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.
This plan gives an overview of the resources, grouped by topic, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has published to help the aged care sector prepare for the new Aged Care Act.
The Dementia in Australia report captures the latest data and information on dementia in Australia. The report shows that there were around 425,000 people living with dementia in Australia in 2024, equivalent to 16 people with dementia per 1,000 Australians. The number of people living with dementia is expected to more than double to over 1 million by 2065 due to Australia’s growing and ageing population. In 2023, dementia was the leading cause of death in Australia, with 17,400 deaths (or 9.5% of all deaths), an increase from 8,500 deaths in 2009.
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released new support documents to help providers as they transition to the new aged care system. The following documents have been released
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.
The Commission has published a fact sheet about providers’ responsibilities when older people in their care ask for support with voluntary assisted dying.