Palliative Care Australia
Services offered
Palliative care
Overview
A range of services are available to help people throughout the process of dying, and to support their family and friends.
You can also call Cancer Connect on 13 11 20 for information and support.
Carer services
- Carer Gateway: Practical information, resources, links to respite care and counselling for carers. 1800 422 737
- Young Carers: Support for young people under 25 caring for a family member or friend.
Counselling and mentoring services
- Australian Psychological Society: Use the “Find a Psychologist” search to look for a practitioner in your area.
- Beyond Blue: 24-hour telephone counselling service; online and email counselling available 7 days a week. 1300 22 4636
- Kids Helpline: Telephone and online counselling service and crisis support for young people aged 5–25. 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline: 24-hour telephone crisis support and suicide prevention service. 13 11 14
- Suicide Call Back Service: 24-hour telephone and online counselling for people affected by suicide. 1300 659 467
Funerals
- Funerals Australia (formerly Australian Funeral Directors Association): Information about planning a funeral. Use the “Find a Funeral Director” search to look for a funeral director in your area. (03) 9859 9966
- Funeral Celebrants Association Australia: Directory for finding a funeral celebrant in your local area.
Future planning
- Advance Care Planning Australia: Information about planning for your future health care, including advance care directives. 1300 208 582
Grief
- Grief Australia: Online telehealth counselling service for people experiencing grief. 1800 642 066
- Cancer Council: Information and support for people with cancer and their carers as well as telephone and support groups. 13 11 20
- Griefline: Telephone and online counselling service and support groups for all Australians who have experienced a loss. 1300 845 745
- GriefLink: Online information for the bereaved and grieving carers, friends and colleagues.
Palliative, respite and other care
- CareSearch: Australian Government website with palliative care information and links to services for patients and families.
- Healthdirect Australia: Links to respite care at home, in a respite care centre or, in some cases, a hospital or palliative care unit.
- My Aged Care: Information about the different types of aged care and respite services and eligibility. 1800 200 422
- Palliative Care Australia: Information and resources; can link you to your local palliative care office.
Legal and financial information
- Cancer Connect: Referral service for people affected by cancer needing professional advice about legal or financial issues; free for eligible clients. 13 11 20
- Community Legal Centres Australia: Find organisations in each state and territory that may be able to assist you with a legal problem.
- Services Australia: Offers financial support for people with a long-term illness and for primary carers. 132 717
- End of Life Law in Australia: Information about the law on end-of-life decision-making and voluntary assisted dying in each state and territory.
- Public Trustee in your state or territory: Public and state trustees can help you prepare a will and manage your finances.
- The social worker on the palliative care team: May be able to help you access legal or financial support.
Relevant support
Read cancer information
Trusted cancer information for all people affected by cancer
Need to talk to someone?
We're available 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays)