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As Australia transitions to the new Support at Home program on 1st November 2025, ensuring compassionate, timely, and high quality care for older people nearing the end of their lives remains a priority. The End of Life Pathway, a specialised component of the program, is designed to support those diagnosed with a limited life expectancy, specifically three months or less, who wish to remain in the comfort of their own homes.
The End-of-Life Pathway is a care option under the Support at Home program that offers enhanced services for older people in the last stage of life. The goal is to maintain dignity, comfort, and personal choice by allowing individuals to remain at home while receiving high levels of support.
It provides access to a one-off funding amount of $25,000 to be spent across a 12 week period (with option to extend to 16 weeks if needed). Whilst receiving funding through the End of Life Pathway, participants can also access state and territory based palliative care services.
To qualify for the End-of-Life Pathway, an older person must:
Only one episode of the End-of-Life Pathway is permitted per participant. If the individual outlives the 12-week funding window, their care can be reassessed and transitioned to an ongoing classification under the Support at Home program (i.e a Level 1-8 funding package).
This pathway provides the highest daily funding classification in the Support at Home framework. The $25,000 budget is designed to support a rapid escalation in care needs and must be used within a 12-week period (with flexibility to extend to 16 weeks if funds remain). It’s important to note:
For existing participants
If an older person is already receiving services under Support at Home:
For new participants
For those not already receiving services:
Care management remains a core feature of the End-of-Life Pathway. Every participant is assigned a care partner, a staff member from the provider organisation who:
Unlike other classifications where a 10% cap exists, there is no cap on care management under this pathway, reflecting the high level of coordination required.
Participants can access any relevant service from the Support at Home service list based on their assessed needs. This may include:
However, new home modifications are not funded unless previously underway before the participant commenced with the End of Life Pathway.
The pathway includes provisions to ensure culturally appropriate care, especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants. Services may include:
This approach ensures end-of-life care respects spiritual, emotional, and cultural needs.
The End-of-Life Pathway represents a compassionate and practical approach to aged care at life’s most vulnerable stage. It empowers older Australians to die with dignity, surrounded by family and comfort, in the place they call home.
By integrating funding, services, and care coordination, this pathway ensures older people are not just cared for but respected, honoured, and supported through their final journey.
Visit My Aged Care or contact them on 1800 200 422. For resources on palliative care by state or territory, explore Palliative Care Australia.
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