Key Facts:
- The *State of Palliative Care in Victoria 2026* report estimates that around 23,000 Victorians either did not receive palliative care in 2024 or received it too late, with current specialist services only able to meet less than one-third of the state's estimated need.
- Access to palliative care is significantly lower for people with conditions such as dementia, heart disease, and lung disease compared to those with cancer, with timely access for some conditions as low as 6%.
- Rural and Regional Victorians face greater barriers to palliative care, with overall access falling from 53% in major cities to 46.9% in outer regional Victoria, and 87% of specialist palliative care physicians based in major cities.
- A targeted workforce strategy is urgently needed to attract, retain, and support specialist palliative care clinicians in rural and regional Victoria to address significant shortfalls outside major cities.
- The Victorian Palliative Care Alliance (VPCA) is calling on the State Government & health services to make palliative care a universal priority, provide funding for equitable access, and invest in community education to help Victorians make informed choices about their care.
MEDIA RELEASE 30 September 2026
The Victorian Palliative Care Alliance (VPCA) is calling for urgent action to address significant inequities in access to palliative care following the release of the State of Palliative Care in Victoria 2026 report.
The report estimates that 34,457 Victorians could have benefited from palliative care in 2024, yet almost 23,000 people either did not receive palliative care or received it too late to gain its full benefit. Current specialist palliative care services have capacity to meet less than one-third of Victoria's estimated need. This gap exacerbates pressure on carers, many of whom have their own health and wellbeing challenges and are at risk of burnout.
"Palliative care improves quality of life, manages symptoms, supports families and carers, and helps people live as well as possible for as long as possible. Yet too many Victorians are being referred only in the final months of life, or not at all," said Todd Harper, CEO Cancer Council Victoria.
Access to Palliative Care Varies by Condition
While people with cancer are more likely to access palliative care, the report found significantly lower access for Victorians with Dementia and Alzheimer's disease, Heart disease, Lung disease, Liver disease and Cerebrovascular conditions.
Timely access to palliative care is only 6% for people with Heart disease, Dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and Cerebrovascular conditions.
Fewer than one in four Victorians dying with dementia receive palliative care, despite evidence that around 80% would benefit from it.
Fewer than one in three Victorians dying from cancer receive a timely referral, defined as more than three months before death.
Rural and Regional Victorians Face Greater Barriers
The report also highlights significant workforce shortages and reduced access across rural and regional Victoria.
Overall access to palliative care falls from 53% in major cities to 46.9% in outer regional Victoria and early access declines from 14.1% to 10.3%.
87% of specialist palliative care physicians are located in major cities, with none practising outside inner regional Victoria.
"Rural and regional Victorians should not face reduced access to palliative care simply because of where they live. A targeted workforce strategy is urgently needed to attract, retain and support specialist palliative care clinicians in rural and regional Victoria," said Karen Laing, Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health (AARCH) representative.
VPCA Calls to Action
VPCA is calling on the State Government and health services to:
Make palliative care everyone's business
Provide funding that ensures equitable access for all Victorians
Continue investing in community education so Victorians can make informed choices about their care.
"Every Victorian deserves access to high-quality palliative care at the right time and in the right place. These findings make it clear that we must do more to ensure people living with non-cancer illnesses and those in rural and regional Victoria are not left behind," said Mary-Jane Stolp, CEO MND Victoria.
Yours sincerely
Partners of the Victorian Palliative Care Alliance (VPCA)
About us:
The Victorian Palliative Care Alliance is a coalition of non-profit organisations working together to improve access to quality palliative care for all Victorians.
https://www.victoriapalliativecare.com/victorian-palliative-care-alliance
