Most people hope to stay in their own home, where they can be close to loved ones and feel at peace, especially as life draws to a close.
Under the Australian Government’s new Support at Home Program, which commenced on 1 November 2025, the End-of-Life Pathway is now available. This pathway provides fast-tracked, additional help so you can be cared for at home with dignity.
Who Is Eligible for the End-of-Life Pathway?
The End-of-Life Pathway supports older Australians who have been medically assessed as having about three months or less to live and who choose to remain at home.
To be eligible, you generally need to:
- Be 65 years or over, or 50 years or over if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
- Have a confirmed life expectancy of three months or less
- Be in bed more than 50% of the time (which can also mean spending most of the day in a chair)
- Want to receive your care at home rather than in hospital or residential care.
A doctor or nurse practitioner must complete the national End-of-Life Pathway form to confirm these criteria and support your application.
How the End-of-Life Pathway Works, And How to Access It?
How Do You Apply for the End-of-Life Pathway?
First, a doctor or nurse practitioner completes an End-of-Life Pathway form, confirming your prognosis and functional needs. This form is available through My Aged Care.
If you’re already receiving Support at Home services, your provider can:
- Use the completed End-of-Life Pathway form, and;
- Request an urgent Support Plan Review to activate the pathway quickly.
If you’re yet to apply for the Support at Home program, your GP, nurse practitioner or representative can request a high-priority End-of-Life assessment by simply:
- Submitting the form online using the Apply online tool on My Aged Care
- Calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
- Visiting an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia service centre
You can be referred for this high-priority assessment even if you have never received Support at Home before (the End-of-Life Pathway is open to both new and existing participants).
An aged care assessor then reviews the form and confirms your eligibility so services can start as soon as possible.
How Long Does This Support Last, And How Is It Funded?
The End-of-Life Pathway provides a one-off pool of funding that is intended to cover roughly the last three months of life at home.
| Funding aspect | What this means for you |
|---|---|
| Total budget | $25,000 End-of-Life funding |
| Period | 12 weeks of End-of-Life support |
| Maximum timeframe | Up to 16 weeks in total, if funds remain |
| Other My Aged Care funding | Replaced by this End-of-Life budget during this period |
| Number of times you can use it | One-off; the End-of-Life Pathway can only be used once |
If you need care beyond this time, your provider can request a review so that ongoing support may continue under an appropriate Support at Home classification, rather than under the End-of-Life Pathway.
What End-of-Life Support Looks Like at Home
Care is tailored to your individual preferences and needs. It can include a mix of clinical supports, independence services, and everyday living assistance.
Clinical Supports
- Nursing care to manage pain and other symptoms, support medications, and monitor your health
- Allied health services such as occupational therapy or physiotherapy, where clinically appropriate
- Care coordination so your GP, nurses and allied health team work together and your wishes are respected
Independence Services
- Help with showering, dressing and other personal care
- Support with taking medications
- Transport to important medical appointments
- Respite care so family carers can rest while you continue receiving support
Everyday Living Support
- Cleaning and light housework
- Shopping and meal preparation
- Gardening or basic home tasks that help you remain safe and comfortable at home
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM)
Equipment and adjustments for comfort and safety, for example a hospital bed or oxygen, may be available through the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme where approved.
In some cases, you may also be able to access a separate budget for assistive technology under AT-HM, which can sit alongside your $25,000 End-of-Life funding. The exact supports depend on your assessment and the current AT-HM rules.
If you already have a Support at Home provider, you are encouraged to keep them if they can meet your needs under this pathway. Your Care Partner and yourself should both check that your current provider can deliver the level and type of End-of-Life support you require.
