What does palliative care at home cost?

Key takeaways

• The cost of palliative care at home in Australia may be covered through the public health system and state or territory health services, Support at Home funding and private self-funding.
• Non-clinical support, such as personal care, domestic assistance and overnight support, may need to be arranged and funded separately through a platform like Mable.
• Self-funded support through Mable doesn’t require a referral or joining a waitlist. Families and clients can discuss and agree on rates directly with independent support workers on the Mable Platform.
• If the person who needs palliative care support has Support at Home funding, HomeMade, which is part of the same group as Mable, can help manage their budget to help them get the most out of it.

When someone you love is receiving palliative care at home, questions about costs may feel difficult to address. But understanding what care may cost, what government services cover and what your family may need to arrange privately can help make planning for this time easier.

In Australia, there isn’t one standard palliative care at home cost. The cost depends on a number of factors, including your family member’s needs and the services available locally.

Here’s how the main payment pathways work.

How much does palliative care at home cost in Australia?

The cost of palliative care at home depends on the type of care needed and how it’s funded.

Most specialist palliative care provided through the public health system is free, with Medicare covering most clinical costs. This may include specialist palliative care nursing, support from a palliative care team and advice on managing pain and symptoms.

Some out-of-pocket costs may still apply, such as GP visits that aren't bulk billed, medicines, equipment hire, dressings or private services.

Families may need to plan to pay for non-clinical support, such as personal care, domestic assistance, meal preparation and overnight support. These services may be funded through a Support at Home budget, paid for privately or arranged using a combination of both.

Who pays for palliative care at home?

There are 3 main funding pathways for palliative care at home:

1. Publicly through the health system using state or territory health services
2. Support at Home funding
3. Private self-funding.

Public health system

Specialist community palliative care is available through public health services across Australia, with access and services varying by location.

Services may include:

• Specialist palliative care nursing
• Specialist palliative care medical support
• Pain and symptom management
• Medication advice
• Support for family members.

Most specialist palliative care services are available at no direct cost. However, some GP visits, medicines, specialised equipment, dressings, treatments or private services may involve a cost.

The first step to accessing community palliative care services is often by getting a referral from your loved one’s GP or specialist. Some services also accept self-referrals.

Public palliative care may not provide all the day-to-day help someone needs. Personal care, cleaning, meal preparation and ongoing overnight support may need to be arranged separately.

Support at Home funding

Older Australians receiving Support at Home funding may be able to use their budget for services related to their assessed needs, including:

• Personal care, such as showering, dressing and personal hygiene
• Help around the home, such as meal preparation, cleaning and laundry
• Companionship and reassurance
• Respite for family members, which may include overnight support.

Participant contributions may apply to some Support at Home services, depending on the type of service and the person’s circumstances.

The person’s Support at Home classification and approved plan also determine how much funding they receive. Ongoing budgets are allocated quarterly, so the available funding may not fully cover an increased level of support during palliative care. In this case, paying privately for these services through Mable can fill that gap.

Support at Home also has an End-of-Life Pathway for eligible older people who have an estimated 3 months or less life expectancy and want to remain at home. Your loved one may be able to access around $25,000 over 12 weeks for their care needs. They can access this pathway whether they have Support at Home funding or not. A doctor or nurse practitioner must confirm that your family member meets the clinical eligibility requirements.

For people with Support at Home funding who want more control over how their budget is used, HomeMade's Self Managed service may be an option. HomeMade is part of the same group as Mable and offers different levels of support.

HomeMade also offers a Fully Managed service for people who want more hands-on help organising their support.

Private self-funding

Paying privately may suit people who aren’t eligible for Support at Home, are waiting for funding or need support beyond their available funding.

Through Mable, families can find independent support workers and nurses who can provide additional palliative care support at home, alongside your loved one’s clinical care. There’s no waitlist or referral needed and no lock-in contracts.

Mable’s platform doesn’t replace your family member’s GP, specialist palliative care service or other clinical health providers. But using practical supports through Mable may give you more time to spend with your loved one, rather than worrying about everyday tasks such as housework or preparing meals.

Through Mable, you can:

• Choose someone who feels right for your family. Search and compare support worker profiles using filters such as location, services offered, palliative care experience, qualifications and reviews.
• Contact workers directly. You can speak with support workers before booking to find someone whose experience and approach suit your loved one and family. Some workers also offer a free meet and greet before you book. This may be especially helpful when arranging palliative support, when personal fit and communication matter.
• Book with peace of mind. Independent support workers complete verification requirements before providing support on Mable including NDIS Working Screening, identity, reference and relevant qualification checks. Every support session booked and invoiced through Mable is covered by support worker insurances.

What can I expect to pay for support on Mable?

For families managing the cost of palliative care at home, knowing what support may cost upfront can make budgeting easier during a difficult time.

Independent support workers on Mable set their own hourly rates based on their experience, qualifications and the type of support provided. Nursing and personal care, for example, may be priced differently from domestic assistance or social support.

You can review indicative rates on support worker profiles and agree on rates directly with each worker before support begins. On average, self-funded care through Mable costs less per hour than through traditional aged care agencies, which may help a private care budget go further.

How do I arrange immediate palliative support while waiting for funding?

Palliative care needs can change quickly and your loved one may need extra help before government funding is approved or allocated.

Self-funded support through Mable can be put in place quickly. Signing up is free and once a credit or debit card is verified, bookings can begin. Card verification is usually completed within 2 business days.

To get started:

1. Sign up to Mable for free.
2. Search independent support worker profiles using filters such as location, qualifications, cultural background, gender and languages spoken.
3. Read support worker profiles and reviews, and then reach out to workers who may suit your loved one’s palliative care needs.
4. Agree on services, rate and support schedule.
5. Accept a service agreement with the worker and book support sessions through Mable.

Once your family member’s Support at Home budget is in place, they may be able to continue the private support they arranged while waiting for government funding, as long as their support plan includes those services and the relevant funding arrangements are in place.

What are the next steps for arranging palliative care at home?

Understanding the cost of palliative care at home is part of planning well for someone you love. Support may come from public services, Support at Home funding, private support or a combination of these options.

Mable makes it straightforward to find and book verified independent support workers for personal care, domestic help, meal preparation and overnight support.

If your loved one has Support at Home funding, HomeMade, which is part of the same group as Mable, offers Self Managed and Fully managed options that may help make the most of their budget.

To start exploring additional palliative care support, sign up to Mable for free and search for independent support workers in your family member’s area.