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 developed an updated roadmap to help providers prepare for the new Aged Care Act, which starts on 1 November. The roadmap outlines key dates and milestones for:
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 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.