National Palliative Care Week 2026 commences

Each day in Australia, more than 450 people die from a life-limiting illness and could benefit from palliative care, yet many still miss out or receive care too late. That is the message from Palliative Care Australia (PCA) whose National Palliative Care Week 2026 — supported by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing — runs from 10 to 16 May. This year’s theme — ‘Getting to the heart of it: Big Questions. Real Answers’ — encourages asking questions, earlier conversations and seeking out trusted information on palliative care.

“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,” PCA Interim CEO Simon 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?” Waring added: “National Palliative Care Week is about building understanding in the community and keeping the focus on delivering care when and where people need it.”

Campaign resources, including a support toolkit, videos and posters, are available here, via the PCA website.

Image credit: iStock.com/PeopleImages