Who can refer someone to palliative care?

Australia · 29 August 2026 · 4 min read · Reviewed by Dr Kane Treble

A GP, medical specialist or other health provider can usually refer someone to palliative care.

A GP, medical specialist or other health provider can usually refer someone to palliative care. In some states and territories, the person or a family member may also be able to self-refer, but this depends on the service.

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.

Common referrers

The Australian Government says palliative care can be accessed through referral from a local doctor, medical specialist or other health provider. Palliative Care Australia also says access is usually through referral from a GP, specialist or other health provider.

People who may be able to refer include:

GP
hospital doctor
cancer specialist
heart, lung, kidney, liver, neurology or geriatric specialist
community nurse
residential aged care GP or nurse
Aboriginal health worker or Aboriginal health service, depending on local pathways
other health professional involved in the person's care

Some services have their own referral forms and rules. If a health worker is unsure how to refer, they can contact the local palliative care service or use the National Palliative Care Service Directory to find the right service.

Can a family member ask for a referral?

Yes. A family member or carer can ask the GP, specialist or hospital team for a referral. The person who is unwell should be involved if they can make decisions and wants to be involved.

You might say:

"We are struggling with symptoms and care at home. Can you refer us to palliative care?"

Or:

"We have been told this illness is life-limiting. Can palliative care be involved now?"

If the person does not want a referral, ask what worries them about it. They may think palliative care means treatment will stop or death is only days away. The doctor can explain what the service would actually do.

Can someone self-refer?

Sometimes. The Australian Government says that in some states and territories, a person or family member may be able to self-refer to palliative care services. This is not the same everywhere.

If you want to self-refer, contact the local service and ask:

Do you accept self-referrals?
Do you need a GP or specialist referral as well?
What information do you need?
How urgent can this be triaged?
Who should we call after hours while waiting?

Even if self-referral is possible, it is still useful to involve the GP or specialist because they know the diagnosis, medicines and recent test results.

What makes a referral more useful

A good referral should explain the person's illness, current problems and what help is needed. This may include pain, breathlessness, nausea, fatigue, confusion, falls, carer stress, home equipment, future planning or repeated hospital visits.

Ask the referrer to include:

diagnosis and stage of illness
recent hospital discharge summaries
current medicines
allergies
main symptoms
what treatments are still being given
the person's wishes, if known
carer concerns
urgency

If the person is in hospital, ask for referral before discharge. It is much harder for families when someone goes home on Friday afternoon with no clear support or after-hours contact.

What if the referral is declined or delayed?

Ask why and what happens next. Sometimes a specialist palliative care service may decide the person's needs can be managed by the GP, specialist or community nurses for now. Sometimes there is a waiting list.

Ask:

Who is responsible for symptom control while we wait?
What should we do if symptoms worsen?
Can the referral be marked urgent?
Can a nurse, social worker or occupational therapist help now?
Can the referral be sent to another service?
Can the GP call the palliative care team for advice?

If the person is deteriorating quickly, say that clearly.

When to get help now

If symptoms are severe or changing quickly, contact the GP, specialist, hospital team, community nurse or palliative care service and explain that care is needed urgently.

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