Introduction
Facing the final stage of a life‑limiting illness is challenging for anyone. In Sydney, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) offers specialised palliative care services that let people stay in the comfort of their own home. These supports focus on pain relief, emotional wellbeing and practical assistance, while respecting the wishes of the participant and their family. This article explains who can access the service, what is covered, how funding works and the steps to get it started.
What the support is and who it helps
Palliative care under the NDIS is a range of allied‑health and personal‑care services designed for participants with a terminal condition or a life‑limiting illness. The goal is to improve quality of life, manage symptoms and provide a dignified end‑of‑life experience. It is available to people of any age who have an NDIS plan and whose condition meets the criteria for palliative care.
Typical recipients include:
- Individuals with advanced cancer, motor neurone disease, end‑stage heart or lung disease, and similar conditions.
- People who require regular medication administration, wound care, or specialised nursing.
- Families who need respite, emotional support or assistance with daily tasks.
The service can be delivered by registered nurses, allied health professionals, personal care assistants and community palliative care teams.
Eligibility and access rules
To be eligible for NDIS palliative care services you must:
- Hold an active NDIS plan that includes the “Palliative Care” support category.
- Have a diagnosed, life‑limiting condition that is expected to result in death within 12 months, as confirmed by a medical professional.
- Demonstrate that the support will improve functional capacity, manage pain or reduce the burden on informal carers.
- Meet the general NDIS eligibility criteria – Australian citizenship, permanent residency or a protected Special Category visa, and an assessed permanent disability.
Access is coordinated through your NDIS planner, support coordinator or a registered provider. If you are unsure whether your condition qualifies, ask your planner for a functional assessment.
What’s included and what’s not included
Included supports
- Clinical nursing care – medication administration, wound management, catheter care, and symptom monitoring.
- Allied‑health services – physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology aimed at comfort and mobility.
- Personal care – assistance with bathing, dressing, toileting and feeding when required.
- Respite for families – short‑term in‑home support to give carers a break.
- Equipment and consumables – hospital‑grade beds, hoists, pressure‑relieving cushions and medical supplies.
Exclusions
- Long‑term residential hospice care (unless specifically funded as a separate NDIS support).
- Non‑clinical home cleaning, gardening or general household chores that are not directly linked to the participant’s health needs.
- Medication costs that are covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
- Transport that is not directly related to receiving palliative care services.
For a broader view of home‑care funding see the NDIS Home Care Supports guide, which outlines how similar services are priced under the latest NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits.
Funding and planning considerations
Funding for palliative care is allocated within the “Core Supports” and “Capacity Building” budgets of your NDIS plan. The amount you receive depends on the level of need identified in your plan review. The NDIS uses the latest Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits to set maximum daily rates for nursing, allied health and equipment.
Key points to remember:
- Only services that are reasonable and necessary are funded. Providers must submit detailed service reports.
- If you have a high‑intensity support plan, palliative care can be combined with other high‑intensity services to streamline funding.
- Plan reviews should be scheduled well before the anticipated end‑of‑life phase to ensure continuity of care.
- Some participants choose a self‑managed plan, giving them direct control over invoices and provider selection.
Understanding how palliative care fits into your overall budget can be complex. The NDIS Home Care Supports in Victoria article provides useful examples of budgeting for similar services.
How to request or activate the support
- Discuss with your planner or support coordinator. Explain the need for palliative care and request the appropriate support category in your plan.
- Obtain a medical statement. Your doctor must provide a written confirmation of the terminal condition and the expected timeframe.
- Plan approval. Once the NDIS approves the support, you will receive a funding allocation in your plan.
- Select a registered provider. Use the NDIS Provider Finder or ask your coordinator for recommendations. Verify that the provider offers palliative nursing and allied‑health services.
- Develop a service schedule. Work with the provider to create a care plan that outlines frequency, duration and specific tasks.
- Start the service. The provider will begin visits, submit claims to the NDIS and provide regular progress reports.
If you are self‑managing, you will need to keep receipts and submit them through the NDIS portal. For participants with a plan manager, the manager will handle claim submission on your behalf.
Local context – Sydney and surrounding suburbs
Sydney offers a wide network of palliative care providers, many of which operate across the inner‑city and surrounding suburbs. Residents of Belgravia, Chelsea and Pimlico can access the same NDIS‑funded services as those in the central business district. Local hospitals such as Royal Prince Alfred and St Vincent’s have community liaison teams that coordinate with NDIS providers to deliver seamless care at home.
Community organisations in these suburbs also run support groups for families, offering counselling and practical advice during the end‑of‑life journey. When choosing a provider, consider those with experience in the local area, as they will be familiar with the geography and can respond quickly to urgent needs.
People Also Ask
What types of professionals can deliver NDIS palliative care at home?
Registered nurses, allied health practitioners (physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists), personal care assistants and specialised palliative care teams are all approved to provide services under the NDIS.
Can I use my NDIS plan to pay for a hospice stay?
NDIS funding is primarily for home‑based supports. A residential hospice can be funded only if it is listed as a separate support in your plan and meets the “reasonable and necessary” criteria. Typically, hospice costs are covered by other health funding streams.
How often can a palliative care nurse visit my home?
The frequency is determined by your care plan. Some participants receive daily visits, while others may have weekly or as‑needed appointments. Your planner will allocate funding based on the level of need documented by your medical professional.
Do I need to pay for medical supplies like wound dressings?
Medical consumables that are directly related to palliative care (e.g., wound dressings, catheter kits) are funded under the NDIS Pricing Arrangements. Items covered by the PBS, such as prescription medicines, are not funded by the NDIS.
Can my family members be paid for providing palliative care?
Family members can receive a “Support Worker” payment if they are formally recognised as a support worker on your plan. This arrangement must be documented in the plan and the work must be reported in line with NDIS requirements.
This article is general information only. Check your plan and speak with your planner or support coordinator.