Day One | Tuesday, 17 March 2026
8:30
Registration Opens
9:20
Welcome to Country
9:30
Chairperson's Opening Address
Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia
Embedding Palliative Aged Care & Historical Insights
9:45
History of palliative care in aged care
From informal hospice origins to formal regulation: How have palliative care services in aged care evolved over the last 20+ years, and what are the persistent gaps we still need to close?
Looking ahead on what must change (e.g. earlier integration, workforce capacity, community settings), and what must remain (e.g. compassion, interdisciplinarity, dignity), to meet the needs of the next generation
Patsy Yates, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology
10:05
Harnessing data to embed palliative care
According to the National Palliative Care Measures report, many benchmarks are being met (e.g. pain, breathing, family/carer-problems) some yet to remain weak (e.g. fatigue, psychological/spiritual distress)
Gain insight into how providers can use this data for more informed decision-making: Targeting underperforming symptom domains, tailoring resourcing, monitoring equity, and aligning service models to what the data is telling us
Laura Bryce, Quality and Education Manager, PACOP, University of Wollongong
10:25
From knowledge to practice: Implementation in action
What are the most effective strategies for embedding palliative care into daily aged care practice?
Translating frameworks and guidelines into sustainable workforce and organisational change
Jennifer Tieman, Professor and Director of the Research Centre in Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Flinders University
10:45
Panel: Embedding palliative aged care
How do history, data, and implementation come together to create a sustainable palliative approach in aged care?
What are the key priorities for providers, policymakers, and educators over the next 20 years?
Moderator: Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia
Patsy Yates, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology
Laura Bryce, Quality and Education Manager, PACOP
Jennifer Tieman, Professor and Director of the Research Centre in Palliative Care, Death and Dying, Flinders University
11:20
Morning tea & coffee
Empowering Choice and Shaping the Future of Palliative Aged Care
11:40
The business challenges for aged care providers to implement palliative care in aged care
What are the critical operational, financial, and workforce barriers aged care providers face when embedding comprehensive palliative care, given that only 2.0% of residents were formally identified as needing it in 2021–22?
Gain insights on strategies to balance quality care delivery with resource constraints, regulatory requirements, and evolving consumer expectations
Tom Symondson, Chief Executive Officer, Ageing Australia
12:10
Consumer choice, person-centered care and human rights in palliative care
With Australia’s rapidly growing older population, how do we ensure palliative care continues to uphold dignity, choice, and the human rights of people in both residential and home care?
What does truly person-centred, consumer-driven palliative care look like in practice, and how can providers balance rights while working with limited staff, time, and funding?
Patricia Sparrow, Chief Executive Officer, COTA
Craig Gear, Chief Executive Officer, OPAN
1:00
Lunch
1:45
Understanding and embedding advance care planning
Advance care planning is more than a document — it’s about giving people a voice in their future care. How can we ensure older Australians and their families are supported to make informed choices about what matters most at the end of life?
Discover how ACP can reduce stress, guide families through difficult decisions, and create care that truly reflects personal values and wishes.
Dr Greg Parker, Director, Brisbane South Palliative Care Collaborative
2:15
National perspectives on ageing and palliative care
As a peak body, what are the emerging trends, policy priorities, and systemic challenges in palliative care across residential aged care in Australia?
Gain a national overview of sector needs, innovations, and opportunities for collaboration to strengthen care delivery
Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia
Chris Grice, Chief Executive Officer, National Seniors Australia
Concurrent Streams
**Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams**
Residential Aged Care
2:35
Legal realities of end-of-life decisions
Who signs, who decides, and who carries responsibility when families and providers clash over end-of-life decisions?
Gain clarity on legal frameworks and how providers can minimise risk
Ben White, Professor of End-of-Life and Regulation, Australian Centre for Health Law Research
3:05
Voluntary Assisted Dying
With VAD now legal in most states, how should facilities navigate diverse organisational values, family concerns, and resident rights?
Understand practical implementation pathways and the role of leadership in supporting choice
Dr Linda Swan, Chief Executive Officer, Go Gentle Australia
In-Home Care
2:35
Understanding Home Care pricing: Navigating change
With the rollout of the Support at Home program from 1 November 2025, providers can set their own prices for services, meaning there will be no strict government cap during the transition, though transparency and reasonableness are still required. How can providers ensure palliative care pricing remains clear, fair, and equitable for families?
See examples of best practice pricing models that deliver value and trust
3:05
Supporting grief and loss
How can home care providers sensitively recognise and respond to the emotional needs of clients and families experiencing grief and anticipatory loss?
Promote open discussion to normalise conversations about dying, improve preparedness, and better support grief and loss for both carers and loved one
3:35
Afternoon tea
Empowering Teams Through Skills, Support, and Innovation
4:00
Measuring training outcomes: Quality and impact in palliative care
How do organisations know if training is actually improving care quality?
Explore evaluation methods, staff competency audits, and linking training to resident outcomes
4:30
Addressing staff burnout and role expectations
How can providers prevent burnout when staff are expected to go beyond clinical responsibilities, including emotional support and follow-up with families after a client’s death?
What organisational strategies and wellbeing supports are needed to balance compassion, boundaries, and workforce sustainability?
Dr Gauri Gogna, Director of Palliative Care Service, The Wesley Hospital
Linda Cribb, Palliative Care Practice Lead, Uniting
Dr Jennifer Phillip, Professor of Palliative Medicine, University of Melbourne
Melissa Leahy, Chief People Officer, Bolton Clarke
Alethea Lee, Chief People, Property and Legal Officer, Southern CrossCare (NSW & ACT)
5:10
Chairperson’s closing remarks
Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia
5:15
Networking drinks
Day Two | Wednesday, 18 March 2026
8:50
Registration Opens
9:20
Chairperson's Opening Address
Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia
Embedding Excellence in Palliative and Aged Care: Oversight, Culture and National Perspectives
9:30
Keynote: Oversight and future directions in residential aged care
With ongoing reforms and an ageing population, how can aged care oversight ensure safe, high-quality palliative care for all residents?
Gain insights into the priorities, challenges, and future directions from the perspective of Australia’s aged care regulators
Natalie Siegel-Brown, Inspector-General of Aged Care
10:00
Panel: First Nations perspectives on aged care
How can culturally safe and community-led approaches be embedded in palliative and aged care to better serve First Nations people?
Learn from initiatives that combine cultural knowledge with care practices to improve outcomes and respect for community values
Andrea Kelly, Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner, Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Kim Whiteley, Chief Executive Officer, NATSIAAC
Dr Jill Gallagher, Chief Executive Officer, VACCHO
11:00
Morning tea & coffee
Concurrent Sessions
**Attendees can move between the sessions listed under the two streams**
Policy Stream: Frameworks, Regulation and Strategic Direction
11:30
Dementia and palliative care policy: Challenges and opportunities
How do current policies support or limit the delivery of high-quality palliative care for people living with dementia in aged care?
Gain insight into emerging policy initiatives, funding models, and strategies to ensure accessible care, including rural and regional areas
Kaele Stokes, Executive Director Services, Dementia Australia
12:00
Medicines and symptom control: Regulatory perspectives
Between 2016–17 and 2022–23, the number of palliative care-related prescriptions per person increased from 1.8 to 3.1. What does this growth reveal about the complexity of care needs, and how can regulation ensure safety without limiting access?
Gain insight into national frameworks, compliance requirements, and strategies for balancing rising prescribing rates with effective, safe symptom management in aged care
David Currow, Honorary Professor Palliative Care, University of Technology Sydney
12:30
Workforce development & capability: Policy implications
With palliative care training not mandatory in Certificate III, how can national policy and workforce standards ensure staff are equipped to deliver high-quality end-of-life care?
Gain insight into policy levers, accreditation frameworks, and education models that support a competent, sustainable palliative care workforce
Ceinwen Lawrence, Head of Quality Care, Governance & Engagement, Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT)
Practical Stream: Hands-On Approach, Clinical Care, and Operational Strategies
11:30
Optimising medicine use and symptom management
How can palliative care teams effectively implement medication plans to manage pain and distress while minimising side effects?
Learn practical approaches for medication review, monitoring, and interdisciplinary communication
Brian Le, Professor of Medicine, University of Sydney
12:00
Managing dementia in palliative care
How can staff effectively identify and manage pain and other distressing symptoms in residents with dementia, where communication barriers make symptom recognition difficult?
Gain practical strategies on improving quality of life, engagement, and effective symptom management
Angela Raguz, Head of Aged Care, The Salvation Army Australia
12:30
Optimising pain management in palliative care
With 1.4 million palliative care-related prescriptions dispensed in 2023–24, predominantly for pain relief (79%), how can clinicians effectively manage symptoms like pain, agitation, and nausea while minimising side effects?
Gain practical insights into evidence-based prescribing, interdisciplinary collaboration, and monitoring outcomes in both residential and home care
Dr Peter Allcroft, Senior Staff Specialist, Southern Adelaide Palliative Services and Clinical Lead, State Palliative Care Network
1:00
Lunch
Clinical Leadership and Excellence in Palliative Aged Care
2:00
Panel: Leading high-performing palliative care teams
How can leaders in aged care foster a culture of clinical excellence, collaboration, and compassionate care?
Explore strategies for inspiring interdisciplinary teams, improving decision-making, and embedding best-practice palliative care across residential and home settings
Moderator: Mary Chiarella, Professor Emerita, University of Sydney; Former Chief Nursing Officer, NSW Health
Dale Fisher, Chief Executive Officer, Silverchain
Susan Emerson, Board Chair, Palliative Care South Australia
Felicity Burns, Executive General Manager, Healthcare & hospitals, Hammond Care
Toni Donaghy, Clinical Excellence and Practice Development Lead, Uniting
2:40
The role of geriatricians in palliative and aged care
How can geriatricians lead and support high-quality palliative care in residential aged care, balancing complex comorbidities and end-of-life needs?
Gain insight into interdisciplinary collaboration, decision-making, and how geriatric expertise improves outcomes for older residents
Dr Elissa Campbell, Geriatrician and Chair, Palliative Care Western Australia
3:10
Training in action: From theory to bedside
What practical training approaches are most effective for embedding palliative care knowledge and skills?
Learn from case studies on simulation, on-the-job coaching, and interactive learning programs that improve staff competence and care quality
Dr Jennifer Phillip, Professor of Palliative Medicine, University of Melbourne
3:40
Chairperson's closing remarks
Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer, Palliative Care Australia
3:50
Closing of Forum