I am a Patient

I am a Patient

Palliative Care Australia is the national peak body for palliative care.
What is Palliative Care?

National Palliative Care Service Directory

Palliative care will help you manage your illness, particularly pain and symptoms so you can continue to live life as well as you can while dealing with your illness. Palliative care can help at any time from a diagnosis of a life-limiting illness and is available to people of all ages. Sometimes people receive palliative care while they are also accessing curative treatment for their illness. Palliative care will help you manage the journey of a life-limiting illness to maximise your quality of life until death. The amount of time on this journey will vary from person to person. Palliative care will also support your loved ones in their caring role and also in grief and bereavement.

For more information about paediatric palliative care, click here.

How do I get it?

Health professionals including General Practitioners and Allied Health Practitioners can provide a level of palliative care.  If your symptoms become complex, you may benefit from a referral to a Specialist Palliative Care Service. 

To find a service in your local area please visit the National Palliative Care Service Directory. 

Palliative care is available to anyone with a life-limiting illness, not just cancer patients. People living with dementia, chronic conditions or degenerative conditions can access palliative care. 

How much does it cost? and who provides it?

Most palliative care services are free, but there may be some costs associated with the care that you receive. 

Palliative care is multidisciplinary team care – so care is shared between a range of providers from palliative medicine physicians and specialist palliative care nurses to General Practitioners,  other nurses, allied health professionals, social workers and other professionals such as pharmacists and palliative care volunteers. 

There are a lot of common misconceptions about palliative care. Click here to find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions. 

Who will help my family when I am gone?

Palliative care also supports carers and family members. There are a number of support services for people who are grieving. There is information in the ‘I am a Carer’ section which will help your carer/s find information to help them.

For more information about palliative care and what it means to you, click on the links below. These pages are also available to download.

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We recognise and acknowledge those who are working through Sorry Business, Sad News, grief and bereavement and offer our condolences and support.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this website may contain images, videos and voices of people who have passed on. Some of the content and topics covered might also cause distress. You are welcome here, and we want you to feel safe and take care.

If you find that you need support please reach out to 13YARN on 13 92 76, Grief Australia, Grief Line on 1300 845 745, or Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Palliative Care Australia is located in Canberra. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the surrounding land and waters, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri Peoples and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We extend that same respect and acknowledge the continuing cultures and contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across Australia.

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