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Palliative care helps people with any life-limiting or terminal condition to live their life as fully and as comfortably as possible.

Palliative care identifies and treats symptoms which may be physical, emotional, spiritual or social. It also provides practical and emotional support to family and carers.

Because palliative care is based on each individual’s needs, support and services will vary. They may include:

  • relief of pain and other symptoms (for example, vomiting, shortness of breath)
  • resources (for example, equipment needed to provide care at home)
  • assistance to enable families to talk about sensitive issues or meet cultural obligations
  • referrals to respite care services
  • access to support services (for example, home help, financial support)
  • emotional, social and spiritual support
  • counselling and grief support.

Palliative care may be useful at different stages of an illness, from the time of diagnosis to the final stages of life. It can be given alongside treatments given by other doctors and is available for people of any age, including babies and children.

See our informative booklets for people experiencing palliative care or for those caring for a loved one at the end of life here:

Palliative Caring – Revised September 2024

My Palliative Care – Revised September 2024

What health professionals provide palliative care?

A range of health professionals generally work together to provide palliative care. This multidisciplinary team may include:

  • doctors
  • nurses
  • social workers
  • psychologists
  • physiotherapists
  • pharmacists
  • occupational therapists
  • speech therapists
  • nutritionists.

Generally, people receive palliative care and support from this multidisciplinary team. However, some people with complex symptoms that are difficult to manage may be referred to health professionals with specialist qualifications in palliative care.

How do you access palliative care?

Generally, a person’s general practitioner makes a referral to specialist palliative care if it is required. Referrals can also be made by specialist teams, hospitals, residential aged care facilities, prisons, and disability care organisations.

Where is palliative care provided?

Palliative care can be provided at home, in hospitals or hospices, or in other types of accommodation that the person is living in, for example, a prison, residential aged care homes, disability care, homeless hostels, shared accommodation, hotels, or temporary accommodation.

People and their families are encouraged to decide where they would like palliative care to be provided. Palliative care teams aim to provide care in the person’s preferred location.

Many people indicate a preference to die at home. Achieving this depends on:

  • the nature of the illness and amount of care the patient needs
  • how much support is available from the patient’s family and community
  • whether the patient has someone at home who can provide physical care and support for them.

PLEASE NOTE: Palliative Care WA does not directly provide palliative care services or organise access to those services. For more information on palliative care services in WA, please visit When you need help and advice. You will also find frequently asked questions on that page.

Palliative care explained in 19 languages

Palliative Care Victoria’s brochure about palliative care that has been translated into 19 languages. The brochure answers the following questions:

  • What is palliative care?
  • Who provides palliative care?
  • Where can I receive care?
  • Will I have to pay?
  • What if I need to speak another language?
  • What about my family?
  • Where can I get more information?

Order printed copies of the brochures, or download electronic versions using the links below:

This information is not clinical advice. Your health care decisions are best made in consultation with your doctor.