Event runs 19-20 October at 535 Elizabeth Street
More than 350 health professionals, policymakers and researchers from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand are gathering in Melbourne for the two-day Voluntary Assisted Dying Conference, or VADCON26, on 19-20 October 2026.
Go Gentle Australia and VADANZ are co-convening the event. VADANZ is the peak body for VAD professionals. Health communicator Dr Andrew Rochford is hosting the conference at Carson Conference Centre, 535 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000.
Within a decade, voluntary assisted dying laws have been passed in every Australian state and territory. Even so, significant barriers remain, including workforce shortages, obstruction by some health services, restrictive processes and federal legal barriers.
Go Gentle Australia says thousands of Australians now access VAD each year, shifting attention from passing laws to making sure eligible people can get safe, equitable and high-quality care.
Conference co-convenor and Go Gentle Australia CEO Dr Linda Swan said: “Passing VAD laws was only ever the first step. We must now ensure every eligible person who wants this choice can access high-quality VAD care, regardless of where they live or who provides their care.”
Organisers describe VADCON as the largest gathering of its kind in the world. They also say it is the only conference in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand dedicated solely to voluntary assisted dying.
Delegates include VAD practitioners, health professionals across all jurisdictions, and leaders from Palliative Care Australia, Health NZ, MND Australia, Ageing Australia, Dementia Australia and the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation.
National survey, workforce and care principles
Program items include policy and clinical debates on integrating VAD and palliative care, workforce sustainability, eligibility for people with multiple serious conditions, VAD and dementia, grief and bereavement, and tackling stigma.
Another focus is the 2026 National VAD Survey, which Go Gentle Australia says is revealing fresh insights into Australians’ experiences of and attitudes towards VAD.
The conference is also launching the inaugural VAD Workforce Survey. It examines workforce capacity, remuneration, professional support and sustainability.
New Quality Care Principles are being introduced as well. Organisers say they provide a framework for integrated, high-quality VAD care, including support for families and carers after death.
A keynote address by medical oncologist, Fulbright scholar and award-winning writer Dr Ranjana Srivastava OAM is titled “Between Hope and Humility: An Oncologist’s Reflections on VAD”.
Monday, 19 October 2026 evening’s program includes the 2026 Voluntary Assisted Dying Awards, which celebrate excellence in VAD care, advocacy and research.
Dr Swan said: “We have an opportunity to build on a decade of reform by tackling the barriers that remain and making VAD a fully integrated part of end-of-life care. That will take collaboration between clinicians, policymakers, researchers and health services.”
