Palliative care in Queensland provides free support for people living with a life-limiting illness, including pain management, emotional care, and end-of-life planning. But when someone you love receives that diagnosis, figuring out what’s actually available and how to access it can feel like a lot. 

And when the information is spread across hospital systems, government websites, and referral processes, it’s easy to get lost before you even begin. That’s why this guide from PalAssist breaks down the essential services, who provides them, and how to get the right support at the right time for your family.

What Is Palliative Care for Life-Limiting Illness?

Palliative care is a specialised form of health support that focuses on relieving pain, managing symptoms, and providing emotional comfort for people living with a life-limiting illness. It also extends that same care and support to families and carers who are part of the journey.

But many people don’t realise how early palliative care can begin (and that’s a misconception worth clearing up). You don’t have to wait until the final weeks of life to access it. In fact, palliative care often runs alongside active treatment for serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, or other chronic conditions. 

According to the Queensland Government, this care does not aim to slow down or speed up dying, and instead helps patients live as comfortably as possible.

So what might that look like for your family? A patient in a regional Queensland hospital could receive palliative care services from a visiting specialist, while also getting community support and home visits between appointments. 

And if your loved one lives in Brisbane or a rural town, the aim is the same: quality palliative care that fits their needs and wishes at every stage.

Now, let’s look at how Queensland Health actually funds these services.

How Queensland Health Funds Palliative Care Across Queensland

One of the biggest plus points of palliative care in Queensland is that most services are publicly funded. If your family member holds a Medicare card, Queensland Health covers palliative care services in public hospitals and community health centres. 

And frankly, that’s one less thing your family has to worry about. Our nurses at PalAssist regularly speak with Queensland families who didn’t realise these services were free until they called us.

So let’s look at what that funding covers:

• Specialist Care: Palliative care doctors and health professionals provide consultations at no cost, so your family can focus on support rather than expenses.
• Home Visits: Palliative care teams visit patients at home to help your loved one stay comfortable in familiar surroundings.
• After-hours Guidance: Families and carers can access phone advice outside regular hours for peace of mind when questions come up unexpectedly.
• Regional Access: Telehealth and outreach programs connect rural Queensland communities with quality palliative care resources.

These resources support your family through every stage of the palliative care journey, wherever you are in Queensland.

Health Professionals Who Deliver Quality Palliative Care

So who actually provides your loved one’s palliative care on a day-to-day basis? A team of health professionals who work together to support your family from every angle. 

Here’s how that team comes together.

Your Palliative Care Team

Your palliative care team typically includes doctors, nurses, social workers, counsellors, and allied health professionals. 

But they don’t work in isolation. Instead, they coordinate closely to look after physical symptoms, emotional health, and spiritual needs (which is exactly the kind of coordinated support families need during this time).

How Care Plans Are Personalised

All of that coordination feeds into one central care plan, built around your loved one’s individual needs and values. 

And as those needs change, your care team reviews and adjusts the plan with both the patient and family, so you always have a say in what happens next.

Palliative Care Australia Providers and Member Organisations

Palliative Care Australia is the national peak body that connects families with accredited palliative care providers in every state and territory. Their member organisations follow national quality standards across a range of care settings. 

Let’s find out how those providers are set up:

Provider Type	What They Offer
Public hospitals	Palliative care wards and specialist consultation services
Hospices	Dedicated inpatient facilities focused on comfort care
Community organisations	Local support groups, grief and bereavement counselling, and carer resources
Specialist home care	Health professionals visiting patients at home for ongoing palliative care

Believe it or not, all of these providers follow the same national quality standards (because where you live shouldn’t determine the care you receive).

So if you’re looking for palliative care services in Queensland or anywhere in Australia, you can search the Palliative Care Australia website or call PalAssist for a referral.

Paediatric Palliative Care and Advanced Care Planning Services

Now, let’s look at two services that many families only hear about later than they should. The first is paediatric palliative care, which provides specialised support for children and young people living with life-limiting conditions, along with their families. These services focus on comfort, quality of life, and helping the child cope with the emotional weight of a diagnosis. 

And if you’re not sure where to start looking, Palliative Care Australia and its member organisations can connect you with paediatric palliative care providers in your Queensland community.

The second is advance care planning, another service worth knowing about early. It gives patients the chance to document their wishes for future health decisions, including end-of-life care. 

This can feel like a big step, but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We’ve walked many families through this process at PalAssist, and the relief that comes from having those conversations early is something we see time and again. 

And that’s really what it’s about: making sure your family has a voice while there’s still time to talk it through.

Find Your Palliative Care Number and Take the Next Step

Now that you know what palliative care Queensland Health provides, the next step is reaching out for support. 

Thankfully, you don’t have to figure this out alone. PalAssist offers free palliative care support through registered nurses and trained health professionals who can talk you through your options, help with referral pathways, and connect you with quality palliative care resources in your community. 
You can call the palliative care number at 1800 772 273 any day from 7 am to 7 pm, or visit the PalAssist website to start an online chat. The earlier you reach out, the more time your family has to plan, ask questions, and find peace of mind during a difficult journey.