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Uniting supports choice in Voluntary Assisted Dying

Uniting NSW.ACT

Media release                                                                             7 November 2025

Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD) is an end-of-life option that terminally ill people in NSW may choose, provided they meet the eligibility criteria set out in the Act – it came into effect on 28 November 2023 across NSW.  This includes people who live in Residential Aged Care or who are receiving Home Care services in their own home.

Our focus at Uniting NSW.ACT has been and will continue to be to provide optimal symptom management, and psychosocial and spiritual support that palliative care provides to all people with a life limiting illness regardless of end of life choices. 

Uniting’s approach to VAD is to walk alongside our residents at end of life. We work to ensure if someone we care for with a life limiting illness wishes to explore VAD as an option, the individual, their family and their carers will not be made to feel judged, abandoned or scared that their care will be adversely affected.

Uniting recognises some staff members may wish to exercise their right to conscientious objection. Should staff decline to be involved in conversations about VAD, they can do so, and others will step in to assist the resident with referrals to progress their request.

Uniting’s Chief Executive Tracey Burton said, “We must remember residential aged care homes are exactly that - people’s homes - and older people have the same rights as those in the wider community. Uniting does not prevent our residents from seeking voluntary assisted dying if that is their wish.” 

Moderator of the Uniting Church Synod of NSW and ACT, Reverend Mata Havea Hiliau said the Church supports the personal views, theological beliefs and rights of all individuals regarding VAD.

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