New End-of-Life Pathway: Helping older Australians die at home with dignity

Many older Australians prefer to spend their final months at home, surrounded by loved ones, but often need more support to make that possible.

The new End-of-Life Pathway, introduced under the new Aged Care Act, intends to do just that – reflecting the strong community preference for greater access to in-home palliative care and support during the final stages of life.

From 1 November 2025, a new End-of-Life Pathway will be available through the Support at Home program, offering short-term, flexible funding to help older Australians receive care in the comfort of their own homes during their final months.

Eligible participants – those aged 65 and over, or 50+ if they are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, or homeless or at risk of homelessness – can access up to $25,000 over a 12-week period, with up to 16 weeks to use the funds. This funding supports in-home aged care services tailored to individual needs and designed to complement any existing palliative care services.

Services may include:

• personal care
• domestic assistance
• general nursing
• assistive technology (if required).

This pathway gives older people and their families greater choice and control, helping them spend their final weeks with dignity, surrounded by loved ones, in a familiar and supportive environment.

To access the End-of-Life Pathway, older people must receive a referral from a GP, nurse practitioner, or non-GP specialist.

To refer a patient, you must:

• Confirm a life expectancy of 3 months or less
• Complete an Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status (AKPS) score of 40 or less (The AKPS is a measure of an individual’s overall performance status or ability their daily activities).
• Fill out the End-of-Life Pathway Referral Form (available from 1 November)
• Give the completed forms to the patient or their supports to submit to their provider (if already receiving My Aged Care services) OR lodge it via GP e-Referral and give a copy to the patient/carer.
• Checklist

The referring clinician will continue to play an important role in the patient’s care, including participation in case conferencing and supporting a holistic delivery of care.

You can email any queries to askMBS@health.gov.au.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and health workers through the Support at Home service list.

Support is available to help people take part in cultural and community commitments, including transport where needed.

A range of resources and training tools are also available to help health and aged care workers provide culturally safe and respectful palliative care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

• Palliative Care Resources – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
• gwandalanpalliativecare.com.au
• pepaeducation.com/ipepa
• caringathomeproject.com.au/support-for-carers-and-families/resources-for-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-families
• Support at Home program – Booklet for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and carers (Aus Gov)

Join Healthy North Coast’s Aged Care Reform Webinar to learn more about the End-of-Life Pathway and broader aged care reforms on Wednesday 29 October 2025.

• Register here

• Support at Home service list
• Support at Home program – End-of-Life Pathway (Aus Gov)
• Support at Home program – Booklet for older people, families and carers (Aus Gov)