Each year, National Palliative Care Week (10-16 May) asks Australians to open one of the most sensitive yet important conversations of their lives when needed.
This year’s theme, ‘Getting to the Heart of It,’ is a call to ask the big questions about end-of-life care, and to find the courage to answer them honestly.
Most of us will face this conversation one day, whether for a parent, a partner, or someone else we love dearly. It rarely feels like the right time to bring it up. But those who have walked this path will often say the same thing: They only wished they’d talked sooner. Not because it’s easy, but because it matters – deeply, lastingly, and in ways that stay with a family long after.
What Is Palliative Care?
Palliative care is specialised support for people living with a life-limiting illness. Its focus is not on curing illness, but on improving quality of life – managing pain and symptoms, supporting emotional and psychological wellbeing, and helping people live as comfortably and meaningfully as possible.
A common misconception is that palliative care is only for the very final days of life. In reality, it can begin much earlier, sitting alongside other treatments and continuing for months or even years. It supports not just the person who is unwell, but also their family, carers, and loved ones.
As Palliative Care Australia beautifully articulates (2026), “Palliative care is about helping people with a life-limiting illness live as well as possible, for as long as possible.”
In Australia, more than 450 people will die from a life-limiting illness every single day. Many of them could benefit from palliative care, yet too many still miss out, or receive support only when it’s too late.
Following the Australian Government’s recent 2026-2027 budget announcement, the End-of-Life Pathway is now extended to provide additional palliative care for those who need it, which we’ll explore in detail further below.
What Is the End-of-Life Pathway?
The End-of-Life Pathway is a dedicated, high-priority funding stream within Australia’s Support at Home program, which replaced the former Home Care Packages system from 1 November 2025.
It is specifically designed for older Australians who have been given a life expectancy of three months or less, and who wish to spend that time at home – rather than in hospital or a hospice setting. This reflects a strong and consistent community preference: most Australians, when asked, say they would rather be at home surrounded by familiar comforts and the people they love.
Key things to know about the funding and support available for the End-of-Life Pathway:
- $25,000 in government funding available per person.
- 12–16 weeks of support: Funding is capped at 12 weeks, but can be extended to 16 weeks if needed – if the recipient lives past this 16-week period, then they’ll revert back to allocated funding through Support at Home.
- 100% of clinical care costs covered by the government.
Unlike standard aged care funding, which can involve lengthy waiting lists, the End-of-Life Pathway is built for speed. When time is critical, the system is designed to respond quickly – getting care in place as soon as possible.
Which Services Does the End-of-Life Pathway Cover?
The pathway funds a broad range of in-home supports, tailored to the individual’s needs and wishes. These can include:
- Clinical Care (fully funded by the government): Nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other medical support delivered at home – with no out-of-pocket cost to you.
- Personal Care: Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, and day-to-day personal needs.
- Everyday Living Support: Help with cleaning, shopping, meal preparation, and household tasks.
- Emotional and Psychological Support: Access to counselling, social work, and wellbeing services for both the individual and their family.
The goal is to provide holistic, person-centred care that supports physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, and dignity – on the individual’s own terms, in their own home. We’ve written a separate guide on making the most of your Support at Home funds, which pairs well with this one for families navigating the broader system.
Who Is Eligible for the End-of-Life Pathway?
To access the End-of-Life Pathway, a person must:
- Be an older Australian (typically 65 and over, or 50 and over for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- Have a confirmed diagnosis from a doctor or nurse practitioner indicating a life expectancy of three months or less
- Have an Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status (AKPS) score of 40 or below
- Wish to receive care at home rather than in a clinical setting
Importantly, you do not need to already be enrolled in the Support at Home program to access the pathway. Existing participants can request an urgent Support Plan Review to transition across.
How Do You Access the End-of-Life Pathway?
The process involves a few straightforward steps:
- Speak with your GP or nurse practitioner, who will complete the End-of-Life Pathway form with you
- The completed form is submitted to My Aged Care (online or by calling 1800 200 422)
- An aged care assessor reviews the application and confirms eligibility
- You receive a Notice of Decision and a support plan is created in partnership with your care team
- Your chosen provider accepts the referral and begins coordinating care
Your existing aged care provider, if you have one, will be encouraged to continue providing your care – ensuring continuity for you and your family at a time when stability matters most.
National Palliative Care Week 2026: Getting to the Heart of It
This year’s campaign, running from 10–16 May 2026 and led by Palliative Care Australia, carries the theme: Getting to the heart of it: Big Questions. Real Answers.
The campaign encourages every Australian to have earlier, more open conversations about palliative and end-of-life care – with family, with doctors, and with the people who matter most to them. The three focus areas this year are:
- Living well, your way
- Conversation changes everything
- The heart of care
Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, and as the population ages, the need for compassionate, well-resourced end-of-life care has never been greater. The End-of-Life Pathway is a meaningful step in the right direction but it only works if families know it exists, and of course, understand how to access it.
That’s especially why conversations like this one are so important.
CareAbout Can Help You Access the End-of-Life Pathway
Finding a trusted provider who can accept End-of-Life Pathway funding is one of the most important, and one of the most difficult, steps families face. Not every aged care provider is equipped to support this pathway, and availability varies across the country.
CareAbout has partnered with a carefully selected network of 18 hubs across Australia that are experienced in palliative and end-of-life care, and are able to accept End-of-Life Pathway funding. We have at least one available provider in each of the following states: New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
Our team can help you or your loved one:
- Understand whether the End-of-Life Pathway is right for your situation
- Find a suitable provider in your state who accepts this funding
- Navigate the application process with My Aged Care
- Coordinate the transition to in-home palliative care quickly and with minimal stress
We know that when time matters, every day counts. Our advisers are here to help you move quickly and confidently.
Starting the Conversation
If you have a loved one who is nearing the end of their life, or if you are thinking ahead for yourself, we encourage you to start the conversation now. Talk to your GP. Talk to your family. Ask the big questions.
The End-of-Life Pathway exists so that more Australians can choose where they spend their final months – at home, with dignity, with the people they love. CareAbout is here to help make that possible.
For more information about National Palliative Care Week 2026, visit palliativecare.org.au. To access the End-of-Life Pathway, contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. This blog was published during National Palliative Care Week, 10–16 May 2026.
