How does the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway work?

The Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway gives eligible older Australians up to $25,000 in government funding. This funding is used to access in-home aged care services during their final months of life. It's a dedicated short-term pathway under the Support at Home program, which launched on 1 November 2025.

The pathway is designed to complement, not replace, state and territory palliative care services. You can receive both at the same time.

What is the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway?

The End-of-Life Pathway is a high-priority, short-term support option under Support at Home. It's for people who have about three months or less to live, and want to stay at home for the time that remains.

The End-of-Life Pathway is one of three short-term pathways within the Support at Home program. The other two short-term pathways are:

1. The Restorative Care Pathway
2. The Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme

It provides approximately $25,000 in funding that can be used for approved Support at Home services. Funding covers practical day-to-day supports. These include personal care, nursing, domestic help, and respite.

Who is eligible for the End-of-Life Pathway?

You may be eligible for the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway if you meet medical and age criteria and wish to remain at home. Eligibility includes:

• Prognosis: A doctor or nurse practitioner must confirm an estimated life expectancy of three months or less.
• Age: You must meet the age requirement, which is typically 65+ (50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people).
• Location: You must prefer to remain at home rather than move to a residential aged care facility or a hospital.
• Documentation: Your clinician confirms you are in bed more than half the day (AKPS — Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status — score 40 or lower).

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The AKPS is a functional assessment tool used in palliative care settings. A score of 40 or below shows significant impairment. This typically means you need considerable help with daily activities and frequent medical care.

Do you already need to be receiving aged care services?

The pathway is open to both existing Support at Home participants and new applicants. If you already receive Support at Home services, you can request an urgent Support Plan Review to move onto the pathway. Your carer or provider can also request this for you.

If you are new to the system, your doctor completes the pathway form and refers you for a high-priority aged care assessment. 

Once approved, funding is available from the date of approval. There is no waiting list or queue for this pathway.

Can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people access the pathway earlier?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access the End-of-Life Pathway from age 50, rather than the standard age of 65. This also applies to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. All other eligibility criteria, the AKPS score, and the three-month life expectancy requirement, stay the same.

How much funding does the pathway provide?

Around $25,000 is available per participant over a 12-week period. There is flexibility to use those funds for up to 16 weeks if they are not fully spent.

To put that in context, the standard Support at Home Classification 4 provides $28,729.65 per year. The End-of-Life Pathway delivers a comparable amount in just 12 weeks, reflecting the higher care intensity required at end of life.

The pathway can only be used once.

What services does the $25,000 cover?

The $25,000 covers services from the full Support at Home service list, based on your assessed needs. The table below shows the three main service categories and what each includes.

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Source: Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

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From 1 October 2026, personal care will move from the independence category to the clinical supports category. This means personal care will be fully government-funded. Approved participants will have no out-of-pocket costs.

Can the pathway fund equipment and home modifications?

Participants can access AT-HM assistive technology funding in addition to their $25,000 care budget. Home modifications are not available under this pathway.

The AT-HM scheme has three tiers, but End-of-Life Pathway participants can only access the first two:

1. Low (up to $500)
2. Medium (up to $2,000)

This can cover items such as hospital-grade beds, wheelchairs, walking frames, shower chairs, and commodes. All of these are accessed immediately, without needing to save from a regular quarterly budget.

How does the pathway work alongside other palliative care services?

The End-of-Life Pathway works alongside state and territory palliative care services. It does not replace them. 

The Australian Government funds palliative care services in every state and territory. Those services continue to run alongside your pathway support.

A 2025 prospective comparative study by Eu et al. examined a private health insurance-funded palliative care program in Australia. It found that patients with enhanced palliative care support at home had a 79% home death rate, compared to 44% in standard care.

A 2021 Cochrane review found that home-based end-of-life care increased the likelihood of dying at home. The relative risk was 1.31 (95% CI 1.12 to 1.52), based on high-certainty evidence.

Palliative care can be provided at the same time as other treatments. Choosing the End-of-Life Pathway does not mean stopping curative or other medical interventions.

How to access the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway

The application process is fast, recognising the urgency when someone has limited time. This is what it involves:

1. Medical assessment: Your GP or nurse practitioner completes the End-of-Life Pathway form, confirming your prognosis.
2. Requesting a priority assessment: Contact My Aged Care (or apply online) or visit an Aged Care Specialist Officer at a Services Australia centre.
   
   

Note: If you are already receiving Support at Home services, skip to Step 3. Your provider can request an urgent Support Plan Review on your behalf.

3. Rapid assessment: An assessor will do a home-based assessment to determine your needs and create a support plan.
4. Notice of Decision: This outlines your funding and approved services.
5. Choose a provider: Select an aged care provider from the My Aged Care portal (if you're already with a provider, staying with them avoids delays).
6. Services begin: Your provider arranges care delivery, typically starting within days.

How does the End-of-Life Pathway interact with the NDIS?

The NDIS and the End-of-Life Pathway serve different purposes and can operate alongside each other. State and territory health services are responsible for specialist clinical palliative care.

The NDIS funds functional disability-related supports. The Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway funds aged care services for eligible older Australians.

For people with disabilities who have a terminal illness, the NDIA has a Priority Access Application Pathway. The NDIA makes eligibility decisions within 5 business days of receiving a complete application. If approved, the NDIA aims to confirm the first NDIS plan within 30 calendar days of a valid application.

Preparing for end-of-life care at home

Good planning reduces stress for everyone. Your GP and palliative care team can help you create a clear plan for support, symptoms, and after-hours contacts.

Practical preparations to consider:

• Ask about equipment needs, such as a hospital bed, and who can organise them.
• Plan carer support, including who can stay overnight if needed.
• Ask your care team what to do if distressing symptoms occur suddenly, especially outside of regular business hours.

It's also helpful to have some planning documents ready. These may include:

• An advance care directive (a written record of care wishes) can guide decisions if the person is unable to speak for themselves.
• A substitute decision-maker document can help with health and financial decisions.

What happens after 16 weeks?

The End-of-Life Pathway funding lasts up to 16 weeks total (12 weeks standard, extendable if funds remain). 

If you're still living at home beyond this period:

• Your provider can request a high-priority Support Plan Review to transition you to ongoing Support at Home services.
• You'll receive a new funding allocation based on your ongoing care needs (classified into classifications 1-8).
• Your existing services can continue without interruption during the transition.

Any contributions you pay during the End-of-Life Pathway count toward your lifetime contribution cap. The $25,000 government subsidy, though, is separate from your ongoing Support at Home budget. The lifetime cap is $137,917.01 for new entrants, or $86,185.23 for those protected by the 'no worse off' principle. Both figures are indexed and may change.

What to do when death occurs at home

If the death is expected and the person was receiving palliative care at home, you usually do not need to call emergency services. You can contact the person's doctor or palliative care team, and there is often no rush.

This is what you can do:

• Call the GP or palliative care team when you are ready, so they can arrange the medical certificate.
• Take the time you need, as the person can stay at home for a few hours if you wish.
• Contact your chosen funeral director when you are ready, and they will guide you through the next steps.

If the death is unexpected, or you are unsure what has happened, call 000 and follow their instructions.

FAQ

How quickly can I access the End-of-Life Pathway?

The End-of-Life Pathway has the shortest wait time of any Support at Home service type. It has a median wait of just 15 days from application to service start.

Funding is available immediately upon approval, with no waitlist. Once approved, you have up to 56 days to enter into a service agreement with a provider and begin services. This speed reflects the urgent nature of end-of-life care needs.

Does the End-of-Life Pathway replace my existing Home Care Package?

For existing Support at Home participants, the pathway replaces your ongoing classification for as long as it runs. Your budget increases to $25,000 for the 12-week period.

If you used to have a Home Care Package and have government unspent funds carried over into Support at Home, these may be available. For example, to help with services if you need care beyond the End-of-Life Pathway period.

Can I change providers to access the End-of-Life Pathway?

You can change providers, but the Department of Health advises against it. Changing providers during the pathway period may delay your access to services at a critical time. If your current provider supports the pathway, staying with them is the faster and simpler option.

Is the End-of-Life Pathway available in rural and remote areas?

The pathway is available across Australia, though service availability varies by location. More than 60% of home care support services are located in metropolitan areas. A further 25% are found in rural towns and remote communities.

Your provider's reach and the availability of local workers will determine what services can be delivered to your address.

Do I need to pay for nursing care under the pathway?

Nursing care is a clinical support, so it is fully funded by the government. You make no contribution toward nursing care or other clinical services under the End-of-Life Pathway. Contributions only apply to independence and everyday living services, based on your income and assets.

If you are considering the pathway

The Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway is designed to reduce stress when time is limited. It provides short-term funding and urgent access to practical help at home. For many people, that support can make the difference between staying home and needing hospital care.

If you or someone you care for wants to remain at home in their final months, start by consulting your GP or treating team. Ask whether the End-of-Life Pathway form is appropriate, and what to do next.

If you want help putting the End-of-Life Pathway into action, Sensible Care can support you through the process. We can talk through your needs, help you understand your options, and organise the services that make staying at home more manageable. 

Contact Sensible Care today to discuss urgent home support and next steps.