New Measures Address Care Gaps
The 2026 Australian Government Budget introduces new measures to improve end-of-life care, particularly for those receiving care at home. Palliative Care Australia (PCA) has welcomed these changes, which aim to provide continuous support for patients surpassing the initial 16-week funding period.
Changes to the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway resolve a major issue where patients living beyond the funded period were shifted to a standard package, despite their ongoing high care needs. This adjustment is designed to ensure that care does not abruptly discontinue for those exceeding expected lifespans.
Simon Waring, Interim CEO of PCA, stated, "This change is a practical and welcome step that should give people, families, and providers greater confidence that support will not simply fall away when someone lives longer than expected."
Further Developments in Care Support
The Budget confirms that personal care provided through the Support at Home Programme will be reclassified as a clinical service from October. This reclassification will eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for services such as showering, dressing, and medication management at home.
PCA National Policy Director Josh Fear emphasised the impact of this reclassification, saying, "This sensible and practical change will make a real difference for many people with life-limiting illness receiving aged care at home."
For Australians under 65, changes to the NDIS are critical for those with terminal illnesses. PCA emphasises the need for these reforms to provide coordinated support, ensuring that people with disabilities linked to a terminal illness receive the necessary functional support.
The Budget also acknowledges the achievements of two Commonwealth-State/Territory initiatives, the Commonwealth Palliative Care in Aged Care measure and the Palliative Care Services Navigation Pilot, both concluding by 30th June. Additional funding for dementia care supports, including the expansion of the Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support program, has been welcomed by PCA.
Last updated: 13 May 2026, 10:20 pm
