The Northern Territory government is taking steps to ensure that all Territorians have the right to make decisions about their end-of-life care, similar to other Australians.

To achieve this, a community consultation process will begin to develop a framework for Voluntary Assisted Dying (VAD).

The aim is to meet the needs of our community members and make sure care is easy to access and suitable for everyone.

The community consultations will be led by co-chairs, the Hon Vicki O'Halloran AO CVO and Duncan McConnel SC.

"Territorians deserve to have a say on whether or not they want these laws in the Territory, and if so, how they want it to work," NT chief minister Natasha Fyles said.

"The VAD framework will make safety, ethics, and appropriate safeguards to protect individuals and practitioners a priority."

Assisting them will be an advisory panel, whose members include Dr Christine Sanderson, Dr Devaki Monani, Dr Geetanjali Lamba, Dr Kane Vellar, Mrs Susan Shearer, Mrs Ursula Raymond, Mrs Wendy Morton.

As part of the consultation process, the co-chairs and advisory panel will conduct town hall meetings in various locations, including Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Jabiru, Nhulunbuy, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs, and surrounding regions, kicking off in October this year.

"The expert panel will ensure all voices are heard from all regions of the Territory, as well as consider what the Northern Territory can learn from other jurisdictions, including overseas," said Ms Fyles.

The independent panel's role is to report to the Chief Minister, guided by specific terms of reference that require them to actively listen to the views of the community.

To ensure broad public input, multiple avenues will be available for people to express their opinions, including participating in an online survey, submitting written comments, and attending meetings with community groups and stakeholders.

The panel will carefully consider these submissions when making recommendations to the government.

Their aim is to create a VAD framework that incorporates the necessary safeguards expected by all Territorians.

A comprehensive report detailing the findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Chief Minister by July 2024.

Additional information about the VAD framework can be found on the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet's website.