Key Facts:
- Over 430 Victorians will die without specialist palliative care during National Palliative Care Week (10-16 May 2026), that is 62 people per day
- Demand for palliative care expected to increase by 50% by 2035 and double by 2050, due to ageing population
- Palliative Care Victoria urges government investment in sustainable solutions to ensure universal access
- Melbourne landmarks including Flinders Street Station and Town Hall will be lit orange during awareness week
- Public invited to share personal palliative care stories to demonstrate community impact
This National Palliative Care Week (10 - 16 May 2026) over 430 Victorians will die without access to specialist palliative care - that is 62 people per day!
They miss out on care that is their human right, care that also supports the thousands of family members and carers who carry the grief and heavy load of caring for a loved one with a life-limiting diagnosis.
On top of this, Victoria's population is ageing rapidly, and living longer with complex, chronic life-limiting conditions. Demand for palliative care is expected to increase by 50% between now and 2035, and double by 2050.
Palliative Care Victoria is calling on the next Victorian Government to invest in sustainable solutions to build a system that ensures every Victorian receives the care they deserve, because Tomorrow's Care Starts Today!
During National Palliative Care Week, Flinders Street Station and the Melbourne Town Hall will be lit up in Orange and St Pauls Cathedral will have a billboard and digital screens with links to palliative care information for every Victorian to access.
We are inviting all Victorians to tell your palliative care story. Whether your experience is positive or highlights room for improvement, we need the voices of those who know best - people like you - to demonstrate the real impact of palliative care in our communities.
Your story can be about a moment, a challenge, or a vision for the future.
View a curation of the stories told so far: https://www.victoriapalliativecare.com/your-stories
About us:
Palliative Care Victoria is the peak body for palliative care and end-of-life care. Our vision is to ensure that all people with a life-limiting illness and their families are supported to live, die and grieve well.
