Specialist palliative care and COVID-19 resources 

COVID-19 has been identified as a key issue for health and aged care. The Australian Government has adopted a whole of government emergency response which provides a framework for preparing for, responding to and managing COVID-19 in Australia.

The palliative care community in Australia is comprised of clinicians from across the full spectrum of the clinical disciplines who care for people who are dying or living with a life-limiting illness. All specialist palliative care services are very willing to provide support and guidance to clinicians caring for patients virtually anywhere - in ICUs, other hospital wards, RACFs, special purpose facilities, clinics, those dying at home, and to rural and remote health care facilities.

Variations in guidance between countries, states and health networks may occur. Please refer to local guidance where available and consider non-pharmacological and pharmacological approaches as appropriate.


Getting more information

Visit the National Palliative Care projects including:

Advance Care Planning Australia End of Life Law

Some medications listed in these guides are not available or are administered differently in Australia. See palliAGEDgp App (soon to be replaced by the CareSearchgp App) for Australian guidance regarding medicines and dosing.

Some medications listed in these guides are not available or are administered differently in Australia. See the CareSearchgp App for Australian guidance regarding medicines and dosing.

Getting more information

You can call the National Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you require translating or interpreting services, call 131 450.

There is also a phone number of each state or territory public health agency. To find out about local restrictions put in place as part of the response to COVID-19 visit the Health Direct Restriction Checker.

Visit the following websites:

Last updated 25 October 2023