Palliative and End-of-Life Care Policy Template for Aged Care
Every person deserves to die with dignity, comfort, and the people they love nearby. For aged care providers, a clear palliative and end-of-life care policy is both a compassionate obligation and a regulatory requirement under the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
This free template gives your facility a complete, ready-to-customise policy covering everything from early identification of palliative needs through to bereavement support for families.
Why an End-of-Life Care Policy Matters in Aged Care
Death is an expected part of life in residential aged care. Providers who lack a formal palliative care policy face inconsistent practice, poor symptom management, and significant risk of distressing deaths that do not reflect residents' wishes. A documented policy:
- Ensures all staff understand their role in identifying and responding to palliative care needs
- Supports advance care planning conversations between residents, families, and clinical staff
- Establishes clear protocols for pain and symptom management in the final days of life
- Protects residents' rights to die in the setting and manner of their choosing
- Provides evidence for ACQSC auditors of a systematic, person-centred approach
Strengthened ACQS Requirements for Palliative Care
Under the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, providers must demonstrate that clinical care responds to each resident's changing needs — including at the end of life. Standard 5 (Clinical Care) specifically addresses the assessment and management of symptoms in residents with life-limiting illness, while Standard 1 (The Person) requires that end-of-life preferences are documented and honoured.
What This Template Includes
- Purpose, scope, and policy statement
- Definitions (palliative care, end-of-life care, advance care directive, substitute decision-maker)
- Early identification and referral procedures
- Advance care planning process and documentation requirements
- Pain and symptom assessment and management protocols
- Environment of care — privacy, comfort, and family access
- Communication with residents, families, and the multidisciplinary team
- After-death care procedures
- Bereavement support for families and staff
- Roles and responsibilities matrix
- Legislation and standards references
- Review and approval section
Who Should Use This Template
- Clinical Managers and Directors of Nursing reviewing their end-of-life care framework
- Compliance teams preparing for ACQSC assessment visits
- Quality Managers updating policy libraries ahead of the July 2025 Strengthened ACQS full rollout
Download the Free Palliative and End-of-Life Care Policy Template
Instant access. Editable Word document. No credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between palliative care and end-of-life care?
Palliative care focuses on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life for people with life-limiting illness — it can begin at diagnosis and run alongside curative treatment. End-of-life care is the active support provided in the final weeks or days of life when death is expected.
Does this template cover advance care directives?
Yes. The template includes procedures for identifying, documenting, and actioning advance care directives and statements of choices in line with relevant state and territory legislation.
