End-of-Life (EOL) Pathway | VMCH

Supporting people who wish to remain at home during palliative care.

In summary:

• A dedicated End-of-Life (EOL) Pathway is included in the launch of Support at Home 
• Eligible participants will receive up to $25,000 over three months
• The EOL Pathway supports older people with a terminal diagnosis to remain at home during their final months.

One of the key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was that in-home aged care should offer better support for people who are nearing the end of life.

As part of this response, the Support at Home (SAH) program, launching on 1 November 2025, will introduce a dedicated End-of-Life (EOL) Pathway. This new initiative will support older people who have been diagnosed with three months or less to live and who wish to stay at home during the palliative process.

What does the EOL Pathway offer?

The EOL Pathway will provide the highest daily funding level under SAH. Eligible participants will receive up to $25,000 over a three-month period, with a total of 16 weeks to use the funds, offering greater flexibility for individuals and families during this time.

Who is eligible?

To access the EOL Pathway, the following conditions must be met:

• A doctor or nurse practitioner has advised an estimated life expectancy of less than three months 
• The person has an Australian-modified Karnofsky Performance Status (AKPS) score of 40 or less (a measure of frailty and mobility). 

How do people access the EOL Pathway?

• Existing SAH participants can access the EOL Pathway through a high-priority Support Plan Review conducted by an aged care assessor. This ensures they don’t need to undergo a full reassessment at an already difficult time 
• People not currently receiving SAH services will be referred for a high-priority aged care assessment to confirm their eligibility. 

What services are included?

It’s important to note that the EOL Pathway does not include specialist palliative care services. These continue to be provided through state and territory-based specialist palliative care systems.

Instead, the EOL Pathway is designed to complement existing specialist care by providing additional in-home aged care services, such as personal care, domestic assistance, respite and more - to help individuals remain at home with comfort, dignity and support.

VMCH is here to help.

VMCH is committed to walking alongside families at every stage of their aged care journey. Our compassionate care partners can support participants and their loved ones in navigating the EOL Pathway and ensuring services are aligned with their wishes and needs.Want to speak to someone about care at home? Get in touch for a warm, no-pressure chat with our team.