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
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Delivering a WOW Customer Experience
Amy is very professional and on time. She has excellent nursing knowledge/ skills and cares for her patients greatly. Nurse Next Door is 100/10 in the way everything has been handled and professionalism. I would recommend them to anyone needing nursing/ care services.
Paul Crawford
Jonathon and Kyle have been amazing from start to finish. They have stepped in to assist at short notice for my client and have provided professional and personalized care for her. I could not recommend them highly enough
Nikki Mckay
I had been amazed of how my life turned around, simply by the caring routine from all the assigned support workers the last 9 months. I am happy and proud to say my life is still transforming for the better and better!!! Having to go through the pitts and was at rock bottom, suffering from various mental and physical disabilities for years ( firstly undiagnosed) I found life hell to simply put. With the professionalism, caring, understanding of all the staff, from the management and each and every support workers had made tremendous progress and contributed positively into my life each and every encounter. I thank you from the bottom of my heart, Graham, Tesring, Rodney, Tula, Robin, Christine...Thank you Thank you. And of couse thank you to Ross, the head that making it all possible.
Angel - Lucianna Vesna
We have been using Nurse Next Door for 2 years now and i don't know what we would do without them, the nurses are amazing and always go above and beyond to make sure my husband has the best treatments possible for his condition and a big shout out to Nicole for always being so supportive of us and always being so helpful.
Kylie Demmer
After a while in hospital I returned home and needed assistance doing everything and Agnes and her staff were more than helpful for up to 6hrs a day for the first 2 weeks and continued on decreasing the hours up till now. I am more than grateful for the service I have received and I would recommend Agnes to anyone needing care.
Shirley Dodds
Great service
Daniel
How can I ever thank your company enough. A last minute trip to Melbourne, Nurse next door came to our rescue and were able to accommodate for our son, at the last minute (my fault). I have never used an agency before for my son A seamless, caring and professional service. Nothing was ever too hard. From the initial phone call, through to the accounts, it was so easy and faultless. Our nurse was so caring and professional, she made my son happy and safe. Thank you!! Our trip would have been a nightmare without you.
Fred Finette
Nurse Next Door Wagga Wagga are a wonderful company. They are both professional and compassionate. No matter what kind of mood i am in when they arrive I am always in a good mood when they leave because we are always laughing a lot while they are here. And as an added bonus I love pink!
Amanda McKenzie
I have been given the best team that I can think of with Nimmy and Li being my favourite with all their hRd work to help and look after me. Nurse next door has the best carers.
John Capozzi
Head Nurse Sruthi and the whole team go above and beyond for their consumers. I’ve worked with them closely over the last few months with a rural consumer and their attention to care, communication & follow up has been phenomenal. I would recommend them to anybody, thanks again for all your hard work and help.
Rachel Beattie
The Caring Journal
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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
