The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (DHDA) has developed a resource called the End-of-Life Pathway in response to requests for guidance by GPs on patient eligibility and referrals.
The End-of-Life Pathway is offered for a short term under the Support at Home program. It allows older people who have been diagnosed with three months or less to live to receive funded care services while remaining at home.
The End-of-Life Pathway is designed to complement services received through states and territories, including palliative care.
Support at Home is a program to help older people remain at home as they age. It improves access to services, products, equipment and home modifications to help older people to remain healthy, active and socially connected to their community.
Services can include nursing care, occupational therapy, podiatry, help with personal care, transport and respite care. It also includes services which support culturally safe care, such as access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners and health workers.
The DHDA has released a new Support at Home video which is now available on the My Aged Care website. It is targeted at older people and designed to help GPs talk to their patients about short-term pathways. It is available in a variety of languages.
Download GP resources and referral guidance for the End-of-Life Pathway
End-of-Life Pathway GP resource
This resource provides guidance for GPs and nurse practitioners on patient eligibility, referral pathways and how to complete and submit the End-of-Life Pathway form. It also includes information about AKPS scoring, care coordination and available in-home support services for eligible patients.
Support at Home GP resource
This resource provides an overview of the Support at Home program, including available services, short-term pathways and referral options. It also outlines urgent referral processes, reassessment pathways and support available to help older people remain living safely at home.
This article appeared in Practice Pulse on Wednesday, 27 May 2026. If you are a GP, practice nurse or practice manager in South Western Sydney and do not get the weekly Practice Pulse email, speak to your Practice Support Officer.
