About PCA

Palliative Care Australia (PCA) is the national peak body for palliative care.

Palliative Care Australia represents all those who work towards high quality palliative care for all Australians who need it. Working closely with consumers, our Member Organisations and the palliative care workforce, we aim to improve access to, and promote the need for, palliative care.

PCA believes high quality palliative care should be available and accessible to people living with a life-limiting illness when and where they need it. PCA supports the health, aged care and community sector workforce who all have a role in providing palliative care to people with a life-limiting illness and supporting carers and loved ones.

PCA support the work of specialist palliative care teams who provide care and support for people with more complex symptoms and who educate and support other professionals in their care of people with life-limiting illness.

Palliative Care Australia launched in 1998, developing from the Australian Association for Hospice and Palliative Care Inc which started in 1991.

What does the ‘orange heart’ represent?

The ‘orange heart’ has been seen and used universally as a symbol for care and friendship. It is seen as being ‘heart-warming and encouraging’ and used as a symbol of ‘always being there for me’ – values that connect with palliative care.

Since 2024 it has been seen as the symbol of the palliative care sector.

The eight ‘sparks’ coming from the heart give it a sense of motion, a beating heart that points to the life palliative care supports; the sparks also represent Australia’s eight states and territories and the role we all play in the delivery of palliative care.

Palliative Care Australia and our members around the country feel that the orange heart captures and represents the warmth and spirit of the palliative care sector, the connection that health professionals and volunteers share with patients and families and the close bonds that form during each person’s unique palliative care journey.

You can purchase orange heart lapel pins to show your support HERE.

Palliative Care Australia Board

To learn more about Palliative Care Australia’s Board Directors, Past Presidents and Chairs, and PCA’s Organisational Structure, please see Governance.

Members

Palliative Care Australia represents our groups and all Australians who believe in quality end of life care.

To view our list of members, visit our Members Page. To learn more about becoming a Member of Palliative Care Australia email pca@palliativecare.org.au

National Expert Advisory Panel

Palliative Care Australia receives input from experts who form the National Expert Advisory Panel, to advise our strategic and policy work. NEAP members will provide PCA with a diverse range of expertise to ensure PCA’s policy responses are robust and comprehensive.