Many older Australians wish to remain in their own home, surrounded by family and familiar comforts, as they near the end of life and the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway makes this a possibility.
Designed for people with an expected life expectancy of 3 months or less, the End of Life Pathway provides up to $25,000 in dedicated funding for additional in-home care support.
Nurse Next Door can support you and your family with compassionate end of life care at home, delivered with dignity, respect, and a calm, consistent plan, enabling you to live life your way, right to the end.

When a loved one is nearing the end of life, everything can feel urgent and overwhelming. Alongside the emotional weight, there are practical decisions to make, what support is needed right now, who will help day-to-day, and how to keep care consistent as needs change.
That’s where we come in. Your Nurse Next Door Care Team works closely with you, your family, and your treating health professionals (including your GP and palliative care teams) to coordinate support that’s calm, respectful, and responsive.
The End-of-Life Pathway is designed to complement state and territory palliative care services (it doesn’t replace them), helping ensure practical supports are in place at home while specialist teams focus on comfort and symptom management.
It’s a short-term, high-priority Support at Home pathway that helps eligible older people with 3 months or less to live access additional in-home aged care services to support them to remain at home (if they choose).
More information is available on the Support at Home page.
Around $25,000 over 12 weeks, with the ability to use remaining funds for a total of up to 16 weeks.
Eligibility must be confirmed by a doctor or nurse practitioner, including:
AKPS (Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status) is a clinical tool used to describe someone’s functional status (how much support they need for daily activities). Eligibility requires a score of 40 or below. A score of 40 is commonly described as being in bed more than 50% of the time (which can also mean “in a chair”).
The same types of services available through Support at Home, clinical supports, independence supports, and everyday living supports (e.g., nursing, personal care, cleaning, meals, transport, respite), based on your approved plan.
No. It’s designed to complement state and territory palliative care services, helping bring extra day-to-day support into the home.
My Aged Care notes the End-of-Life Pathway can only be used once.
Participants contribute to independence and everyday living services (based on income/assets). Clinical supports (like nursing) are fully funded by the government (no contribution).
My Aged Care notes your plan may include a separate budget for assistive technology (products and equipment). The Department also states participants may access some assistive technology funding but cannot receive funding for home modifications under this pathway.
The Department fact sheet notes you can contact the Aged Care Advocacy Line (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 for free, confidential support.
The Caring Journal is your go-to destination for stories, insights, and resources that celebrate the art and heart of caregiving.