Palliative Care Referral — State Palliative Care Services

Issuing authority

State and territory health departments (SA Health, Tasmanian Health Service, NSW Health, VIC Health, QLD Health, WA Health, NT Health, ACT Health)

Official source

How to apply

1. Speak with your GP, specialist, or treating clinician about your need for palliative care support.
2. Ask your health professional to initiate a referral to the local specialist palliative care service (most states require a clinician referral; SA, TAS and some others allow self-referral).
3. Clinician completes the relevant state referral form — e.g. SA Health Palliative Care Referral Form (PDF), Tasmanian Palliative Care Services Referral Form — including diagnosis, functional status, goals of care, and medication details.
4. Submit the completed referral form to the local palliative care team by fax, secure email, or online portal as specified by the state service.
5. Palliative care team triages the referral and contacts the patient or family to arrange an initial assessment visit (community, hospital, or inpatient unit depending on needs).
6. A care plan is developed collaboratively with the patient, family, and multidisciplinary palliative care team.
7. Ongoing review and coordination between the palliative care service, GP, and other providers as the patient's condition changes.
8. For end-of-life planning, complete an Advance Care Directive in your state and ensure a copy is held by the palliative care team and GP.

Related topics

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