End Of Life Palliative Care Training

Providing compassionate end-of-life care is one of the most significant responsibilities in aged care. This training guide prepares staff to deliver comfort-focused palliative care, recognise the signs of approaching death, communicate sensitively with families, and comply with their obligations under the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

Published

May 29, 2026

End of Life and Palliative Care Training for Aged Care Workers

For many Australians, aged care is where they will spend their final days. Providing compassionate, dignified end-of-life care is both a privilege and a professional responsibility. This training module prepares your team to recognise when a consumer is approaching end of life, deliver comfort-focused palliative care, support families through grief, and ensure that each person's final wishes are honoured.

What This Training Covers

Principles of palliative care and the palliative approach in aged care
Recognising the physical signs of approaching death
Comfort care planning — pain management, positioning and oral care
Supporting emotional, spiritual and cultural needs at end of life
Communicating sensitively with families and substitute decision-makers
Advance care directives — understanding and honouring them
After-death care — procedures and cultural considerations
Staff self-care and debriefing after bereavement

Key Learning Outcomes

Apply the principles of the palliative approach in daily aged care practice
Recognise physical, emotional and spiritual signs that death may be approaching
Provide effective comfort care aligned to the consumer's preferences and care plan
Communicate sensitively and accurately with families during this time
Access debriefing support after the death of a consumer

Who Should Complete This Training

All direct care staff, RNs, enrolled nurses and lifestyle coordinators. Particularly important for staff in high-care or low-ratio settings. Managers should ensure all staff have completed this training and that debriefing processes are available after each bereavement.

Alignment to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

Strongly aligned to Standard 5 (Clinical Care), which requires a planned, evidence-based approach to end-of-life care, and Standard 1 (The Person), which upholds the right of every consumer to have their wishes respected — including at end of life.

Ensure Advance Care Directives Are Accessible When It Matters

Governa ensures your facility's palliative care policies and advance care directive records are accessible to the right staff at the right time — and mapped to Standard 5 and Standard 1 of the Strengthened Standards.

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