What’s your plan? Making end of life healthcare choices matter

During National Palliative Care Week, 11 to 17 May 2025, Advance Care Planning Australia is supporting the call for all Australians to consider – what’s your plan?

Dr Catherine Joyce, National Manager for Advance Care Planning Australia encourages Australians to start planning for their future health care to ensure good quality end of life care. Dr Joyce explains what advance care planning is and why it’s so important.  

“Advance care planning involves planning for future health care. If you were seriously unwell and unable to communicate or make decisions about your own health care, who do you want to make them for you? What would you want them to do?” 

“It might seem like an uncomfortable topic. However, planning for your future health care has benefits for you and for your loved ones. It gives peace of mind, knowing that you are prepared and your voice will be heard. It eases the burden for loved ones faced with making decisions on your behalf, reducing confusion, stress, and anxiety by giving them confidence that they know what you would have wanted.”

Advance Care Planning Australia, an Australian Government initiative, says the best place to start is a simple conversation.  

“During National Palliative Care Week, our friends at Palliative Care Australia are asking a simple, yet powerful question – what’s your plan?” said Dr Joyce.

“This is a timely reminder to make your future health care choices matter.  You can talk to your family, so they know what’s important to you. It may be the music that you love or the pet that you want by your side if you become critically ill and not able to communicate your preferences,” said Dr Joyce.   

As well as talking with loved ones, people can talk to their GP or health provider. This can be very helpful for people with a serious health condition to understand what kind of health care decisions might need to be made in the future.  

For free advice or to get a free starter pack, visit the Advance Care Planning Australia website or call the National Advance Care Planning Advisory Line on 1300 208 582 from 9am – 5pm (AEST/AEDT) Monday to Friday.  

Advance Care Planning Australia is an Australian Government initiative administered by Metro South Health, Brisbane.