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.
For information, resources and events, visit palliativecare.org.au.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
The campaign
A National Palliative Care Week 2026 campaign supporter toolkit, campaign logos, social media tiles, posters and banners are available: here. There are three key campaign videos: What does living well really mean? What happens when you start the conversation? What help supports people live on their own terms?
National Palliative Care Week guest lecture
For more information about the National Palliative Care Week guest lecture – Rethinking Dementia and end-of-life care – and to register for the livestream on Thursday 14 May, 12.30pm AEST, visit the PCA website. A People of Palliative Care Story based on a recent interview with guest lecturer, Dr Michael Chapman, is available: here
National Palliative Care Week events happening across Australia include:
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PCA Connect education webinar ‘Celebrating 10+years of QuoCCA – advancing education in paediatric palliative care (12 May)
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NSW: PCNSW CALD Member Circle – iCanPlan Program (12 May), Parkes Volunteer Service community event (12 May), PCNSW Professional Education Day (15 May), PCNSW Community Conversation Day in Batemans Bay (19 May).
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VIC: Palliative Care Victoria Summit – Every Voice Counts: Collaborative Approaches to Palliative Care (15 May)
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QLD: Light up Queensland – iconic structures will turn orange in support of palliative care (10-16 May); Connect with PCQ team in King George Square (15 May)
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SA: NPCW SA Breakfast (13 May), Talk Listen Connect training (12 May), PalliLEARN online sessions on ‘What is palliative care’ and ‘what matters most to me’ (13 May), ‘Palliative Approach to Care’ workshop with PEPA educators (13 May)
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WA: Annual Palliative Care Sector Breakfast ‘Sunny Side Up’ (Perth, Bunbury, Albany and Karratha – 12 May), Advanced Care Planning Workshops in Bunbury and Nedlands (11 May), PalliLEARN session on palliative caring (12 May) and ‘Cup Half Full’ Grief Cafe in Wembley (14 May)
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TAS: Launch of PalliCaring Guide (12 May), Panel discussion tackling the big questions and real answers about palliative care (12 May), alongside mindfulness sessions.
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ACT: Shape the Future of Paediatric Palliative Care in the ACT roundtable (13 May), and Light Up Canberra Orange (12 and 14 May)
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NT: Visit the PCNT website for information about resources and support available in the Territory
About us:
Palliative Care Australia is the national peak body for palliative care.
Contact details:
PCA Interim CEO Simon Waring is available for interview upon request. Contact: Jillian Marsh in the PCA communication team on 0447034067 or email [email protected] and [email protected]
