluntary assisted dying became legal in Tasmania, the state has initiated a formal review of the legislation as the number of residents seeking the service continues to climb.

The assessment comes as advocates and health officials examine how the current rules are functioning in practice, with particular attention to patient access, eligibility criteria, and the experiences of medical professionals involved in the process.

Among those who have used the system is Gaye Crick, a former midwife from Tasmania, who described the law as restoring a sense of control during the final stages of a terminal illness. For her, the option provided a measure of dignity and personal authority when her condition left little else within her command.

The review is expected to gather feedback from

The review is expected to gather feedback from clinicians, families, and support organisations, and will weigh whether adjustments are needed to streamline procedures or address any unintended barriers that have emerged since the law took effect.

Officials have stressed that the process will remain transparent and evidence-based, with any proposed changes to be presented to parliament for debate. The outcome is likely to shape how the state balances individual choice with regulatory safeguards in the years ahead.