We've just been told the illness is terminal. What happens next?

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

Being told an illness is terminal means the treating doctor believes it cannot be cured and is likely to cause the person's death.

Being told an illness is terminal means the treating doctor believes it cannot be cured and is likely to cause the person's death. What happens next is usually a mix of medical review, symptom support, decisions about treatment, palliative care, practical planning and emotional support.

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.

You do not have to understand everything at once

People often remember very little after hearing the word "terminal". Shock, fear, numbness, anger and disbelief are common. Healthdirect says everyone reacts differently and some people may live for months or years, while others may not.

It is reasonable to ask for another appointment soon. Bring someone trusted if the person wants that. Ask for information in plain language and write down the answers.

Questions to ask soon

Useful questions include:

What does terminal mean in this person's situation?
Is any treatment still possible, and what is it trying to achieve?
What symptoms should we expect?
What symptoms need urgent help?
Who is the main doctor now?
Should palliative care be involved?
Who do we call after hours?
Are there decisions that need to be made soon?
Is there time to seek a second opinion?

Some people want an estimate of time. Others do not. If the person wants to know, ask the doctor to explain the likely range and what makes prediction uncertain.

Treatment may still continue

Terminal does not always mean all treatment stops today. Some treatments may still aim to slow the illness, ease symptoms, prevent complications or help the person stay comfortable. Other treatments may no longer help enough to be worth the side effects or hospital time.

Ask the treating team to explain the aim, likely benefit and burden of each treatment. The person can accept, refuse or stop particular treatments if they have decision-making capacity. If they cannot make decisions later, the right substitute decision-maker and any advance care directive may guide care. The rules vary between states and territories.

Ask about palliative care early

Palliative care can help with pain, breathlessness, nausea, tiredness, anxiety, family conversations, home care, equipment and planning. It can be given at home, in hospital, in a palliative care unit, in hospice or in residential aged care.

You can ask the GP, specialist or hospital team for a referral. Palliative care can often happen while other treatment continues.

Practical things to organise

Do not try to organise everything in one day. Start with the things that would cause problems if no one knew the person's wishes.

Consider:

who the person wants involved in information and decisions
an advance care plan or advance care directive
who would make medical decisions if the person could not
a will and enduring power of attorney
superannuation and insurance nominations
Centrelink or other payments
work leave or carer support
home equipment and transport
passwords and important documents
funeral wishes, if the person wants to talk about this

Some of these tasks need legal or financial advice. The palliative care social worker, hospital social worker, GP or Cancer Council may help you find the right service.

Support for family and carers

Carers may need help with work, money, respite, counselling and practical care. Carer Gateway is a national Australian Government service for carers. Services Australia may provide Carer Payment or Carer Allowance if eligibility rules are met.

If the main carer has to stop working or reduce hours, get advice early. Payment claims can take time and may need medical forms.

If the person wants to die at home

Ask early whether home care is possible. It depends on symptoms, the home, local services and carer support. A home death plan should include after-hours contacts, medicines, equipment, resuscitation wishes and what to do after death.

Home is not always possible or safest. A person can still have good palliative care in hospital, hospice, a palliative care unit or aged care.

When to get help now

Contact the doctor, specialist, palliative care team or nurse if symptoms are new, severe, worsening or frightening.

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.

If the person is thinking about suicide or feels at risk of harming themselves, call 000 if there is immediate danger. You can also call Lifeline on 13 11 14.