How do I actually get palliative care?

Australia · 29 August 2026 · 5 min read · Reviewed by Dr Kane Treble

The most common way to get palliative care is to ask the person's GP, specialist, hospital team, community nurse or other health provider for a referral.

The most common way to get palliative care is to ask the person's GP, specialist, hospital team, community nurse or other health provider for a referral. In some states and territories, a person or family member may also be able to contact a palliative care service directly.

General information: This page gives general information for people in Australia. It cannot tell you exactly what is happening in one person's situation. If you have concerns about a symptom, medicine, treatment decision or change in someone's condition, contact their doctor, palliative care team, nurse or other treating health professional.

Ask directly

You can ask:

"Can you refer us to palliative care?"

Or:

"Would palliative care help with symptoms, home support or planning?"

You do not have to wait for a doctor to use the word first. The Australian Government says palliative care can be accessed through a referral from a GP, medical specialist or other health provider. Palliative care is not only for cancer. It can be used for life-limiting illnesses such as advanced heart, lung, kidney or liver disease, dementia, motor neurone disease and other serious conditions.

Who to ask

Start with whoever is already involved in the person's care:

GP
cancer specialist, heart specialist, lung specialist, kidney specialist or other medical specialist
hospital ward doctor
hospital discharge planner
community nurse
residential aged care nurse or GP
Aboriginal health worker or Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, if involved
allied health worker who knows the person's situation

If the person is in hospital, ask before discharge. Say clearly if you are worried about managing at home.

What information may be needed

A referral may ask for:

the diagnosis
current symptoms
medicines
recent hospital stays
what care is already in place
whether the person is at home, in hospital or in aged care
what the person wants help with
carer details and concerns

The palliative care service may then triage the referral. This means they decide how urgent it is and what type of care is needed.

Finding a service

Palliative Care Australia's National Palliative Care Service Directory lists specialist palliative care services and some general palliative care providers. The Australian Government also says your doctor, community health centre or local hospital can help with information about services in your area.

Access can vary by location. Rural and remote areas may have fewer services or more telehealth support. If the first service you call is not the right one, ask where to call next.

What if the person is told they are "not ready"?

Sometimes a service may say the person does not need specialist palliative care yet. That does not mean no care is available. The GP, specialist, community nurse or aged care team may still provide palliative care support.

Ask:

What needs to change for a specialist palliative care referral?
Who is managing symptoms now?
Who do we call after hours?
Can we be referred for social work, equipment or carer support?
Can the referral be reviewed if things worsen?

If symptoms are hard to control, hospital visits are increasing, or the carer cannot cope, ask for the referral to be reviewed.

What if care is needed urgently?

If someone is at home and symptoms are severe, call the GP, specialist rooms, community nurse, palliative care service or the hospital team that knows them. If they have no team, call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for health advice and help finding services.

If the person is already linked with a palliative care service, use the after-hours number they gave you.

Costs

Many palliative care services in the public health system are free, but costs can vary. There may be costs for medicines, equipment, private services, aged care services, transport or some allied health care. Ask the service what is covered and what is not.

If the person is older, My Aged Care may be relevant for home support. If they have a disability, the NDIS may be relevant if they are already eligible. If a carer needs support, Carer Gateway may help.

When to get help now

Ask for urgent medical advice if pain, breathlessness, agitation, vomiting, bleeding, confusion or another symptom is severe, new or worsening.

Call 000 for a life-threatening emergency, such as severe breathing distress, severe uncontrolled bleeding, a sudden collapse without an expected death plan, a major injury, or danger in the home.