VAD deaths in Victoria surge 31.6% in 2025-2026

Victorian voluntary assisted dying (VAD) deaths rose by 31.6% during the 2025-2026 financial year, according to a report from the state's Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board. The report shows 512 people died under the program during this period, up from 389 deaths in the previous financial year.

Since VAD became legal in Victoria in 2019, annual deaths have increased from 129 in the 2019-20 period to the current 512. These deaths accounted for 1.1% of all deaths in Victoria during the 2025-2026 financial year, compared to 0.3% during the first full year of operation.

The report detailed an incident where a patient received a lethal dose in February but died of natural causes in a hospital in April. Two days later, the patient's partner took the lethal dose and died. While the Victorian Board stated this incident does not change its assessment of the safety and integrity of the VAD framework, Catholic bishops in Victoria have expressed concern regarding the protection of vulnerable people as upcoming law changes scheduled for April 2027 expand access to the program.