How Choose the Right Palliative Care in Melbourne for Your Loved One

New Government End‑of‑Life Funding (Support at Home End‑of‑Life Pathway)

From 1 November 2025, older Australians can access a new Commonwealth Support at Home End‑of‑Life Pathway, which provides a one‑off budget of $25,000 for additional help to stay at home at the end of life. This funding is designed to sit alongside existing state‑funded palliative care and hospital services, not replace them.

How the $25,000 funding works

• Up to $25,000 is available per eligible person over a 12‑week period, with flexibility to continue up to 16 weeks if funds are not fully used.benetas+3

• The budget can be used for support‑at‑home services such as nursing, personal care, domestic assistance, respite, transport and other practical help approved under the national Support at Home program.racgp+3

• The funding is time‑limited and does not roll over once the end‑of‑life episode finishes.

You do not need to already be a Support at Home (or Home Care Package) client

Access to the End‑of‑Life Pathway does not require you to already have a Home Care Package (HCP) or Support at Home budget in place. People who are new to aged care at the end of life can be assessed and placed directly onto the End‑of‑Life Pathway so they can receive services quickly.

If someone is already receiving home care under Support at Home, their existing budget can be switched to the End‑of‑Life Pathway following a review so they can access the higher $25,000 allocation.

Call Luxe Care on 1300 674 886 to find out how we can help you today.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility is assessed through My Aged Care and a clinician:

• The person must be an older Australian who is eligible for aged care services at home.

• A GP or nurse practitioner needs to complete an End‑of‑Life Pathway form and certify that life expectancy is around three months or less.

• Clinical criteria such as an Australia‑modified Karnofsky Performance Score (AKPS) of 40 or less and means‑testing for some non‑clinical supports may apply.

Your palliative care team, GP, hospital discharge planner or home‑care provider can help you understand if your loved one might be eligible and support you through the referral and assessment process.

How this funding complements palliative care in Melbourne

In Victoria, specialist palliative care in the community and in hospital continues to be funded by the state government and delivered through local palliative care services and health services. The federal End‑of‑Life Pathway adds extra practical support at home – things like more frequent nursing visits, personal care and overnight support – so that more people can safely remain at home if that is their preference.

Private providers such as Luxe Care can work alongside public palliative care teams and GPs to deliver in‑home support funded through the $25,000 End‑of‑Life budget, as well as any additional privately funded services the family chooses.

When someone you love is living with a serious illness, choosing the right palliative care provider becomes one of the most important decisions you will make. Whether you are an adult child arranging care, a patient exploring options, or a hospital professional coordinating discharge, the goal is the same: comfort, dignity, and quality of life.

If you need immediate support, call Luxe Care on 1300 674 886 for compassionate, responsive assistance.

What Is Palliative Care and Who Is It For?

Palliative care is specialised medical and supportive care focused on improving comfort, dignity, and quality of life for people living with serious or life-limiting illness.

Importantly, palliative care is not limited to the final days of life—it can begin at diagnosis and be provided alongside active treatment.

When Should Palliative Care Begin?

Palliative care may be appropriate when a person:

• Has a life-limiting diagnosis

• Experiences complex pain or symptom management needs

• Requires additional support at home

• Is transitioning from hospital back into the community

Early involvement often leads to better symptom control and improved emotional support for both patients and families.

Who Can Access Palliative Care in Melbourne?

In Melbourne, palliative care services are available to:

• Older adults with advanced illness

• Patients with cancer and non-cancer diagnoses

• Individuals with neurological, cardiac, or respiratory conditions

• People who prefer to remain at home rather than in hospital

Referrals can come from GPs, hospital teams, specialists, or families seeking private support.

For a broader overview of palliative care standards in Australia, families and clinicians can refer to Palliative Care Australia.

How Do You Choose the Right Palliative Care Provider in Melbourne?

The right provider should combine clinical expertise, 24-hour availability, clear communication, and truly personalised care planning.

Clinical Experience and Qualifications

Luxe Care High-quality palliative care involves:

• Registered nurses experienced in complex care

• Clinicians trained in symptom and pain management

• Coordination with GPs and specialists

• Multidisciplinary support where required

Is 24-Hour Palliative Care Available in Melbourne?

Illness does not follow business hours. Access to 24-hour palliative care Melbourne families can rely on is critical.

Important questions include:

• Is there 24/7 on-call support?

• How quickly can a clinician attend in urgent situations?

• Is overnight care available if needed?

Timely response can prevent unnecessary hospital admissions and reduce distress during acute episodes.

Are Private Palliative Care Services in Melbourne the Right Choice?

While public services provide essential care, private palliative care services Melbourne families access may offer:

• Faster commencement of care

• Greater flexibility in visit frequency

• Extended in-home support hours

• Personalised care plans tailored to family preferences

Private services can be particularly valuable when urgent discharge is required—or when families want additional support beyond public system capacity.

Should You Choose Home-Based or Hospital Palliative Care?

For many families, home-based care provides comfort and familiarity during a vulnerable time. Home palliative care allows patients to remain in familiar surroundings—supported by loved ones and able to maintain routines where possible—while reducing hospital transfers.

However, hospital-based palliative care may still be necessary when:

• Symptoms become medically complex

• Acute interventions are required

• Specialist inpatient monitoring is needed

The Luxe Care work collaboratively with hospitals to ensure smooth transitions between settings.

What Questions Should Families and Referrers Ask Before Choosing a Provider?

Before making a decision, clarity is essential.Families, GPs, and discharge planners should ask:

• Is support available 24 hours a day?

• How quickly can care begin?

• Is there a dedicated care coordinator?

• How is communication managed with GPs and hospital teams?

• What are the expected costs?

• How are medications and symptom crises handled?

Hospital discharge planner or GP? Contact Luxe Care on 1300 674 886 to coordinate urgent in-home palliative care support.

How Quickly Can Palliative Care Be Arranged in Melbourne?

In urgent situations, speed matters.

Luxe Care can often arrange assessments within 24–48 hours—sometimes sooner. For hospital discharge planners, this means:

• Reduced discharge delays

• Immediate in-home clinical support

• Continuity of care

• Lower risk of readmission

Early coordination between hospital teams, GPs, and the care provider ensures a seamless transition to in home care.Call Luxe Care today on 1300 674 884 for a no obligation discussion about your options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there government funding to help us care for someone at home at the end of life?

Yes. Eligible older people can now access a one‑off federal End‑of‑Life Pathway budget of $25,000 for extra home care services over about 12 weeks, with some flexibility up to 16 weeks.agedcaredecisions+2

Do we have to already be on a Home Care Package or Support at Home to get this $25,000 funding?

No. You do not need to already be a Support at Home client to access the End‑of‑Life Pathway. An assessment through My Aged Care and a GP or nurse practitioner’s clinical form can place you directly onto the pathway if you are eligible.health.gov+6

Who organises access to the End‑of‑Life Pathway?

Usually your GP, nurse practitioner, hospital team, or home‑care provider will work with My Aged Care to arrange the assessment and clinical paperwork needed.www1.racgp.org+3

Is palliative care only for end-of-life?

No. Palliative care can begin at any stage of serious illness—and may be provided alongside curative or life-prolonging treatments.

Can I organise palliative care privately in Melbourne?

Yes. Families can directly contact private providers to arrange an assessment without waiting for public system allocation.

I

s 24-hour palliative care available in Melbourne?

Some providers offer 24-hour on-call support—and overnight in-home care depending on patient needs.

Do I need a GP referral for palliative care?

Referrals are common—but families may contact private providers directly. Coordination with the patient’s GP remains essential.

Compassionate Support When You Need It Most

Choosing palliative care is not just a clinical decision—it is a deeply personal one. Families deserve clarity, responsiveness, and genuine compassion during this time.

If you need immediate assistance arranging palliative care in Melbourne, speak with an experienced team that

understands both the emotional and clinical aspects of care.

Call Luxe Care now on 1300 674 886 for compassionate, 24-hour support.

Early guidance can make all the difference—for patients, families, and the healthcare professionals supporting them.