End-of-Life Pathway with Nurse Next Door
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.
We Respect
What Matters to You
End-of-life care is not only physical, it’s emotional, relational, and deeply personal. We take time to understand your goals, values, and what dignity looks like for you, so care feels respectful and truly person-centred.
Our role is to help create calm in a difficult time: supporting comfort, reducing stress, and making space for meaningful moments. We can also help your family feel supported and informed, encouraging open, gentle communication as decisions arise.
Above all, we honour your individuality, your choices, your culture, your beliefs, and your right to be cared for in a way that reflects who you are.
Our End-of-Life Pathway Services
Your Care team can provide a range of supports to help you remain at home, with comfort and dignity.
Services are based on your approved plan and align with Support at Home categories. The pathway can fund extra supports such as: Personal care (e.g., showering, dressing, toileting), Domestic assistance (e.g., cleaning, laundry), Meals and meal preparation, shopping and daily routines, Transport, Respite Care and Clinical Supports such as nursing care, plus allied health like OT and physiotherapy where appropriate
Nurse Next Door will put your needs first, so you can spend more time together.
Support Where and
When You Need It
Needs can change quickly at the end of life. Our goal is to respond with the right care at the right time, without delays, confusion, or unnecessary handovers.
We work in close contact with your broader health team to support smooth care coordination and a consistent plan at home. If services need to increase, we can adjust quickly and thoughtfully.
Most importantly, you will never feel alone. Your Nurse Next Door Care Team is here with steady, compassionate support, helping you and your family through each day and night with comfort and peace of mind.
Devoted & Experienced
End-of-Life Support
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.
Clients accessing state funded palliative care
The End of Life Pathway works alongside state funded palliative care, so you may be able to access both at the same time if eligible. The End of Life pathway is designed to complement, not replace, state services which handle specialised symptom management. They run in parallel to provide comprehensive support.
Clients WITH an existing Support at Home plan
A doctor or nurse practitioner must complete the government's End of Life Pathway form to confirm a prognosis of less than 3 months to live. Your provider must then request an urgent Support Plan review to transition you to the End of Life pathway. As soon as this funding is approved the additional care can be provided.
Clients WITHOUT an existing Support at Home Plan
A doctor or nurse practitioner must complete the governments End of Life Pathway form to confirm a prognosis of less than 3 months to live. You must then request a high priority assessment from My Aged Care by calling 1800 200 422 or applying online. Once the funding is approved you can contact Nurse Next Door to arrange starting services.
Helping you to Understand
Frequently asked Questions
What is the Support at Home End-of-Life Pathway?
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.
How much funding is available, and for how long?
Around $25,000 over 12 weeks, with the ability to use remaining funds for a total of up to 16 weeks.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility must be confirmed by a doctor or nurse practitioner, including:
- Age - 65+ (or 50+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people)
- Life expectancy of 3 months or less
- AKPS score of 40 or less
What is an AKPS score?
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”).
What services can the pathway cover?
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.
Does the End-of-Life Pathway replace palliative care?
No. It’s designed to complement state and territory palliative care services, helping bring extra day-to-day support into the home.
Can the End-of-Life Pathway be used more than once?
My Aged Care notes the End-of-Life Pathway can only be used once.
Will there be any costs?
Participants contribute to independence and everyday living services (based on income/assets). Clinical supports (like nursing) are fully funded by the government (no contribution).
Can the funding be used for equipment or home modifications?
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.
Where can we get independent help if we have concerns?
The Department fact sheet notes you can contact the Aged Care Advocacy Line (OPAN) on 1800 700 600 for free, confidential support.
Real People, Real Impact
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
.webp)
Delivering a WOW Customer Experience
Have had two nurses from NND at home to dress a leg wound for several weeks, Excellent, professional staff. Proved a great help to me for dressings I could not do due to personal frailties. I would recommend them, anytime.
John Galanos
As a Support Coordinator, I meet so many providers — but every now and then, a team comes along that genuinely restores your faith in what caring for others should look like. Nurse Next Door has been one of those rare experiences for me. Their support workers don’t just “complete tasks.” They show up with heart. I’ve seen them bring comfort on the hardest days, celebrate the small wins, and treat clients with a level of gentleness and respect that can’t be taught — it has to come from real compassion. They communicate openly, listen deeply, and never make participants feel like a number on a roster. Instead, they make people feel safe, valued, and truly seen. For families who have struggled to find consistency or kindness in care, Nurse Next Door has been a breath of fresh air. Watching how they walk alongside participants — especially those with complex needs — has reminded me why I chose this field. Their dedication doesn’t just support clients; it brings peace, dignity, and moments of joy back into people’s lives. 💗 I wholeheartedly recommend Nurse Next Door to anyone needing support that comes from a place of genuine care and humanity.
Linda Jones
I cannot speak highly enough of the staff from Nurse Next Door . In dealing with my elderly Mum I have found the nurses to be professional and compassionate . Everything was explained clearly and all of my questions were answered . I have no problem in recommending Nurse Next Door .
Rusty Griswald
I have had a lot to do with arranging care for my father. Jonathan and his team are 10/10. It's not just a career for this Team they are all very caring and professional. Please don't hesitate to contact them and let them provide the best team of in-home help and peace of mind. You want need to look any further for the best care.
Narelle Crawford
As l have always been the helper, it is hard for me to ask for help when the tables have turned ! But the Nurse Next Door team have been wonderful (l haven't met a bad one yet). They are ways pleasant and only too happy to help with anything. Absolutely beautiful people right throughout the team, from office staff right to all the nurses. Cheers guys, you are doing a top job!
Debra Hickmott
Nurse Next Door responded promptly to our needs. They quickly established relationships with mum and attended to all her needs - in a professional and respectful manner I have no hesitation in recommending Nurse Next Door to anyone seeking Aged Care Services.
Simon Blake
Rev, Glenn and the team at Nurse Next Door have literally SAVED us! They have been the very best to work with - providing excellent staff for my severely disabled and chronically unwell brother. Even more importantly, they are not just nice when things are going well, but take action and make changes when things are not working out. I am very picky, and my brother needs 24/7 high intensity care, and I cannot recommend Revital at Nurse Next Door highly enough. She's the best of the best.
Julienne Verhagen
The Team at Nurse Next Door are an amazing group of people who have the highest standard of professionalism and work really well on both a team and individual level. Their focus is always on the welfare and wellbeing of their patient/client and extends beyond an attitude that there is never a problem without a solution but extends at all times to be one of trust, friendship and compassion. I have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone who made need to call upon their well known and extensive range of services. Working with them in an environment which features respect, grace and, humour is invaluable
Greg Martland
I am providing feedback on behalf of a NND client currently receiving services from Nurse Next Door Ballarat receiving chronic wound management. Michelle and her team have gone above and beyond for me, ensuring I feel comfortable prior to and during all procedures. I would like to thank Michelle and her team for providing an exceptional service. My wounds are improving each day thanks to Michelle and her skilled team. Noelene
Kymberly Rita Hartup
Nurse Next Door Sunshine Coast has a fantastic team of knowledgeable and caring staff who consistently put their clients first. As a support coordinator who has worked with them, I can say that they are a pleasure to work with. Their dedication to providing exceptional service is evident in everything they do. I highly recommend Nurse Next Door Sunshine Coast to anyone looking for compassionate and trustworthy care for themselves or their loved ones.
Kieren Trask
The Caring Journal
The Caring Journal is your go-to destination for stories, insights, and resources that celebrate the art and heart of caregiving.
Why Nurse Next Door?
Quality Home Care That’s Personal and Professional
Every Care Plan is thoughtfully crafted, and every Caregiver is meticulously chosen to meet your needs.
Quality Home Care That’s Personal and Professional
We Match You with Your Perfect Caregiver
We hand-pick the right person from our trusted team of Caregivers based on your needs, preferences and personality.
We Match You with Your Perfect Caregiver
Reliable Care with Our Attendance Monitoring System
Our activity monitoring system closely monitors every visit to ensure Caregivers arrive on time and schedules run smoothly.
Reliable Care with Our Attendance Monitoring System
Qualified & Insured Caregivers You Can Trust
Our Caregivers and Nurses are licensed, insured and highly qualified, with a minimum of two years’ experience.
Qualified & Insured Caregivers You Can Trust
We Aim to Provide You The Same Caregiver Everytime
We want you to see a familiar face every visit. Your perfect match Caregiver will learn your routines and favorite foods.
We Aim to Provide You The Same Caregiver Everytime
24/7 Live Calling Support
Speak with a real person in 30 seconds or less every time you call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
24/7 Live Calling Support
Comprehensive Care at Every Age
Our services range from elder care to daily living support for people of all ages. Quality care, regardless of age.
Comprehensive Care at Every Age
