Australians are being encouraged to start important conversations about palliative and end-of-life care as National Palliative Care Week (NPCW) 2026 begins tomorrow.
Running from Sunday 10 to Saturday 16 May, this year's NPCW campaign, Getting to the heart of it: Big Questions. Real Answers, encourages people to ask questions, seek trusted information and talk about what matters most.
Palliative Care Australia Interim CEO Simon Waring said the week is an opportunity to improve understanding of palliative care and encourage earlier conversations.
"Too many Australians still think palliative care is only for the very end of life, when in reality it can begin much earlier and sit alongside other treatments," Mr Waring said.
"Palliative care is about helping people with a life-limiting illness live as well as possible, for as long as possible. It supports comfort, dignity and quality of life, while also helping families, carers and loved ones."
"This year, we are encouraging Australians to ask the big questions: What matters most to me? What care would help me live well? Who needs to know my wishes? And what support is available for the people around me?"
More than 450 people in Australia die each day from a life-limiting illness and could benefit from palliative care, yet many still miss out or receive care too late.
Mr Waring said access to quality palliative care should not depend on postcode, diagnosis, age, background or care setting.
"National Palliative Care Week is about building understanding in the community and keeping the focus on delivering care when and where people need it," he said.
Across Australia, health services, community organisations, workplaces and volunteers will mark the week with events, education sessions, public forums, landmark light-ups and local activities.
Palliative Care Australia is encouraging individuals, families, workplaces and community groups to get involved by attending an event, sharing campaign resources, wearing an orange heart (a symbol for palliative care), or starting a conversation with someone close to them.
National Palliative Care Week 2026 is supported by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
