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.
Support at Home providers can now access updated translated checklists to support older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The checklists have been updated to better align with the new Aged Care Act. They can help you discuss a Support at Home service agreement with an older person before their services start. Developed by Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care (PICAC) Northern Territory, the checklists are available in 64 languages.
Monash University is updating the 2016 Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia, to help improve the quality and consistency of dementia care. Monash is hosting a webinar on 7 May between 4.00pm and 5.00pm (AEST). The webinar will:
Register at: https://monash.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6GAIiBdFSga8cMEBzmGQqw#/registration
Ageing Australia has released a commissioned report to understand older people’s perceptions, experiences and attitudes around ageing well and aged care services. This national community survey involved qualitative and quantitative data collection. The report noted a low level of knowledge about the aged care system, mixed perceptions and attitudes and with most people want to age and die at home.
These new guidelines provide structured recommendations that complement more detailed drug-specific deprescribing guidance, disease-specific therapeutic guidelines and non-pharmacological management resources. These guidelines were developed by a team of 72 experts, including consumer representatives, and were further shaped by feedback from public consultation and independent reviewers. A summary of the guidelines was published in the MJA. The detailed guideline is available at https://deprescribing.com.
Providers can now use Services Australia's Aged Care Provider Portal (ACPP) to manage more administrative functions for Support at Home, residential aged care and transition care, including:
The Prime Minister address to the nation regarding fuel supply and cost pressures caused by the conflict in the Middle East. The National Fuel Security Plan is in place to respond to the impacts to the aged care providers services and workers, particularly in regional areas.
For aged care providers Providers experiencing immediate service impacts can contact their local Department of Health, Disability and Ageing network office for support:
Support for older people receiving aged care Please contact My Aged Care for assistance on 1800 200 422 for any support.
caring@home will launch a tailored suite of resources for care workers supporting the Support at Home program in June 2026.
These adapted resources are designed to equip care workers with the knowledge and confidence to support people at the end of life, as well as their families, in a home setting.
IHACPA has released the consultation paper on the pricing framework for Support at Home services. They are seeking feedback and comments from providers and workforce, participants, families and carers and any with an interest in aged care. The focus for feedback for this consultation includes enhancing future cost collections to better support participation, understanding cost pressures and supporting data, and the differences in provider cost pressures between the Commonwealth Home Support Program and Support at Home. Submissions are open until 5pm AEST Friday 10 April 2026.
The Inspector-General of Aged Care’s report notes that while current reforms are positive, they have not delivered the level of change recommended by the Royal Commission. More work remains to be done.
The experiences of older people living in aged care provide important insights into the quality of services they access. The Residents’ Experience Survey (formerly known as the Consumer Experience Interviews) enables residents to share their views on the quality of care and services they receive.
The 2026 survey is now underway, with at least 20% of residents in each aged care home randomly selected to participate. The feedback collected supports service improvement and contributes to an aged care home’s Star Rating, helping older people and their families make informed choices.