The Federal Budget in May 2024 is a significant opportunity for the palliative care sector to influence Australia’s next round of health and care reforms.

As the sector’s voice to government, over the last 18 months Palliative Care Australia (PCA) has been able to help shape some significant changes aimed at increasing access to quality of life at the end of life.

PCA’s 2024 Federal Budget Submission offers another opportunity for palliative care to progress, deepen and extend the current reform agenda across the health, aged care, disability, and cancer sectors.

The full detail of our submission will be published to the PCA website in late January. Draft copies have already been shared with key areas of the Australian Government as various ministers consider their priorities over summer ahead to the budget in May.

In broad terms, PCA’s submission centres on practical proposals to improve care at home for people under and over 65 years with life-limiting illnesses. Every dollar invested in palliative care at home delivers a 100% return on investment, keeping people out of hospital and providing quality of life for people with life-limiting illnesses, their families and carers.

Under 65s with disabilities and life limiting illnesses

This year PCA members in every State and Territory have reported increasing numbers of people under 65 who have disabilities linked to a life-limiting illness but have been unable to access to the daily living supports they need to remain comfortably at home at the end of life.

Without that support, those affected often end up in hospital unnecessarily, unless they are able to fund basic services out of their own pocket or rely on loved ones (including children and young people) to step up and carry the load of caring.  The ripple effects have a profound impact on the people affected and their families.

Given recent discussions at National Cabinet, it is reassuring to know that Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments are aware of this growing problem. However, in the absence of firm solutions, vulnerable people will continue to miss out on vital services.

At the centre of PCA’s Budget Submission is a new, interim program of foundational support for people under 65 who have a disability associated with a life-limiting illness and need support to remain at home, but who cannot get support from the NDIS.

Over 65s with life limiting illnesses

Our Budget Submission also provides solutions to extend palliative care at home for people over 65 who are receiving aged care services.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety argued that palliative care must be core business in aged care. Current reforms are beginning to make this a reality, but the pace of change must be sustained and deepened.

PCA’s Budget Submission details proposals to ensure people over 65 receive timely palliative care in their own ‘family’ home or in a home like residential facility.

In relation to residential aged care, PCA believes it is critical that all residents receive a palliative care assessment on entry. Further, if a resident is classified as palliative, this status should be retained for the duration of that person’s care, and appropriate palliative care planning provided. The continuation of the national Comprehensive Palliative Care in Aged Care Measure, which has achieved early success, could sit alongside this important next reform.

For people able to receive aged care in their home, the Australian Government’s new Support at Home program, due to commence in 2025, must be designed to ensure people can access palliative care and functional support that is responsive to their changing needs. Important to this is not limiting access to at-home palliative care to those with a life expectancy of less than three months or those who are bed-bound.

Early access to palliative care saves the health system money by reducing avoidable hospitalisations. It improves quality of life and gives people, and their families and communities time to plan and coordinate.

Palliative care is everybody's business

Life-limiting illnesses are the leading cause of death in Australia.  When asked, most Australians say they would prefer to spend their final months and weeks at home. That is currently out for reach for most. PCA’s proposals would make it possible for many more people and limit the ripple effects being felt across our community now by limited or restricted access to palliative care.

We look forward to sharing our full 2024 Federal Budget Submission with you in late January so that you can add your voice to our advocacy efforts.