Terminally ill Australians will be able to end their lives with the help of a doctor after the state of Victoria passed historic assisted dying legislation.

Under the new law — a first for Australia — people living in Victoria who have been deemed terminally ill will be able to ask their doctor for access to a dose of lethal drugs to end their lives starting June 19.

According to local newspaper The Age, a strict eligibility criteria will apply. Only adults ages 18 and over who have six months or less to live and can give informed consent will be given access to the cocktail of lethal drugs.

Similar physician-assisted suicide comes into effect in New Jersey on Aug. 1 and will also apply to people with a prognosis of six months or less to live.

In New York, the Medical Aid in Dying Act is under consideration by lawmakers in Albany.