There is a range of services that can help with palliative care. The availability of services may vary depending on where you live. Some services are free, but others may have a cost. Talk to your health care team or call Cancer Council 13 11 20 to find out what services are available.
Carer services
| Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 |
Practical information, support and useful resources for carers. |
| Carers Australia |
National body working with state and territory Carers Associations to provide information and advocacy for carers. |
| 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. |
| Better Access initiative |
Information about Medicare rebates for mental health services organised through your GP. |
| Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 |
24-hour telephone counselling service; online and email counselling available seven days a week. |
| Cancer Council’s peer support programs 13 11 20 |
Connect with others affected by cancer online, by phone or in person. |
|
Suicide Call Back Service |
24-hour telephone and online counselling for people affected by suicide. |
Equipment and aids
|
Independent Living Centres Australia |
Advice on products and services to help with aspects of day-to-day living, including mobility, sleeping, eating and transport. |
Financial assistance
| Cancer Council’s Legal and Financial Referral Service 13 11 20 |
Referral service for people affected by cancer needing professional advice; free for eligible clients. |
| Centrelink 132 717 |
Offers financial support for people with a long-term illness and for carers. |
| NDIS 1800 800 110 |
Funding and support for people aged under 65 who have a permanent and significant disability. |
| National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 |
Help with debt problems and finding a financial counsellor. |
| Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) |
Assistance with the cost of prescription medicines. |
| Talk to a social worker on the palliative care team | May be able to help you find legal or financial support. |
Future planning
| Advance Care Planning Australia 1300 208 582 |
Information about planning for your future health care, including advance care directives. |
| Dying to Talk | Palliative Care Australia website encouraging Australians to talk about dying; includes discussion starters. |
| The Groundswell Project | Community organisation using creativity to promote resilience and wellbeing throughout all phases of life. |
Home help
| Talk to your palliative care team, GP and/or health fund. | Some local councils provide services in the home or in the community. |
| My Aged Care 1800 200 422 |
Information about different types of aged care services and eligibility. |
Home nursing
| Ask your local council or your palliative care team. | Private services are also available. |
Legal information
| End of Life Law in Australia | Information from the Australian Centre for Health Law Research on the law relating to advance directives, stopping treatment, palliative care and voluntary assisted dying. |
| Public Trustees Australia | Help you prepare a will and manage your finances. Type “public trustee” in your search engine to find the public trustee in your state or territory. |
Palliative care
| CareSearch | Evidence-based palliative care information and links to services, as well as resources for health professionals. |
| Palliative Care Australia | Information and resources; can link you to your local palliative care office. Also has a directory of services. |
Respite care
| Carer Gateway 1800 422 737 |
Links to respite care at home, in a respite care centre or, in some cases, in a hospital or palliative care unit. |
Spiritual or pastoral care
| Talk to your palliative care team or GP. | Many hospitals have a spiritual care practitioner (pastoral carer). |
Support and information
| Cancer Council Online Community | An online discussion forum where people can connect with each other any time, ask or answer questions, or write a blog about their experiences. |
|
Cancer Council’s telephone |
Includes groups for people with advanced cancer, for carers and for the bereaved. |
| Cancer Council podcasts | Information and insights for anyone affected by cancer. Separate series about advanced cancer. |
More resources
Dr Cynthia Parr, Specialist in Palliative Care, HammondCare and Macquarie University Hospital, NSW; Dr Lisa Cuddeford, Clinical Lead, WA Paediatric Palliative Care Service, WA; Dr Laura Kirsten, Principal Clinical Psychologist, Nepean Cancer Care Centre, NSW; Penny Neller, Project Coordinator, National Palliative Care Projects, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, QLD; Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; A/Prof Peter Poon, Director, Supportive and Palliative Care, Monash Health, and Adjunct Associate Professor, Monash University, VIC; Dr Kathy Pope, Radiation Oncologist, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, VIC; Kate Reed-Cox, Nurse Practitioner National Clinical Advisor, Palliative Care Australia; Juliane Samara, Nurse Practitioner, Clare Holland House – Specialist Palliative Aged Care, Calvary Public Hospital, ACT; Annabelle Solomon, Consumer; Silvia Stickel, Consumer; Kaitlyn Thorne, Manager, PalAssist, Cancer Council Queensland; Kim Vu, Consumer; Rosie Whitford, Social Worker – Grief, Bereavement and Community Palliative Care, Prince of Wales Hospital, NSW.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
Need to talk?
Support services
Coping with cancer?
Speak to a health professional or to someone who has been there, or find a support group or forum
Need legal and financial assistance?
Pro bono services, financial and legal assistance, and no interest loans
Cancer information
Key questions about advanced cancer
Answers to questions people may have when they are first told they have advanced cancer
End of life
Information for people who have been told that the end of life is near