WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO VICTORIA'S EUTHANASIA LAWS?

* Doctors able to raise the issue of voluntary assisted dying with terminally ill patients, previously they could not

* Health practitioners who conscientiously object to assisted dying required to provide a minimum amount of information to patients

* Life expectancy access rule expanded from six to 12 months for all conditions

* Remove requirement for a third medical assessment for neurodegenerative patients, often home or bed-bound at the time of application, given six to 12 months to live

* Reduce time between the first and second access request from nine to five days

* Amend Australian citizenship, permanent residency and Victorian residency requirements

* Simplify permit processes

* Add exemption process for current interpreter requirements

WHY ARE THE CHANGES BEING MADE?

* The laws, which passed parliament in 2017 and came into force in 2019, were reviewed after five years

* The review found improvements were needed for health practitioners to help guide patients

WILL THE REFORMS PASS PARLIAMENT?

* The proposed changes will first go to consultation with stakeholder groups

* Once the amendments are drafted, they will go to a vote in parliament

* Premier Jacinta Allan's Labor government will allow its MPs to make a conscience vote on the laws, as happened when they first passed parliament in 2017

*  The coalition opposition is waiting to see the detail of the legislation but flagged it would also allow a conscience vote

* This means the laws could face challenges getting through

WHO CAN CURRENTLY APPLY FOR ASSISTED DYING?

* Adults with a progressive, advanced terminal illness and less than six months to live or within 12 months for neurodegenerative diseases

* Suffering must be deemed "intolerable"

* They must be of sound mind

* Must have lived in Victoria for at least 12 months and be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

HOW DOES THE SYSTEM WORK NOW?

* Patients must make three, clear requests

* Patients will be assessed by two experienced doctors, including at least one specialist

* Those approved will be granted permits for lethal medications, which must be self-administered

* A permit will be given for doctors to administer medication but only where the patient is physically unable

* Only chemists at The Alfred Hospital can prepare the medication

* Doctors do not have to be present when patients administer medication

* The process to apply and receive medication will take at least 10 days

* Unused lethal medication must be returned within 15 days of death

* An independent review board oversees each step of the process

* The coroner is notified of each death and death certificates record "voluntary assisted dying"

PENALTIES FOR MISUSE

* If someone breaches the self-administration permit, they face potential life imprisonment

* Anyone who induces a person to request assisted dying faces up to five years' jail and substantial fines

* Doctors who suggest the assisted dying scheme to patients face a professional misconduct investigation

* Since 2019, 1282 Victorians have accessed voluntary assisted dying services

* There have been no reports of ineligible people getting access to the scheme

Lifeline 13 11 14

beyondblue 1300 22 4636