This section will keep you up to date with news in the palliative care sector. Please note that the links below were current at the time of posting, however links may become obsolete as websites update their content.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has published the Aged Care Rules 2025. The rules act as supporting legislation for the new Aged Care Act, which commences in five weeks on 1 November, and give effect to key aged care reforms introduced since the aged care royal commission.
The Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare has developed the Medication Management at Transitions of Care Stewardship Framework. Medication management at transitions of care is a period of high risk for medication errors and miscommunication, which can lead to harm. More than 50% of medication errors occur at transition of care. This stewardship framework seeks to reduce risks of harm associated with transitions of care.
The 2025 World Alzheimer Report explores the important topic of dementia rehabilitation, combining expert essays and real-world case studies from multiple countries globally to examine how the concept is defined and implemented, as well as practical considerations of how to best adapt rehabilitation practices for people living with dementia in different contexts.
The Government has announced it will release 20,000 home care packages before 1 November, along with a further 20,000 by the end of December to address the growing waitlist issue for older Australians. The remaining packages are scheduled from January 2026.
The Aged Care Act 2024 is the main law that covers government-funded aged care. It sets out the legal requirements for accessing aged care, who can provide services and how, funding, and regulation. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is creating a Guide to Aged Care Law to help people understand the Aged Care Act 2024. It explains the main themes and key points in the Act and the Aged Care Rules 2025. The overview and chapter 1 are available now. Remaining chapters are in preparation.
The Australian Government is providing funding for credentialed pharmacists to work on-site in residential aged care homes (RACHs) in a clinical role. Guidance for managing the measure has been released: Pharmacist and Residential Aged Care Home Guide
The final strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards are now available. The strengthened standards include a Clinical Standard (Standard 5) with a specific set of Outome items for Palliative Care and End of life Care (Outcome 5.7) Providers are required to comply with the Outcomes in the Standards and demonstrate their conformance with the Standards during audit. The Actions guide providers on how they can demonstrate they comply or conform with the Outcomes. They will take effect from 1 November this year, in line with the new Aged Care Act. Until then, the current Aged Care Quality Standards remain in effect.
The Australian Government has announced a $21.5 million investment in scholarships to strengthen the skills and career pathways of the aged care workforce. Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to complete qualifications ranging from Certificate III through to masters level, as well as pursue specialised training in clinical leadership, palliative care, dementia care and infection prevention and control.
Aged care workers and nurses can apply for a scholarship at the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners.
Advance Care Planning Australia has redeveloped their website to better support you in helping people plan for their future care. New professional resources provide health care and aged care staff with easy access to up-to-date information, practical tools, and evidence-based guidance.
The Commission has published a fact sheet about providers’ responsibilities when older people in their care ask for support with voluntary assisted dying.