Official update · document review
Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway: extension from 8 March 2027
The Department says that from 8 March 2027, an End-of-Life Pathway participant who remains living at home after the initial 12 weeks will automatically continue for a further 12 weeks without reassessment and receive approximately $25,000 in additional funding. This is a future change, not the current duration: at present the pathway runs for 12 weeks, with services able to continue for up to 16 weeks where needed and funding remains. Eligibility and access arrangements are not changing, and a person can access this pathway only once through Support at Home. The pathway complements, rather than replaces, state and territory palliative care services.
Document and workflow checks
Turn the official change into reviewable actions
- In the provider's authorised system, identify which care plans and service schedules may need a review when the 8 March 2027 change takes effect; do not apply the future extension to current episodes.
- For an existing Support at Home participant who may need the pathway, use the Department's current urgent Support Plan Review and clinician-completed End-of-Life Pathway Form process; do not treat the future continuation as a new entry or second enrolment.
- Have the care partner record agreed support, family or supporter preferences, and coordination with the medical team and other palliative care services in the provider's approved care-plan and contact-note systems.
Who may need to review this
- Support at Home care partners and providers
- Older people and families considering the End-of-Life Pathway
- Care-plan and service-coordination teams
Impact areas
- Future pathway duration from 8 March 2027
- Continuation after the initial 12 weeks
- Care planning and medical-team coordination
Team review question
Who will review care-plan and coordination records before the future pathway extension takes effect?
Usage boundary
This is a source-linked future-policy reminder, not an eligibility, clinical, reassessment, funding or service decision. The further 12 weeks and approximate additional funding start from 8 March 2027; they are not available under the current 12-week arrangement. Check the Department's current guidance and the participant's formal decision and support plan. Do not enter health, prognosis, care-plan or participant details into CaresLink.