Thousands Miss Out on Essential Support
On 1 April, Palliative Care Australia (PCA), together with Parliamentary Friends of Palliative Care co-convenors Senator Kerrynne Liddle and Senator Raff Ciccone, gathered advocates, clinicians, and peak bodies at Parliament House. They highlighted the critical support gaps affecting younger Australians with life-limiting illnesses and called for urgent reforms.
PCA CEO Camilla Rowland stated that age should not determine the level of care and support someone receives at the end of life. She said, “People under 65 are falling between the cracks of the NDIS, aged care and health systems.”
Up to 10,000 Australians under 65, including children and those in remote areas, are unable to access the support needed to stay at home. This lack of support leads to extended hospital stays or early entry into residential care, which is distressing for individuals and families.
Fiona Hassmann from the Peace of Mind Foundation gave a keynote address focusing on the human impact. She shared her experience supporting her partner through terminal illness. Hassmann said, “There is no system built for people under 65 who are dying; the safety net is not a net at all, it is a series of gaps.”
PCA Chair Dr. Peter Allcroft emphasised that this is not a marginal issue but a systemic failure causing real harm to individuals and families. He stated, “Each year, thousands of Australians with advanced life-limiting illness go without the practical support they need, like personal care and help at home.”
Call for Coordinated Action
The event’s speakers emphasised the need for national leadership and better coordination between disability and palliative care services. They advocated for jointly funded trials to fill these gaps and ensure that younger Australians can access the care they need.
This issue is expected to be addressed in the upcoming National Palliative Care Strategy Implementation Plan. The plan aims to provide a clear pathway for support at home for those who do not qualify for the NDIS or aged care systems.
Camilla Rowland stressed that without coordinated national action, many individuals face extended hospital stays or are forced into residential care, placing additional pressure on the health system.
Speakers highlighted ongoing challenges such as delays in accessing support, inconsistent NDIS decisions, and confusion about which system is responsible for care. They called for a clear commitment by all governments to prioritise filling this service gap.
Last updated: 4 April 2026, 8:00 pm
