Who pays for travel needed to access VAD?
Travel costs for VAD depend on the state or territory, the person's location, available support programs and the travel scheme rules.
There is no single national answer. Travel costs for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) may be handled differently depending on where you live, whether a practitioner can travel, whether you need to travel, and whether a patient travel scheme or VAD access program applies.
Ask the VAD care navigator before paying large costs or assuming help is not available.
General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. Travel support and VAD access programs differ between states and territories. Confirm current arrangements with the official VAD service.
What costs might arise
Costs may include fuel, flights, accommodation, taxis, support-person travel, practitioner travel, or moving between facilities. There may also be costs for usual medical care, although many VAD-related public services are provided through state health systems.
What support may exist
Some states have VAD-specific access support. Some people may be able to use broader patient travel assistance schemes, such as support for regional patients who need specialist care.
The rules can be strict. Ask what evidence, approvals or referrals are needed.
Questions to ask
Ask the navigator:
- "Is there a local practitioner?"
- "Can a practitioner travel to me?"
- "Can I use a patient travel scheme?"
- "Will my support person's travel be covered?"
- "What costs should I expect?"
You may also want to read
- How does VAD work if I live in regional or rural Australia?
- Will a VAD doctor travel to me?
- What happens if I am too unwell to travel for a VAD assessment?